English Premiership/ Leeds 4 Wolves 1: There is a long haul still ahead of Leeds United, but perhaps they are equipped with more perseverance than anyone had guessed.
Their gradual assumption of control in the second half last night was capped by Mark Viduka's deft turn and bruising shot in stoppage-time, a goal that saw them switch places with Wolves and move off the bottom on goal-difference.
Now they have to advance their position further with long overdue deeds. There has even been fighting talk from Viduka.
The martial declamations ought not to be necessary. Leeds continue, in theory, to have a better side than several clubs in comfortable positions, but the weighty talent seldom leaves much of an impression.
Leeds' run of six consecutive defeats that preceded this match had been initiated by a 3-1 defeat at Wolverhampton.
There is a subtle agony for Leeds supporters in detecting reserves of ability that too often go untapped. There was sparkle to Jermaine Pennant's runs at the outset of yesterday's game and, in the 14th minute, he manufactured a cross from a tight position on the right.
The boots of Viduka and then Alan Smith eased Steve Caldwell's header into the net. Smith's goal however, was not the cue for swaggering confidence from Pennant or anyone else clad in a white jersey.
Wolves equalised just seven minutes later. Carl Cort headed back a long ball from Alex Rae and the Romanian Viorel Ganea notched his second Premiership goal with a first-time, skidding drive from 20 yards.
Then goalkeeper Paul Jones, bought from Southampton in the transfer window to supply know-how, punched weakly at the header Smith applied to Didier Domi's free-kick and sent the ball to Dominic Matteo. The captain's finish diverted off Mark Kennedy to put Leeds in front once more.
Although the outcome was unpredictable, there was at least one constant. Any passer-by would have grasped immediately the source of Smith's popularity here. He is brave and insistent, showing a combativeness that never wanes.
He took one sore blow, after 57 minutes, to set up Viduka for a tricky opportunity that was lobbed high. Five minutes later, it was Smith's finesse that changed the character of the match.
Meeting Gary Kelly's throw-in with a flicked header, he turned his marker on the right and sent in the low ball that James Milner smacked home from close range.
Viduka then headed a Milner cross on to the bar with 15 minutes left, before the Australian wrapped up a rare good night for Leeds with a late goal.
Guardian Service
LEEDS: Robinson; Kelly, Caldwell, Matteo, Domi (Harte 45), Pennant, Bakke, Johnson, Milner, Smith, Viduka. Subs Not Used: Carson, McPhail, Lennon, Richardson. Booked: Bakke. Goals: Smith 14, Matteo 41, Milner 62, Viduka 90.
WOLVERHAMPTON: Jones; Irwin, Butler, Craddock, Naylor, Miller (Silas 62), Rae, Cameron, Kennedy, Cort (Iversen 77), Ganea. Subs Not Used: Oakes, Clyde, Gudjonsson. Booked: Cameron, Irwin. Goals: Ganea 21.
Referee: M Dean (Wirral).
