Leeds put their fear of First Division sides behind them this afternoon as
they avenged their 1994 3-2 FA Cup defeat by Oxford at Elland Road.
George Graham's side had been knocked out of the Cup by Portsmouth last season
and had failed to overcome Reading in the Coca-Cola Cup in November.
But goals from Lucas Radebe in the 17th minute, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the
45th and two from Harry Kewell (71, 72) helped secure Leeds' passage into the
fourth round.
The game was overshadowed, though, by two dismissals.
First to go was Oxford midfielder Martin Gray, sent off for two bookable
offences after two minutes of first-half madness.
Then in the dying seconds of the game referee Mike Reed again brandished a red
card to Leeds goalkeeper Nigel Martyn for a professional foul on Oxford
substitute Jamie Cook.
Republic of Ireland international Gary Kelly and Gunnar Halle both returned to
the Leeds side to replace injured Bruno Ribeiro and suspended David Robertson
respectively.
Oxford, meanwhile, were given the luxury of keeping the same side which had
earned a creditable 1-1 draw at Sunderland last weekend.
Leeds showed the first signs of menace after just two minutes, but Rod Wallace
could shoot only straight at goalkeeper Phil Whitehead from Robert Molenaar's
excellent through ball.
But the visitors were not going to be overawed, and centre-half Darren Purse
almost flicked home Joey Beauchamp's corner.
Leeds took the lead in the 17th minute when South African international Radebe
stooped at the near post to head home Kelly's in-swinging corner for his first
goal in 93 games for the Elland Road side.
Two minutes later, Purse crossed and Martyn had to be quick to smother as
Nigel Jemson closed in on goal.
But things began to fall apart for Malcolm Crosby's battlers when Gray began
his voyage to the early bath in the 31st minute, upending Irish under-21
international Alan Maybury.
It took just two more minutes for referee Reed to show the former Sunderland
man a second card, after Gray had foolishly clattered into Radebe.
As Oxford attempted to regain parity and revenge, Stuart Massey also found
Reed's notebook after an awkward challenge on Molenaar.
But just a minute before the break the anger Oxford had shown rebounded on
them.
Phil Gilchrist brought down Wallace in the area. After consultation with
his linesman Reed awarded the penalty, and Hasselbaink gratefully accepted the
opportunity.
Just 30 seconds after the interval, Wallace served warning to Oxford that they
were not finished in front of goal but his effort could only find the arms of
Whitehead.
The first division side spent the majority of the second half penned back in
their own territory, as wave upon wave of Leeds attacks broke out.
Hasselbaink should have hit his second in the 54th minute, but his strike had
none of the Dutchman's own strength and Gilchrist cleared off his own line.
Kelly crossed deep five minutes later, but Wallace could not connect and
Hasselbaink found Maybury's cross caught between his legs when he had only
Whitehead to beat in the 69th minute.
But then two goals from Australian wonder kid Kewell killed the game in two
devastating minutes.
In the 71st, the young Aussie toyed with the Oxford defence before flashing
home Leeds' third from the edge of the area.
Then 60 seconds later he completed a deft one-two with Wallace to strike
Leeds' fourth past Whitehead from 18 yards.
The scoring was now complete, but referee Reed had not finished.
In the dying seconds he found himself brandishing a second red card, to Martyn
who had brought down Cook a yard outside the area.
Teams
Leeds: Martyn, Maybury, Wetherall, Molenaar, Halle, Kelly,
Bowyer (Beeney 90), Radebe, Kewell, Wallace,
Hasselbaink (Harte 89).
Subs Not Used: Haaland, Hopkin, Lilley.
Sent Off: Martyn (90).
Goals: Radebe 17, Hasselbaink 45 pen, Kewell 71, 72.
Oxford Utd: Whitehead, Gray, Ford (Remy 61), Robinson, Purse,
Gilchrist, Massey (Angel 77), Smith, Powell, Jemson (Cook 83),
Beauchamp.
Subs Not Used: Wilsterman, Jackson.
Sent Off: Gray (33).
Booked: Gray.
Att: 20,568
Ref: M D Reed (Birmingham).
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