Leeds United secured a UEFA Cup second round first leg victory at Elland Road against French club Troyes tonight but gave their opponents a life line by conceding two goals. Although Leeds should progress having put four past the French club tonight, with Mark Viduka and Lee Bowyer both scoring two apiece, the matter is not a foregone conclusion as manager David O'Leary would have hoped after Troyes striker Patrice Loko scored twice himself to ensure that all is still to play for when Leeds head to the continent in a fortnight's time.
Before the first whistle, Leeds were aware of the tough task in hand as Troyes came into tonight's game off the back of a 3-1 victory at domestic league leaders Auxerre at the weekend. However, Leeds dominated the opening stages and capped their possession with a goal from Viduka in just the sixth minute. Bowyer set up the Australian after he robbed possession from Samuel Boutal and the striker evaded three challenges before firing from the edge of the box past Heurtebis into the bottom right-hand corner.
Further efforts from Viduka and Eirik Bakke failed to find the net but Leeds suddenly found themselves 2-0 up after just 24 minutes when Viduka turned provider for Bowyer and the midfield star slotted home a 15-yard left-foot shot.
O'Leary's side were then guilty of losing their composure and allowing themselves to turn sloppy at the back when just after the half-hour mark, Nicolas Gousse split the defence, found Loko and the 31-year old easily went around the advancing Martyn before pushing the ball over the line.
On the stroke of half-time, Leeds were gifted their third goal when the linesman failed to call for an obvious offside against Viduka who headed home a flick from Bowyer after Robbie Keane crossed into the area. Their fourth arrived just 47 seconds after the re-start when Bowyer once again set up Viduka but the Australian's effort was pushed way by Heurtebis. Bowyer was on hand to take advantage of the loose ball and drove it past the stranded keeper and through the legs of two Troyes defenders for his second of the evening.
Troyes hopes of a comeback seemed to fade when they were reduced to ten men after Algeria international Medhi Meniri was shown a straight red card for elbowing Viduka. It should have signalled an onslaught from Leeds and while they created plenty of chances, they were guilty of some glaring misses also and ultimately paid the price when Troyes pulled back another vital away goal.
Eight minutes from time, Loko stole in between Rio Ferdinand and Martyn to fire home a Jermoe Rothen left-wing cross and give O'Leary plenty to ponder over the next two weeks.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
