The Times, Sunday Times and Telegraph now seem to require registration to view articles on their sites, with the Times and Sunday Times charging readers outside the UK. The Times/Sunday Times has also moved some of the older articles into an archive which requires separate registration and requires you to pay to access the content. The Independent now charges for access to articles more than a week old. Stalemate leaves Leeds no nearer the Euro-zone - David HoppsCopy from Football Unlimited of
25/02/2002.
A goalless draw in the Uefa Cup in Eindhoven which brought fleeting promise of a Leeds United resurgence was promptly followed yesterday by another Premiership stalemate that destroyed such imaginings at a stroke. On this evidence Leeds are going nowhere, certainly not to the Champions League. They now trail Liverpool, in fourth place, by nine points, with a match in hand, have lacked fluency for large tracts of the season, and an edgy crowd has lapsed into grumbling mode more suited to cloth-capped days of yore. On the day that Leeds issued a press release stating that they are accepting euros, one wondered if next season they will have any cause to. United run out of steam - Matt ReederCopy from Yorkshire Evening
Post of 25/02/2002.
DISAPPOINTMENT is something Leeds fans have grown accustomed to this season. So when David O'Leary's side ended this first of seven must-win home matches without a goal being scored it was a well-worn emotion running through their bones. Many supporters were streaming out of the stadium well before the final whistle; they knew it was not going to be United's day. Unfortunately there have been too many days like this so far this season and they are rapidly eating away at the chances of making it into the Premiership's top four. Three points was an absolute must for United and although O'Leary tried to hide his feelings, he must have known that it was another afternoon of frustration and under-achievement. Games are running out and with each passing failure the dream of Champions League football edges that little bit further away. The statistics tell a torrid tale: Without a win since New Years' Day, just three points from a possible 18 and sitting in sixth spot a frightening nine points behind fourth-placed Liverpool. You could forgive even the most positive of Leeds fans for thinking it is all falling apart at the seams. Whether it has been on the field or off it, they have been through the mill when it comes to the dark side of this, the beautiful game. Injuries, court cases, suspensions and downright bad performances have all put a dirty stain on a campaign which had promised so much. Now Leeds have just 11 matches left in the league to rescue themselves and make that last-ditch bid for a place among Europe's elite. To do that they will not only need to inject a touch more energy and passion but also find their shooting boots - things which were, at times, lacking against a Charlton side which although stout in defence should still have been dispatched. United's form in 2002 has been patchy to say the least, but after the midweek draw in Eindhoven there was a hope that finally the players had turned the corner and were ready to enter the final straight of the season displaying something like their old form. However, the longer things did not go their way against the Addicks, the more chances that went begging and while the score remained 0-0, the heads of United's players seemed to drop. Had one of their chances found the net then it would have been a different story. A goal would have added spice to the improving karma within the camp - but it was not to be. Even though O'Leary started with four strikers on the field, Harry Kewell and Robbie Keane playing down the flanks with Robbie Fowler and Mark Viduka partnered up front, they could not break the deadlock. Eirik Bakke had the best of the first-half opportunities. Latching on to a wonderful defence-splitting pass from Olivier Dacourt, his run found him clear on goal but as he fired low across goal it was met by a stunning save from Dean Kiely. Viduka, out of touch and without a goal since scoring against Cardiff, then spurned two chances within three minutes as he curled one shot just wide and then powered a header over the bar after good work from fellow Australian Kewell. Indeed, Kewell was having one of his best games for a while, running hard at the Charlton defence. Former York goalkeeper Kiely was inspirational for the visitors and he made another good save to keep out Dacourt's pile-driver before being grateful to look on as Kewell's cross was volleyed wide by Keane. For their part Charlton only had the odd long-range effort to speak of as they failed to break down a solid-looking Leeds defence once again marshalled by the excellent Dominic Matteo and Rio Ferdinand. It is just a shame that both Gary Kelly and Ian Harte currently seem to playing with little confidence. Harte especially seems to struggle when he appears at Elland Road and his uncertainty almost cost United dear just before the break. Unable to cut out a pass from Mathias Svensson, Harte's touch landed perfectly for Graham Stuart and only a last-ditch lurch directed the shot inches wide. Leeds were hit with a massive blow just before the break as they were forced to play on without Dacourt. Still wearing a brace on his shoulder after being out for nine matches, he was the victim of a crunching tackle by Luke Young and could play no further part. It is hoped that he will not be out for long as he was badly missed when yet more chances went by the wayside and the Leeds assault ran out of steam. Bakke fired narrowly over the bar and then Fowler, usually so clinical in front of goal, missed possibly the best two opportunities of the entire match. Viduka played in Kewell down the left, he pulled the ball back from the bye-line to the Leeds striker who had time and space to play with but fired his effort against the upright. Moments later a cute dummy from Keane put Fowler in on goal but this time the £11m signing blazed his low effort wide of the target. Charlton did embark upon the odd foray into the Leeds half and even thought they had snatched a late winner when Jason Euell hooked a loose ball into the net - but the off-side flag ruined his celebrations. Viduka did have a powerful shot blocked, Kewell saw a dipping volley land on the roof of the net and a Harte free-kick went just over, but you got the feeling that even if the game went on for another hour then United would still be looking for that elusive score. The report used to be available online here.
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