Smith sparks Leeds flier

Alan Smith (hidden) score the first for Leeds

Leeds United 2-0 Everton

Alan Smith over-shadowed the big-money arrivals at Leeds United and Everton to give David O'Leary's side a flying start to the new season.

Local youngster Smith lit up Elland Road with two first-half headers to give O'Leary another reason to celebrate signing a new six-year contract at Leeds.

Everton boss Walter Smith chose to leave his two high-profile summer signings Paul Gascoigne and Duncan Ferguson on the bench.

And he was left to regret his decision as Leeds effectively put the game out of Everton's reach before the interval.

Mark Hughes got the nod ahead of returning Everton idol Ferguson - and almost marked his selection with a goal inside two minutes.

I believe in the long run he will be a good player because he has all the attributes and it was good to see him take that on the pitch today because I thought he was outstanding

  David O'Leary on Alan Smith

He met a cross from Scot Gemmill with a trademark right-foot volley, but should have done better and failed to hit the target.

Leeds took full advantage of the let-off - and some woeful Everton defending - to take the lead after 15 minutes.

Lee Bowyer worked a short corner with Eirik Bakke, and his cross found Smith totally unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box to score with a stooping header.

And he found more space inside a packed penalty area to extend Leeds' advantage seven minutes before half-time.

Mark Hughes holds his head after early miss

Ian Harte's left foot volley from the edge of the area following a corner was brilliantly saved by Paul Gerrard, but Smith was on hand to score from virtually on the goal-line.

Everton new boy Alex Nyarko was fortunate to escape with only a yellow card for flattening Bakke in an off the ball incident that summed up his frustration, but referee Dermot Gallagher was in lenient mood.

Ferguson was finally introduced for the ineffective Stephen Hughes after 56 minutes, but it made little impression on the comfortable Leeds rearguard.

If we had had a more settled team we might not have made the errors that we did because after losing those two goals it was always an uphill struggle

  Walter Smith

And as time ran out, Gascoigne made an appearance with 16 minutes to go, replacing the tiring Mark Hughes.

Leeds, missing the injured Harry Kewell, seemed content to conserve energy in strength-sapping second half heat.

They almost paid the price when Francis Jeffers skipped around goalkeeper Nigel Martyn, but Leeds captain Lucas Radebe was on hand to clear.

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Leeds United: Martyn, Kelly, Harte, Dacourt, Radebe, Woodgate, Bridges, Viduka, Bowyer, Smith, Bakke. Subs: Huckerby, Robinson, Mills, Molenaar, G. Evans.

Everton: Gerrard, S. Watson, Pistone, Weir, Unsworth, Nyarko, S. Hughes, Ball, Jeffers, Gemmill, M. Hughes. Subs: Simonsen, Gascoigne, Max-Moore, Cadamarteri, Ferguson.

Referee: D Gallagher (Banbury)