Leeds United look to have secured an unlikely place in the semi-finals of the Champions League following an emphatic 3-0 victory over Spanish Champions Deportivo La Coruna at Elland Road this evening. Goals from Ian Harte, Alan Smith and Rio Ferdinand gave David O'Leary's men an unexpected over their more-illustrious opponents with a performance that exuded style, passion and hard graft.
Republic of Ireland left-back Harte gave full warning of his renowned striking ability with an effort which tested the Deportivo 'keeper as early as the eighth minute, but there was no Leeds player on hand to capitalise on Francisco Molina's initial spill. With Olivier Dacourt, Lee Bowyer and Harry Kewell revelling in midfield United soon stamped their authority on the game, although the Spanish always looked threatening on the break.
Harte provided a brilliant cross-field ball from left to right for Bowyer just inside the edge of the area, and after an initial chest trap, Molina was forced to block the resulting shot at point-blank range. Harte then gave United the lead in the 26th minute when he struck home a trademark free-kick from the edge of the area after Smith had been brought down by Spanish defender Cesar. His typically vicious left-foot belter gave Molina no chance, and the Leeds players joined Harte in celebrating his eighth goal of the season by the corner flag.
Although Batty and Dacourt went close soon after, the home side had to wait until the 51st minute before confirming their territorial dominance on the scoresheet. Livewire Harte was once again involved, his inviting ball from the left found Alan Smith perfectly, and the local lad made no mistake with a firm header from close range.
Harte crowned an impressive evening with his second assist, when Valeron could only flick his 65th minute corner into the path of Rio Ferdinand for his first goal for Leeds and his first in four years. Despite the expected late surge from the visitors, United's defence held firm, to give the 36,000 crowd a memorable night and Leeds an excellent advantage going into the second leg in a fortnight's time.
Filed by Shane Murray
