Lazarus-like Leeds rewarded

Swans on the canal, Harvey Nicols on the high street, goals galore at Elland Road: there is definitely something stirring in Leeds. And while the city's football team may not yet possess the elegance of the cygnets or the sharp-suited exclusivity of designer fashion they have, nevertheless, moved some way down the catwalk from the days when they were sponsored by Burton's.

George Graham has been in control for just over a year now and it appears that he has his charges taking their first major bend in their stride.

Ultimately, Graham has so much faith in the youngsters coming through at Elland Road that the present team's main task is to keep a grip of the baton but they are doing so with white-knuckled commitment.

In his pre-match programme notes Graham had taken care to instruct that though all appeared to be going swimmingly, "we must not fool ourselves that everything is 100 percent right." After 33 minutes when Aljosa Asanovic cracked in a magnificently arrogant penalty to give Derby County a three-goal lead, Graham's statement that "perhaps this column should carry a warning logo" was prophetic.

At least by that stage Leeds had begun to get their act together following the howlers from Nigel Martyn that gifted Dean Sturridge a brace within 11 minutes.

Harry Kewell was looking lively and Lucas Radebe had shaved the woodwork but the third from Asanovic did seem to put the contest beyond Leeds.

"We probably scored too early," was Jim Smith's weary assessment and he was half right because after Rod Wallace rerouted Bruno Ribeiro's speculative shot past Mart Poom four minutes after Asanovic's goal, there was a tangible feeling that Leeds would eventually rescue the three points.

And when Kewell almost punctured the net with a shining volley shortly after, expectation replaced hope. For 42 minutes however, goals were not forthcoming, despite the fact that David Wetherall (twice) Wallace and Kewell all had the opportunity to rectify that situation.

Then, with 13 minutes to go, Graham sent on Hasselbaink. The local crowd favourite has been missing of late through suspension and non-selection but after Christian Dailly had been pushed by Wetherall into handling a corner Hasselbaink slid the penalty in with his ever-so-cocky first touch.

The giant screen then had the figure 90 on it when Hasselbaink delivered the perfect pass for fellow substitute Lee Bowyer to spank home the winner. It confirmed what the mute Swans have been thinking - something has stirred in Leeds.

Leeds United: Martyn, Maybury (Bowyer 45), Wetherall, Radebe, Robertson, Kelly, Haaland, Hopkin (Hasselbaink 77), Ribeiro, Wallace, Kewell. Subs Not Used: Harte, Beeney, Molenaar. Booked: Robertson, Haaland. Goals: Bowyer 90, Hasselbaink 82 pen, Kewell 40, Wallace 37.

Derby County: Poom, Dailly, Laursen, Carbon (Kozluk 52), Rowett, D Powell (Hunt 85), Carsley, C Powell, Asanovic (Trollope 83), Sturridge, Baiano. Subs Not Used: Willems, Hoult. Booked: Carbon, C Powell. Goals: Asanovic 33 pen, Sturridge 4, 11.

Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe).