Leeds impress against Troyes

Viduka opened the scoring for Leeds

Leeds 4-2 Troyes

Two goals apiece for Mark Viduka and Lee Bowyer helped put Leeds in a commanding position after the first leg of their Uefa Cup second round tie against 10-man Troyes.

Viduka took just five minutes to open the scoring with a solo effort for the home side as he kick-started an exciting encounter at Elland Road.

Leeds were the dominant force and Lee Bowyer's 22nd minute shot added their second before Patrice Loko's well-taken effort provided Troyes with an away goal.

  Key incidents

5 mins: Viduka's solo effort puts Leeds ahead

22: Bowyer adds a second for Leeds

30: Loko's well-taken goal pulls one back for Troyes

43: A second for Viduka gives Leeds a two goal cushion

46: Bowyer's hard work is rewarded with a goal

49: Menieri is red carded for Troyes

81: Loko reduces the deficit for Troyes

Leeds should have been further ahead prior to Viduka's second three minutes before the interval.

This time the Australian forward had the simplest of headers at the far post after Bowyer had flicked on the hard-working Robbie Keane's cross.

Bowyer scored a minute after the re-start and the French team's cause was dealt another blow when Mehdi Meniri was red carded.

But a second Leeds defensive lapse saw Loko score a second for Troyes to give them a chance in the return leg.

Troyes had given an indication of a high-scoring game as early as the opening minute.

When you have teams by the throat you have to finish them off

David O'Leary
Leeds manager

It had taken a shot by Gharib Amzine, which was palmed away for a corner by Leeds keeper Nigel Martyn, to spark the home side into action.

And Viduka put his side into the lead when he jinked through the Troyes defence and scored with a shot from just outside the area.

Viduka, Eirik Bakke and Keane all went close before Bowyer - back from a three game European ban - increased Leeds' advantage.

Viduka's challenge in the area diverted the ball into the path of Bowyer and he struck a first time left-foot shot into the far post.

Menieri tackles Eirik but was later sent-off

A slip of concentration allowed Loko to pull a goal back for Troyes when the striker confidently rounded keeper Martyn and slotted in.

Leeds failed to capitalise on further chances and Samuel Boutal twice went close for the visitors.

Leeds took note of the warning and Viduka added their third.

Bowyer's industry culminated in a Viduka shot being blocked by Troyes keeper Tony Heurtebis.

But the impressive Leeds midfielder was on hand to score his second from the rebound.

And the problems were compounded for Troyes when Menieri was sent-off for elbowing Viduka.

Jerome Rothen saw a goalbound shot deflected wide by defender Rio Ferdinand but Danny Mills and Harry Kewell had chances at the other end.

Viduka could have completed his hat-trick only to shoot agonisingly wide with 10 minutes left.

Troyes were not spent as an attacking force and Loko converted an inswinging cross at the near post to provide what could be a second vital away goal.

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Leeds: Martyn, Mills, Ferdinand, Matteo, Harte, Bowyer, Bakke, Dacourt, Kewell, Keane, Viduka. Subs: Kelly, Woodgate, Robinson, Wilcox, Smith, Duberry, Batty.

Troyes: Heurtebis, Boutal, Olivier Thomas, Leroy, Meniri, Rothen, Bradja, Gousse, Amzine, Danjou, Loko. Subs: Sekli, Tourenne, Djukic, Niang, Hamed.

Referee: Fernando Mendez (Spain)