Newcastle 0 - 2 Leeds Utd.

By Matthew Jones
September 12 2002

Leeds United returned to winning ways yesterday, with a fine 2-0 victory at Newcastle where Mark Viduka and Alan Smith scored at either end of an exciting match. Goals came four minutes into the game, and four minutes from the final whistle.

Leeds returned to winning ways with a fine 2-0 victory at Newcastle where Mark Viduka and Alan Smith scored at either end of an exciting match.

An early goal from Aussie front-man Viduka from a counter-attack that brutally exposed Newcastle's defence was added to in the dying moments by England hero Smith, but the action in between was absorbing stuff from both teams.

The home side, who welcomed Andy O'Brien, Shola Ameobi and Laurent Robert back into the line-up, fell behind after just four minutes of play.

Terry Venables' men, on the back of two straight Premiership defeats, broke down the left through Harry Kewell. He beat the Newcastle offside trap and shaped to take on Shay Given, but as the Irish keeper began to come out the Aussie cut the ball back to compatriot Viduka for an easy side-foot goal.

It was certainly not all one-way traffic and the home side had chances of their own, notably an Alan Shearer shot on the turn that was well saved by Paul Robinson.

French winger Robert was also in hungry mood and had one drive from distance well saved and one fly just over the crossbar, while Robinson also had to be alert to an Ameobi shot from close range as the young striker wriggled free in the box.

The second half saw Newcastle up the tempo further, with Nolberto Solano almost scoring with a drive across the face of the goal, then Shearer broke through some lax defending, but his lack of pace forced him to shoot early and Robinson saved comfortably.

Olivier Bernard put an excellent cross into the box which Ameobi could not get himself over and he put over the bar from just a couple of yards out, but although Newcastle could not equalise the action was hugely enjoyable to watch.

With 25 minutes to go Bobby Robson brought on Hugo Viana and Craig Bellamy, but it was Leeds who came close to another goal. Kewell jetted down the right wing this time, but his late shot was straight at Given who immediately picked himself up to deny Viduka on the rebound.

O'Brien bounced a header from a corner over the bar when totally unmarked in the box, then Robinson pushed a smart Solano drive over as Newcastle were now in total control.

But they were cruelly denied a share of the spoils as Leeds' resolute defending was rewarded by another goal on the break late on.

Smith drove the ball home after Lee Bowyer's shot had been blocked by Titus Bramble and the Whites held on for all three points - enough to put them third in the table.

Newcastle ended the day second from bottom as they maintained some breathing space between themselves and West Ham United, who lost 1-0 against West Brom.