Leeds two steps ahead

LEEDS UNITED 2 EVERTON 0 A season pursuing the big prizes beckons for Leeds United and they made a winning start against Everton at Elland Road.

Alan Smith put Leeds in control with two close-range headers in the first half and, while David O'Leary's side never touched any great heights in the second half, the victory will have given them a useful injection of confidence ahead of the second leg of their crucial Champions League qualifier against 1860 Munich on Wednesday.

With manager David O'Leary and his young star Harry Kewell agreeing new long-term contracts in the lead-up to this match, there is reason to believe the air of opening-day optimism will linger longer at Elland Road than at most clubs.

To the impressive foundations laid by O'Leary over the past two years, he has added Mark Viduka and Olivier Dacourt and this was the pair's first Premiership run-out in Leeds colours.

Viduka, scorer of 25 goals for Celtic last season, has been bought to add physical presence to the Leeds attack and he joined Smith and Michael Bridges in a front three. He made a quiet start here, save for a couple of clever touches that sent colleagues clear and a fierce late header that brought a finger-tip save out of Steven Gerrard. His fellow new boy Dacourt, meanwhile, was neat and industrious. Dacourt - a player whose combative approach belies a classy touch - could prove crucial to the Yorkshire side's cause given David Batty's long-term injury and Lee Bowyer's impending court case.

It was fitting that Dacourt's debut should come against his former club Everton, and fitting too that he should lock horns with Alex Nyarko, his colleague in the Lens engine room last year, and one of the new men in the Everton midfield. Whereas O'Leary was able to complement his squad with new signings, Everton manager Walter Smith was forced to spend the summer reconstructing his midfield after the defection of Nick Barmby (a scorer in this fixture last year), Don Hutchison and John Collins. While the arrival of Gascoigne was Smith's most publicised purchase, Nyarko could prove his most important. The Ghanaian looked an assured figure, keeping the ball moving around the Everton midfield.

As for Gascoigne, he and the newly returned Duncan Ferguson had to wait until after the break for their chance to impress.

The former England midfielder's most notable contribution after coming on in the 74th minute, however, was a late challenge on Eirik Bakke that put the Leeds man out of the game.

Despite not having won at Elland Road since 1951, it was Everton who started the more confidently. Mark Hughes missed a glorious opportunity inside the second minute when Scot Gemmill's cross from the right fell to him in a central position just 10 yards from goal. Hughes unleashed one of his trademark volleys but the Welsh veteran lacks the accuracy of old and the ball flew over the crossbar.

David Unsworth went close, curling a free-kick on to the top netting after Dacourt fouled Mark Hughes 25 yards from goal.

It was Leeds who drew first blood from their first corner of the match on 16 minutes. Ian Harte played a short ball to Michael Bridges and his cross was headed home by Alan Smith from eight yards.

On 25 minutes, Unsworth curled another free-kick just inches wide after Mark Hughes, not the most appreciated figure at Elland Road but linking the play effectively, was fouled by Radebe. That was it from Everton as an attacking force for the half, although Steve Watson and Nyarko picked up bookings. Watson narrowly escaped the embarrassment of an own goal on his debut when his attempt to stop Bridges reaching a Dacourt pass ended with him poking the ball past his own keeper and just past the far post. The reprieve was just temporary, however, as Leeds made it two from the resulting corner on 36 minutes.

Again Smith was the scorer and Harte the supplier. Harte played the ball out to Gary Kelly on the edge of the area, Kelly firing a thunderous volley goalwards. Gerrard got a hand to the shot but could only palm the ball on to the head of Smith.

On 57 minutes, Everton manager Smith sent on Ferguson in place of midfielder Stephen Hughes, the big Scot taking the field to a rousing reception from the Everton contingent.

Shortly afterwards, in a further attempt to pep up his attack, American international Joe-Max Moore replaced Mark Hughes, forming a three pronged attack with Ferguson and Jeffers.

Leeds lacked fluency after the break while Everton enjoyed some good possession. There were half-chances at both ends with Everton coming closest when Ferguson sent Jeffers racing clear on 76 minutes.

The young striker rounded Martyn but his low effort was cleared off the line by Lucas Radebe.

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