Leeds keep slim hopes alive by edging Man City 2-1
(sportinglife.com)
Updated: 2004-03-23 09:21

Leeds began their new era by rising off the foot of the Premiership on Monday night as Mark Viduka's controversial penalty saw off 10-man Manchester City 2-1.

Viduka stepped up to the spot 15 minutes from time to blast home his eighth goal of the season, taking Leeds to 19th place above Wolves and two points from safety - and only five behind City.

It was a surprising result considering the visitors' domination of the second half at Elland Road, with Nicolas Anelka going close to giving City the lead having equalised just before the break. Stephen McPhail put the home side in front with a curling free-kick on 23 minutes, the Irishman's first goal in four years.

The midfielder was 20 yards out on the right but his delivery curled over the heads of everyone in the box and crept inside the far post, despite David James getting a slight touch.

City then staged a lively comeback, Michael Tarnat hitting the post from a deflected free-kick before Anelka finished off a lovely move by striking Antoine Sibierski's lovely lay-off at the top of the box low into the bottom right-hand corner of Paul Robinson's goal.

Shortly after the restart, Robinson was fortunate not to concede when Sibierski connected with a Tarnat free-kick and the Frenchman then put Shaun Wright-Phillips through but the winger ballooned his shot over the bar.

But Leeds were in luck on 75 minutes when a Viduka flick put Alan Smith scampering through towards goal, only to go down with centre-back Daniel van Buyten behind him.

Referee Alan Wiley pointed to the spot and showed a straight red card to the Belgium international.

Although replays suggested the foul was committed just outside the area, Viduka was called upon to strike Leeds ahead - and he did so emphatically, blasting the spot-kick to James' right as the keeper went left.

Further chances came at either end for Sibierski and James Milner but the Whites hung on to edge closer to survival with nine games left, while City continue their indifferent form.

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