Leeds show again a liking for the bigger stage

FA CUP/Tottenham 2 Leeds U 2:THERE IS an element of protocol for the lower-league footballer after he has tasted the giddy high of cup triumph. They owe it to the club and the supporters to talk about their "bread and butter", how nights at the top table will not have them going all picky on us. As such, a succession of Leeds United players were keen to stress "it's all about Swindon Town away on Tuesday night now".

Leeds saw Norwich City steal a march on them on Saturday to usurp them as the League One leaders, while Charlton Athletic will draw level on points at the top with both if they defeat Leyton Orient this evening. Leeds have games in hand, but they are acutely aware they have not won since their famous success at Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup on January 3rd.

“More important for me than the FA Cup is the game against Swindon,” said the manager, Simon Grayson.

On occasions such as this, however, it is simply wrong not to dream.

Leeds feel they belong on such stages, against the leading opposition. As at Old Trafford, this was as much about pride, about proving the club can still mix it with the best, despite all of their 21st century tribulations. And, inevitably, as Jermaine Beckford and Robert Snodgrass applied the stardust to the collective grit, the memories came flooding back. Roll on the replay at Elland Road.

“You turn up at Elland Road against Liverpool,” said Snodgrass, recalling the League Cup tie against Rafael Benitez’s team from earlier in the season, “and it’s just like the Champions League nights are back again. It’s first-class. We just need to keep believing in ourselves and realise we can play among these top stars.”

There was liberation for Leeds against a Tottenham team that has hit what they hope will prove a temporary blip. Week in, week out, Leeds face opponents who are that bit more motivated to claim their scalp. But it was a different situation at White Hart Lane and, as the home crowd chuntered after Beckford’s first equaliser, Leeds grew in assurance. They matched Tottenham throughout the second half.

“Sometimes, you could hear the Spurs fans getting frustrated,” said Leeds goalkeeper Casper Ankergren, who saved a ninth-minute penalty from Jermain Defoe.

Post-match talking points were plentiful, but chief among them were the penalties. Defoe got his after Michael Doyle had lunged at Danny Rose, the former Leeds trainee, and Defoe might have had another when challenged by Jason Crowe in the 23rd minute.

The one Leeds got, in the 95th minute, was the result of a similar controversy, Michael Dawson taking pieces of both ball and man. Beckford picked himself up to crash a kick into the top corner.

Beckford, the subject of interest from Everton, among other clubs, was also a hot topic of discussion, with Grayson saying that an offer this month of €11.4 million would compel Leeds to do business. Is he worth it? Would Beckford’s goals be worth more to the club?

Bring on Swindon.