Rogue One: A Paul Gascoigne Story

[RMJH4]

Will be fun to see that front two of Kewell and Hasselbaink again. And hopefully a young Jonathan Woodgate getting some real playing time.

Absolutely. Some really good young prospects and established players. Jimmy Floyd had too short of a stay with Leeds.

[kibaxx7]

Love the Daily Mirror frontpages and the (very retro) standings

[RMJH4]

Leeds United 1 - 1 Manchester United | Carling Premiership | Matchday 1



Honours even as goalkeepers shine in entertaining Yorkshire stalemate

The new-look Leeds United and defending champions Manchester United played out an entertaining 1-1 draw at Elland Road, with both sides showing flashes of quality in what could prove to be an early-season preview of bigger battles to come.

Terry Venables handed starts to several of his high-profile summer signings, including Paul Gascoigne, Paul Ince and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, while Alex Ferguson's side featured familiar stars such as Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Andy Cole.

Despite Leeds enjoying slightly more possession and creating the better opportunities throughout the contest, both goalkeepers produced impressive performances to ensure the points were shared.

The first half was played at a high tempo but neither side could find a breakthrough. Leeds looked the more threatening, with Gascoigne pulling the strings from midfield and repeatedly finding space between the United lines. Hasselbaink's movement caused problems for Gary Pallister and Ronnie Johnson, while Harry Kewell's pace kept Gary Neville occupied down the flank.

Manchester United struggled to create clear-cut chances but remained dangerous on the counter-attack through Giggs and Cole. Peter Schmeichel was called into action on several occasions to deny the hosts before the interval.

Leeds finally found the breakthrough five minutes after the restart.

Gascoigne, who had been the standout performer throughout the afternoon, collected possession just outside the penalty area before producing a moment of quality worthy of his reputation. The England international worked himself into space and fired beyond Schmeichel to send Elland Road into celebration.

The goal only increased Leeds' confidence and for a period it appeared Venables' men might pull away. However, champions rarely stay quiet for long.

Manchester United gradually worked their way back into the match and found an equaliser in the 66th minute. A flowing move through midfield eventually found Andy Cole, who showed his trademark composure in front of goal to level proceedings and silence the home crowd.

Both managers pushed for a winner during the closing stages. Ian Harte and Bruno Ribeiro were introduced for Leeds, while Paul Scholes replaced David Beckham for the visitors as Ferguson searched for fresh energy.

Leeds continued to enjoy the better chances, recording nine shots to United's five, but neither side could find a decisive breakthrough. Nigel Martyn and Peter Schmeichel both produced important saves late on to preserve the draw.

In the end, a point apiece felt a fair result after a competitive encounter between two sides with ambitions of challenging near the top of the table this season.

Team Lineups

Leeds United (4-4-2)
N. Martyn, G. Kelly, D. Wetherall, L. Radebe, D. Robertson, L. Bowyer, P. Ince (C), P. Gascoigne, L. Sharpe, J. Hasselbaink, H. Kewell

Substitutes:
I. Harte for L. Sharpe (45')
B. Ribeiro for D. Robertson (59')

Manchester United (4-4-2)
P. Schmeichel, G. Neville, G. Pallister, R. Johnson, D. Irwin, K. Poborsky, D. Beckham, R. Keane (C), R. Giggs, A. Cole, T. Sheringham

Substitutes:
P. Scholes for D. Beckham (75')

Player of the Match

Paul Gascoigne (Leeds United)

A relentless attacking presence who stretched Manchester United's defence throughout the afternoon. Capped a superb display with Leeds' opening goal and was at the heart of almost everything the hosts created.

Match Facts

52% - Possession - 48%
9 - Shots - 5
2 - Corners - 4
3 - Free Kicks - 4
0 - Penalties - 0
2 - Yellow Cards - 2
0 - Red Cards - 0

Goals

50' P. Gascoigne (LEE)

66' A. Cole (MUN)

[RMJH4]

[RMJH4]

Love the Daily Mirror frontpages and the (very retro) standings

Thanks man! Found somethig similar on facebook randomly and said I would do it!

[Caesar]

Scoring start to the season for Gazza. Can't complain there.

[Captain Canada]

Can't be too mad about that. Offense is slowly getting started. Drawing Man U ain't a bad start, especially with some of the guys they've got on that squad.

[RMJH4]

Chelsea 1 - 2 Leeds United | Carling Premiership | Matchday 2



Hasselbaink fires Leeds to vital three points at Stamford Bridge

Leeds United continued their impressive start to the season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, thanks to a clinical brace from summer signing Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

In a match packed with attacking talent, it was the Dutch striker who proved the difference between the two sides. Leeds may have just edged the possession of the ball over their hosts, but Terry Venables' men were ruthless when opportunities presented themselves, punishing Chelsea with two well-worked goals and leaving West London with a valuable three points.

The first half was a tightly contested affair. Chelsea enjoyed slightly more possession and looked dangerous through Gianfranco Zola and Gianluca Vialli, while Leeds relied on the creativity of Paul Gascoigne and the pace of Harry Kewell to threaten on the counter attack.

Nigel Martyn was called into action on several occasions, producing a couple of smart saves to frustrate the home side. At the other end, Ed de Goey was largely untroubled as both defences held firm during an entertaining opening forty-five minutes.

The breakthrough finally arrived nine minutes after the restart.

A sweeping Leeds move saw Harry Kewell find space in the middle before delivering a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Hasselbaink. The Dutchman needed no second invitation, calmly finishing beyond De Goey to give Leeds a deserved lead and silence the Stamford Bridge crowd.

Chelsea responded positively and gradually began to take control of possession. Their pressure paid off in the 62nd minute when former Manchester United striker Mark Hughes found the equaliser. The veteran forward reacted quickest inside the penalty area to steer the ball home past an on rushing Martyn and restore parity.

For a period it looked as though the match was drifting towards a draw. Chelsea were enjoying more of the ball and Leeds appeared content to absorb pressure before breaking forward whenever opportunities arose.

Then came the decisive moment.

With six minutes remaining, Paul Gascoigne produced the sort of quality that had persuaded Leeds to bring him back to English football. Kewell was moved to the left wing and Gascoigne was moved into the No 10 role behind Hasselbaink. He then picked up possession near the left touchline, Gazza skipped past his marker before driving towards the byline. Looking up, he delivered a superb left-footed cross into the heart of the penalty area where Hasselbaink rose highest to power a header beyond De Goey.

The Leeds bench erupted.

Chelsea threw bodies forward in search of a late equaliser, but Venables' side defended resolutely to secure a victory that could prove significant as the season develops.

The result moves Leeds up the table and continues the growing optimism around Elland Road following a summer of ambitious recruitment. With Gascoigne pulling the strings and Hasselbaink already finding his scoring touch, supporters are beginning to dream of a return to the upper reaches of the Premiership.

Team Lineups

Chelsea (4-4-2)
E. De Goey, S. Clarke, M. Duberry, F. Leboeuf, G. Le Saux, D. Petrescu, R. Di Matteo, D. Wise (C), G. Zola, G. Vialli, M. Hughes

Substitutes:
T. Flo for G. Vialli (73')

Leeds United (4-4-2)
N. Martyn, G. Halle, D. Wetherall, L. Radebe, D. Robertson, L. Bowyer, P. Ince (C), P. Gascoigne, L. Sharpe, J. Hasselbaink, H. Kewell

Substitutes:
B. Ribeiro for L. Sharpe (77')

Player of the Match

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Leeds United)

An incredibly clinical display from the Dutch striker, converting both of his opportunities to secure all three points for Leeds. His movement troubled Chelsea's defence throughout the afternoon and his late header ultimately settled the contest.

Match Facts

47% - Possession - 53%
5 - Shots - 8
3 - Corners - 4
3 - Free Kicks - 5
0 - Penalties - 0
2 - Yellow Cards - 1
0 - Red Cards - 0

Goals

54' J. Hasselbaink (LEE)

62' M. Hughes (CHE)

84' J. Hasselbaink (LEE)

[RMJH4]

[RMJH4]

Scoring start to the season for Gazza. Can't complain there.

Yeah was a great finish. He can still really get box to box. He missed a sitter in the first 13 minutes so was a relief to get that one.

Can't be too mad about that. Offense is slowly getting started. Drawing Man U ain't a bad start, especially with some of the guys they've got on that squad.

Yeah its pretty tricky so far. Getting to learn the players and how to get the most out of them. Utd really good. But playing Becks in the middle over Scholes was a strange one. Ince took him to the cleaners every time he had possession.