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BRADFORD NEWS
Picture Halle holds back McCall after a bust-up with Myers.

BANTAMS BATTLES TOO CLOSE TO HOME

By Ian Parkes, PA Sport

Bradford boss Jim Jefferies will not be taking any internal disciplinary action against skipper Stuart McCall and defender Andy Myers following their on-the-pitch bust-up during the 6-1 debacle at Leeds.

City's miserable season completely unravelled at the seams on the stroke of half-time when McCall and Myers were involved in an unseemly brawl on the edge of their own area.

At one stage it appeared as if Myers had thumped McCall in the face, with former Leeds full-back Gunnar Halle forced to intervene and break up the feuding duo.

McCall later departed from Elland Road with stitches in a gash below his left eye, although claimed it was an earlier elbow from Mark Viduka which had caused the damage.

Jefferies, however, revealed both players shook hands during the interval, one into which Bradford headed 5-1 down following a first-half mauling.

"It was just a bit of passion and frustration which spilled over at the end of what was a nightmare first half," said Jefferies.

"We weren't getting it together on the pitch and there were so many things happening, which eventually boiled over.

"We sorted it out at half-time and they got on with the game after that and as far as I'm concerned that's the end of the matter. There will be no action taken by the club."

When asked whether he had seen the incident, Jefferies said: "I saw some pushing and shoving and at first I thought someone was involved with one of the Leeds players.

"But then I saw there was a bit of close contact and heads bobbing backwards and forwards, but it was all sorted out and we then went on to play much better in the second half.

"Obviously there were a few frustrated things said at half-time because some of the goals we conceded were just ridiculous and we had to point the finger.

"Maybe if we had fought with the Leeds players rather than amongst ourselves then we might have done better in the first half."

Viduka's 22nd goal of the season - and his 17th in the Premiership - in the 14th minute sparked the rout, with a trademark Ian Harte free-kick making it 2-0 just five minutes later.

Bradford managed to swiftly pull one back through Ashley Ward, but were then overrun as first Eirik Bakke, Harry Kewell and Alan Smith ensured it was a five-star performance in the first period.

Although the Leeds fans started chanting 'We want 10' that never materialised and it was not until five minutes from time that Lee Bowyer added the sixth.

But the stunning win means there will now be a grandstand finish on the last day of the season.

Leeds, Liverpool and Ipswich are all chasing the final Champions League place, with United desperate to return after their heroics in the competition this season.

With just one match remaining, Leeds now trail Liverpool by a point and are level with Ipswich, although following this victory are now four goals better off than George Burley's side.

Jubilant Leeds boss David O'Leary said: "I asked for goals and that's what I got, so I'm delighted.

"I was delighted with the attitude shown by the players and the football we played and this was a great way to bounce back after our semi-final defeat in the Champions League to Valencia.

"We've now given ourselves a chance of being in the competition again next season, one in which we've not had an ounce of luck, so it would be lovely to get a crumb next Saturday.

"It was important for us to win today and take it to the last game. We've nailed that on and so now we go on to Leicester.

"Obviously the players were a bit down and disappointed after what happened in Valencia, but I demanded we take six points out of six in our last two games to finish the season on a high.

"We've got three and hopefully we can get another three on Saturday. We've just got to win and then hope Charlton do us a favour against Liverpool."

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