You are meant to avoid cliches like the plague in this job but, watching Leeds United last night, it was difficult to dismiss the image of them as mountaineers conquering a vast continental ridge such have been their phenomenal achievements in Europe this season. Having seen off Italian champions Lazio, Belgian champions Anderlecht, as well as eliminating Barcelona and AC Milan, in this their 15th European game of the season, they accounted for the champions of Spain with a performance every bit as persuasive as Bayern Munich's at Old Trafford on Tuesday - perhaps more so given Deportivo La Coruna's reputation.
The Spaniards did not truly set about justifying it until the last seven minutes. Then they had three shots on target and Leeds were flapping for a first time. In that short spell, however, Deportivo gave Leeds an insight into the kind of pressure they will be under in Galicia in 12 days. "Miracles exist in football," said manager Javier Irureta. Ian Harte was probably thinking much the same thing. Harte opened the scoring in the 26th minute with a devastating freekick, his eighth goal of the season, and supplied the secondhalf centres from which Alan Smith and Rio Ferdinand added more. It was Ferdinand's debut goal for the club. His tackling was even better.
"Pure, pure quality," said David O'Leary of his display. "I'm delighted, but it's halftime, we've got to finish the job now. The main thing tonight was not to concede a goal." That proved to be the least of Leeds's achievements. Indeed, for 90 minutes all thoughts of Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate's trial were forgotten. Today should reveal whether either will be available for selection in Spain. Last night, once again Bowyer successfully made the trip from the courtroom. Once again, Woodgate did not.
Attention has naturally focused on the disruption caused to Leeds by the trial, but their opponents last night were under comparable strains in terms of injuries. Five important players were missing and in the return they will also be without Emerson, suspended after receiving a booking for a 22nd-minute foul on Olivier Dacourt.
Leeds were already flowing by then. The initiative had been seized early and it was mainly in the shape of Harte and Harry Kewell. Harte indicated his form with a 12th minute crossfield pass to Bowyer of sensational power and accuracy - it was almost as good as his goal - that had Bowyer behind the Spanish defence and closing in on 'keeper Francisco Molina. Then Kewell shimmied past Pedro Duscher and Manuel Pablo before striking a half-volley over. Deportivo had been shown the possibilities.
They were to be made fully aware in spectacular fashion shortly after. When Smith was brought down by Cesar on the edge of the area, Harte stepped up to drill in a superb free-kick. The ball practically tore through Molina such was its ferocity.
Leeds, already buoyant, were lifted by that and Deportivo had few answers to the quality of their movement. David Batty, who scores about once an era, then forced Molina into a diving save with a 25-yard volley and before half-time Dacourt put a deflected shot wide. In the 44th minute, Smith made a meaty connection to a beautiful Kewell centre with a diving header. The ball flashed past the post.
Five minutes into the new half, Leeds re-asserted their authority when Smith won a corner with a diagonal shot which Molina tipped aside. The corner was cleared initially, but Dacourt collected the ball and slid between defenders into the path of Harte. Close to the byeline, Harte delivered the kind of cross forwards' dreams are made of. Smith met it with a bullet header. Two-nil.
Harte then skimmed a post with another brilliant direct free-kick and in the 67th minute delivered a corner that the Deportivo defence collectively misjudged. Molina saw it fly over his head after substitute Valeron managed a flick. It came to the far post where Ferdinand re-directed the ball back into the roof of the net.
"Three-nil to the weakest team," roared Elland Road, a reference to a comment from Deportivo on Tuesday. Another Leeds flag had been planted on another European summit.
LEEDS: Martyn, Mills, Harte, Ferdinand, Matteo, Bowyer, Dacourt, Batty, Kewell (Wilcox 84), Smith, Viduka. Subs Not Used: Robinson, Kelly, Bakke, Burns, Maybury. Booked: Matteo, Batty, Dacourt. Goals: Harte 27, Smith 51, Ferdinand 66.
DEPORTIVO: Coruna: Molina, Manuel Pablo, Romero, Noureddine Naybet, Cesar, Scaloni (Tristan 72), Emerson, Duscher (Valeron 55), Fran (Pandiani 71), Djalminha, Makaay. Subs Not Used: Songo'o, Devila, Victor, Fernando. Booked: Emerson.
Referee: Gilles Veissirtr (France).
