Draw enough for Leeds

Leeds United AFC 2-2 Grasshopper-Club (Aggregate: 4-3) Harry Kewell scored a wonder goal at Elland Road to help send Leeds United AFC through to the fourth round of the UEFA Cup with a 2-2 draw against Grasshopper-Club and a 4-3 win overall.

Solo strike
The Australian, who along with club colleague Mark Viduka suffered a 3-1 play-off defeat to Uruguay in the FIFA 2002 World Cup, put his disappointment behind him with a sensational solo strike in the 19th minute.

Praise from O'Leary
It was a finish which recalled a golden period for the player 18 months ago when Kewell finished the 1999/00 season with 17 goals to his name and became increasingly linked to Europe's biggest clubs. Leeds coach David O'Leary praised the effort afterwards, describing it as a "special goal".

'Delighted for Harry'
However he made it clear that there should be more of that on a regular basis. "I was delighted for Harry but I want a lot more than that," said O'Leary, "and I thought he could have done more in the second half."

Sensational run
Gary Kelly's clearance was stabbed forward by Olivier Dacourt into the path of Kewell who embarked on a sensational 70-yard run. He beat Romanian Mihai Tararache and then Ronald Schwegler for pace before delightfully chipping the onrushing Peter Jehle. Kewell nearly added a dramatic second in the
28th minute, striking a fearsome left-footer which beat the goalkeeper only to skid off the crossbar.

Keane restores advantage
A combined blunder on the stroke of half-time by captain Rio Ferdinand and goalkeeper Nigel Martyn handed the Zurich side a temporary lifeline as Uruguayan Richard Nuñez found the net for his 20th goal in 26 games this season. However Robbie Keane immediately restored Leeds' advantage to give then a two-goal cushion at the interval.

Nuñez gets second
Danny Mills' through ball was dummied by Alan Smith which allowed Viduka to touch it on to the waiting Keane who beat Jehle in a one-on-one confrontation. The second half passed largely without incident until 90 seconds into injury time when Nuñez scored his second to deny United what would have been only their third win in the last ten outings.

'We were poor'
O'Leary added: "It was a poor match and we were poor. No disrespect to Grasshoppers but we should beat them well if we are going to do well in this competition. We can certainly pass better than that and I was disappointed with the two goals we gave away.''

Injury woes
The Irishman blamed a crippling injury list for the display and added: "I had to use what I had. Robbie Keane is not exactly a wide left player but we've so many players out. The plus point is that we have done the job and can put the competition to bed until February."

'They can do well'
Grasshoppers' coach Hans-Peter Zaugg said: "It was a bit like the game in Switzerland. We played well for the last 20 minutes and had three good chances. If we had scored the second goal 15 minutes earlier we would have had a chance of winning the game. We have lost to a good Leeds team and I think they can do well in this competition."