Foxes fightback denies Leeds

Viduka's inspired display not enough for Leeds

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Leeds 2-2 Leicester

A remarkable second-half comeback by Premiership strugglers Leicester denied Leeds victory at Elland Road.

David O'Leary's side looked certain to run out winners following a breath-taking first-half display of attacking football.

Harry Kewell scored early on and Mark Viduka doubled Leeds' advantage just after the interval to give the home side what seemed an unssailable lead.

But Dave Bassett's side had other ideas and late goals from Brian Deane and Jamie Scowcroft gave the visitors a much-deserved point.

The game got off to an explosive start and Leeds could have taken the lead with only 45 seconds gone.

  Goals

7 mins: Harry Kewell fires Leeds into the lead

58 mins: Mark Viduka converts Leeds second

78 mins: Brian Deane slots home from close range

88 mins: Jamie Scowcroft grabs Leicester's equaliser

Seth Johnson, who later had to withdraw, threaded the ball through to Viduka, who unleashed a powerful shot which Ian Walker did brilliantly to tip onto the crossbar.

Leeds' total dominance in the opening period left Leicester chasing shadows.

Penned into their half, Bassett's men were subjected to wave after wave of Leeds attacks.

We were two goals up and it was diabolical to give two goals away

Leeds boss David O'Leary

And it came as no surprise when Leeds scored with an exquisitely-worked goal.

Ian Harte's incisive pass found Viduka inside the Leicester area.

The Australian played a deft back-heel to Kewell, who fired a well-placed left-foot shot past the outstretched Walker.

Leeds' movement and build-up play in the first 45 minutes were of the highest order.

Tide turns

Viduka and Kewell were in inspired form - and the same pair combined for what would have been a contender for goal of the season had it stood.

Kewell's weighted header was controlled by Viduka who struck a stunning volley into the back of the Leicester net.

But the striker was adjudged to have strayed marginally offside, despite appearing to be level when the ball was played.

Viduka was at the fore of every Leeds' attack.

He set up Robbie Fowler with a golden opportunity for the former Liverpool player to open up his scoring account for his new club.

Fowler failed to find net

But Fowler took an age to dispatch his shot, still seemingly unfamiliar with his new surroundings.

In between the flurry of Leeds activity, Leicester striker Deane forced a world-class save out of Nigel Martyn but that proved the Foxes only real foray of the half.

After the interval, Leicester redressed the balance of play, putting the Leeds defence under some intense pressure.

They were denied a clear penalty after Danny Mills handled inside the area.

Deane, whose ariel threat caused Leeds endless problems, headed past Martyn only to be penalised for a foul on Dominic Matteo.

I always felt we could get something out of the game - it was great attitude by the boys at the end

Leicester striker Brian Deane

Leicester were then forced to suffer the consequences of their attacking approach as Leeds went straight back up field for Viduka to dispatch a well-deserved goal.

Gary Kelly crossed invitingly from the right and Viduka made no mistake from inside the six-yard area.

But Deane, arguably Leicester's best player, was rewarded for his endeavour 12 minutes from time.

Callum Davidson drove in a low cross which evaded the Leeds defence and Deane slotted home from close-range.

Then in the 88th minute, Leicester grabbed the equaliser as a four-man move ended with Scowcroft driving home his second goal of the season as Leeds fell asleep at the back.

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Leeds: Martyn, Mills, Ferdinand, Matteo, Harte, Kelly, Batty, Johnson, Kewell, Viduka, Fowler. Subs: Robinson, Wilcox, Bakke, Duberry.

Leicester: Walker, Sinclair, Elliott, Marshall, Davidson, Savage, Oakes, Izzet, Impey, Scowcroft, Deane. Subs: Flowers, Jones, Benjamin, Akinbiyi, Stewart.

Referee: R Styles (Waterlooville).