Leeds beat Bolton Wanderers 3-0 tonight at the Reebok Stadium to end a recent run of abysmal form and give under-fire manager Terry Venables a lifeline.
Early goals from Danny Mills and Robbie Fowler, making his first start since his hip injury, and a clincher from Jason Wilcox moved the Yorkshire strugglers, knocked out of the UEFA Cup by Spain's Malaga last Thursday, five points clear of the drop zone.
Second-bottom Bolton began the brighter but Leeds survived some early scares and went in front on 12 minutes when Mills curled a left foot shot in off the underside of the crossbar after playing a neat one-two with Harry Kewell. Mills, having broken his scoring duck for the season, immediately rushed to the Leeds bench to celebrate with Venables.
Three minutes later Leeds went two goals to the good as Bolton's Finnish keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen allowed a flighted Ian Harte cross from the left bounce up against the crossbar after defender Bruno Ngotty let the ball go over his head. Kewell headed goalwards only for Jaaskelainen to parry the ball but his strike partner Fowler, rushed back to first team action in the absence of the suspended Alan Smith and the injured Mark Viduka and Michael Bridges, poked home the rebound.
Bolton’s French midfielder Youri Djorkaeff saw his 25th minute penalty saved by Paul Robinson after referee Graham Poll awarded the kick for a handball by Republic of Ireland international Harte.
Bolton’s woes continued in the second half. Gary Kelly almost added a third for Leeds in the 48th minute, whipping in a shot that went narrowly wide of the post. Leeds kept up the pressure and Harte rattled in a 20-yard free kick that Jaaskelainen only cleared at the second attempt. Tofting almost pulled a goal back in the 64th minute when his 25-yard volley went just inches over the top.
Venables elected to leave midfielder Lee Bowyer on the bench after the player was vilified in the media for stamping on a Malaga player in Leeds' UEFA Cup exit. Bowyer was not missed, however, as Wilcox crashed home the third goal with a venomous strike as he cut in unchallenged from the left flank.
Leeds got the victory they craved and the gutsy manner in which it was achieved suggested Venables will win sufficient time to turn the ship round. Bolton, however, remain rooted in the relegation zone and face a bleak Christmas.
Filed by James Boylan.
