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In the end we went back to the top with a fairly comfortable win against shite opposition. However there were times in the second half when Leeds needed a second goal to kill of an increasingly confident Derby side.
I was worried that after two successive 0-0 home draws against the Rams we'd spend a frustrating 90 minutes trying to break down their 11 man rearguard. My concerns were misplaced.
The best possible thing happened. Ravanelli wound the Leeds fans up in the first 5 minutes by ludicrously feigning an injury. This in turn got the Leeds players fired up and before we knew it we were 1-nil up. Bakke flicked in Harte's corner with a towering header at the South Stand end. A minute earlier Derby had the ball in the Leeds net after Martyn and Rio kicked it against each others shins several times and it rolled into the corner. Luckily Ravanelli's ample belly was in an offside position and how can anyone with such lovely silver sparkly hair not be interfering with play ?
Ravanelli charged after the referee to complain. He should have been booked and kicked in the bollocks for good measure. So poor old Derby had to revert to Plan B (attack) at an early stage. Christie caught the eye with some neat touches and clever running but the fat lump Ravanelli beside him simply couldn't be arsed. Thankfully.
Leeds played some reasonable football but a second goal never really looked forthcoming before the break despite Millsey's ravaging forays into enemy territory.
Leeds got a free kick on the edge of the box. Derby argued, the ball was moved forward a further 10 yards, the wall only went back about 3 and no wonder Harte couldn't quite squeeze his free kick through them.
At half time Paul Reaney (a Leeds great from 30 years back) when asked by the man with the microphone, said that he thought Viduka and Keane were shite. Not his exact words but that's what he meant. The crowd knew though.
Derby started the brighter in the second half and strangely Kinkladze, our tormentor at Pride Park last season, remained on the bench. A game of attack v defence ensued. Derby threw men forward and had an attack. Rio or Batty won the ball and Leeds broke and all ran forward and had an attack. Invariably Kewell lost the ball and Derby started the whole process over again. Quite interesting to watch but a coach's nightmare.
Matteo had a few mad minutes that could have proved crucial. Christie left Dom for dead with a neat turn and I can only assume that faced with a one-on-one against Martyn the young Derby striker's bowels could not cope and he messed himself. The ball dribbled tamely to Nigel. Martyn asked for a towel to wipe down the ball, Christie asked for some spare underpants.
Ravanelli outmanoeuvred Dom but the danger was soon snuffed out. Minutes later Ravanelli planted a free but angled header narrowly wide. Leeds breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Kewell picked up the ball and faced with 8 men beat the first 5 by cleverly pushing it and running. He then lost it. Half the crowd were exasperated but the other half revelled in the initial piece of acceleration that got him clear of half the opposition. The Kop sang his name. He was visibly lifted.
The next time birthday boy Harry (23) got the ball he took the defender on but instead of stopping and beating him again (and failing) he actually shot and the ball pinged off the far post and into the net. So simple you wonder why he doesn't try it more often. Derby were finished. Absolutely and utterly finished. Mills and Bowyer combined down the right and Bowyer's cross saw Kewell force the advancing Viduka out of the way (by god Harry must be a strong lad) and powerfully nodded the ball home from 8 yards. A beauty. Viduka must have thought the earth had moved. Kewell could hardly believe it. The crowd certainly couldn't. A miracle had happened. Dog shit had been turned into gold. Not even Jesus could have contemplated that.
Leeds then played keep ball and created 2 wonderfully crafted chances that both Keane and Bowyer could have had goal of the month contenders with. Both chances were brilliantly saved by the Derby keeper. It would have been a good time to use our subs and rest a few legs in preparation for Thursday's important and tricky UEFA tie but O'Leary had superglued them all to the bench. Presumably it was punishment for them laughing at his turned up nose and cheap Top Man suit.
Scores
Martyn 7 - One real save to make from Christie and did it easily. Kicking was good but played Harte into trouble once.
Mills 8 - Back to his best. Went forward very well and took on their defence both on the inside and the outside. Good crossing too. Pity he's so bald at his tender young age.
Harte 6 - Hasn't got the legs to do what Mills does. Its a shame he's so crap apart from free kicks every now and then.
Rio 9 - Didn't put a foot wrong. Never hurried and always supreme control. Sheer class.
Matteo 7 - had a few mad minutes when he let Christie through and then Ravanelli. Otherwise looked pretty solid.
Batty 8.5 - played a blinder gave Bakke the chance to advance with the ball. Won every loose ball going.
Bakke 7.5 - One of his best games for Leeds. After seeing Gary Kelly look a complete mug in the midfield last week it was obvious just how much we've missed Eirik's cover.
Bowyer 6 - looked a bit rusty. Passing is still far too sloppy and although he ran well near the end he had a pretty plop game by his high standards. He seems to hate playing out wide.
Kewell 8 - A very high mark considering he had a shocking first 70 minutes but 2 goals more than made up for it. Hopefully his confidence will have rocketed now. Happy Birthday H.
Viduka 6.5 - Needs a goal or two. Maybe he could shoot more often just like Kewell did for his 1st goal.
Keane 5.5 - cannot be faulted for effort but far too often lost the ball too easily. Needs to be on the bench ideally. Looks overpriced at 12 million. Looks overpriced at 25p.
Subs
All shite so none of them used.
Report by Stotty
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