Leeds undone by Defoe

Leeds finally bowed out of the FA Cup but not without putting up another tremendous fight against Premiership opposition.

Leeds made two changes to the side that beat Colchester United at the weekend.

Bradley Johnson and Andy Hughes replaced Shane Lowry and Gary McSheffrey who were both ineligible.

Spurs had a great chance in the first minute after a poor defensive header by Hughes. Defoe pounced on the header and his shot beat Ankergren but Naylor was on hand to clear the ball.

Howson had Leeds first site of goal but his long range effort went wide.

Bassong really should have done better for Spurs when he found himself in plenty of space six yards out, but his weak effort missed the target.

Spurs had started the game in similar fashion to the first game at White Hart Lane and Defoe shot just wide with Ankergren rooted to the spot.

Beckford hit the bar with a close range header soon afterwards but the whistle went for a foul on goalkeeper, Gomes.

Defoe had another fantastic chance when clean through on goal but Ankergren stood tall to deny the England striker.

Soon after and Ankergren pulled off an even better save when Bromby deflected a cross towards goal and the big Dane reacted quickly to save on the line.

Ankergren thwarted Defoe once again when the strikers hard shot was to close to the Leeds keeper.

Defoe finally found the back of the net and there was a touch of fortune about it, a good run down the wing by Bentley found Defoe in the middle with a body of Leeds players blocking his sight on goal.

His shinned effort spun into the top corner of the net, in possibly the only way it could get through the Leeds back line.

Leeds came straight back at Spurs and a glancing header from Michalik was excellently saved by Gomes.

Bromby was the next to be denied when Dawson excellently blocked his shot.

Johnson was next to try his luck but his long range effort was straight at Gomes.

Leeds had responded fantastically to going behind and equalised in the one minute of added time at the end of the first half.

Snodgrass whipped in a corner which was only half cleared, Michalik hooked the ball back into the middle and Beckford outstretched boot forced Gomes into a fantastic save. The ball fell nicely to the on rushing Becchio and he tapped into an empty net.

A fantastic first 45 minutes of FA Cup football had been played with the tie still finely balanced.

Spurs started the second half on the front foot and Crouch had their best early chance but he couldn`t guide his shot into an open goal.

Beckford had Leeds first sight on goal in the second half but his shot was deflected just wide for a corner.

Becchio was next to try his luck but his effort was also deflected wide for another corner.

Ankergren then made a great save from Dawson after the defender had got in front of his marker to head on target.

Ankergren had to be on his toes again soon after when he tipped over a fierce shot from Bentley who was giving Leeds a torrid time down the right hand side.

Defoe thought he`d put Spurs back in front after a very slick Spurs move found him inside the six yard box but the linesman`s flag was up for offside.

Defoe did finally get his second goal when a pinpoint cross from Bentley found him inside the area and he steered his shot past Ankergren.

Crouch almost made it three but his header hit the top of the bar after a good cross from Kranjcar.

Leeds best chance to equalise fell to Bromby but he headed over from a Howson free kick when he was well placed.

Defoe wrapped up the game and got his hat trick in injury time with Leeds pushing forward for an equaliser.

A Leeds free kick was cleared up field, Defoe found himself one on one with Ankergren, and he coolly went round the keeper to wrap up the game for the visitors.

Leeds finally bow out of the FA Cup but have given the Leeds fans some fantastic memories in the competition this season, nobody will ever forget the win at Manchester United or the draw at Spurs.

They can now go back to concentrating on winning promotion back to the Championship.



Teams

Leeds
Ankergren, Bromby, Naylor, Michalik, Hughes, Snodgrass, Doyle, Howson, Johnson, Beckford, Becchio
Subs
Martin. D, Crowe, Grella, Robinson, Somma, Hatfield, White

Spurs
Gomes, Coluka, Dawson, Bale, Bentley, Huddlestone, Jenas, Kranjcar, Defoe, Crouch,
Subs
Palacios, Modric, Rose, Alnwick, Dervite, Parrett, Fredericks

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