No Jimmy, no hassle. Michael Bridges last night proved that there is life after Mr Floyd Hasselbaink by scoring a hat-trick to lead an impressive Leeds United to a comfortable win at Southampton.
Leeds manager David O'Leary needed a win after his team's disappointing draw at home to Derby County on Saturday. But O'Leary's previous visit to the Dell in late January ended in a 3-0 defeat and Southampton had not been beaten at home this year.
Not surprisingly, David Jones stuck with the side which won at Coventry, but O'Leary was forced to make changes.
The loss of the injured Alan Smith meant Harry Kewell moved up front and Michael Duberry came in for his debut in defence.
The former Chelsea defender was almost immediately effective at the other end of the field, having a hand - or at least a head - in the build-up to Michael Bridges's 10th-minute goal.
His flick from Ian Harte's freekick fell into the path of the England Under-21 striker who, perhaps aware that his place is threatened by the arrival of Darren Huckerby, clipped a delightful volley over Paul Jones. Lee Bowyer seemed certain to stretch the lead soon after from Kewell's cutback but it was deflected over the bar.
Southampton could create little until two chances arrived in quick succession shortly before halftime. First Matthew Le Tissier volleyed over then Mark Hughes had a shot stopped by Bridges on the line.
In the aftermath of Le Tissier's volley, Lee Mills looked fortunate to be shown only a yellow card for pushing the England midfielder, adding to earlier bookings for his team-mates David Batty and Bowyer, and for Le Tissier.
But Southampton had no such luck in the 51st minute when Bridges added his second. Mills burst past Francis Benali on the right flank and took advantage of a slip by Jason Dodd to pull the ball back for Bridges to sidefoot home.
Leeds always threatened and only a diving save by Jones prevented Bridges claiming his hattrick in the 66th minute. But he did not have to wait long for number three, heading in Harte's corner from six yards after 72 minutes.
Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Benali, Marsden (Oakley 45), Richards, Lundekvam, Le Tissier, Hughes, Ostenstad, Pahars, Kachloul (Ripley 66). Subs Not Used: Beresford, Almeida, Moss. Booked: Le Tissier, Benali, Ostenstad, Hughes.
Leeds: Martyn, Harte, Radebe, Woodgate, Hopkin (Jones 86), Bridges, Kewell (Bakke 82), Bowyer, Mills, Duberry, Batty. Subs Not Used: Haaland, Robinson, Hiden. Booked: Batty, Bowyer, Mills, Duberry, Bakke. Goals: Bridges 11, 51, 72.
Referee: A Wiley (Burntwood).
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