The season may be too immature to yield anything other than broad hints but Leeds United are proving to be a model of consistency. A comfortable victory over Southampton extended their unbeaten start, moving them to the top of the table for the first time since they won the old First Division in 1995.
Southampton rocked back and forth from the first whistle but Leeds, in their lemming-like frenzy to plot a route to goal, were often guilty of reckless ill-discipline. The visitors accepted a largely supporting role without a whimper of defiance but with the Leeds back-line inclined to drop too deep there was always the chance that a swift counter-attack might provide something more than relief from defensive duties.
The opening half was almost exclusively confined to central midfield which left an impatient audience with little better to do than berate the referee Alan Wilkie for a series of unfathomable decisions.
Leeds's new front pairing of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Clyde Wijnhard is full of running if not inspiration. They are both built like the business end of a 10lb lump hammer and there is a tendency for each to volunteer for the role of battering ram.
Hasselbaink did find the target midway through a dour and forgettable opening period but Wilkie saw fit to rule it out for an unseen infringement during the build-up, a misdemeanour judged so malicious that Wijnhard was cautioned.
The ease with which Leeds held sway in midfield should have provided a platform for substantial progress but, when in the mood, they are proficient at transforming wine into water.
When the breakthrough came it was curious but welcome. Martin Hiden's cross from the right was poor but Southampton only partially cleared. The ball fell at the feet of Hasselbaink who drew a defender before steering in a chest-high shot that would have gone wide of the far post had it not struck Scott Marshall and drifted beyond the goalkeeper Neil Moss.
The tide was beginning to dismantle the sandcastles at last and the second half was still finding its feet when Leeds scored again. There was nothing fluky nor fortuitous this time. It was a gem, born out of hours of practice on the training ground and executed wonderfully on the big stage.
Southampton foolishly conceded a free-kick on the edge of their penalty area and could do no more than spectate and admire as Alf Haaland and David Hopkin set the ball up for Ian Harte to sweep in a stunning, rising drive.
Wijnhard claimed the third goal of the night for his new club three minutes from time, turning the ball in smartly at the near post after the substitute David Wetherall had knocked across a centre from Harte.
LEEDS UNITED: Martyn, Hiden, Molenaar (Wetherall 75), Radebe, Harte, Hopkin, Bowyer, Haaland, Kewell, Hasselbaink, Wijnhard (Ribeiro 89). Subs Not Used: Sharpe, Halle, Beeney. Booked: Wijnhard. Goals: Marshall 38 og, Harte 52, Wijnhard 86.
SOUTHAMPTON: Moss, Warner, Dodd, Marshall, Hiley, Ripley, Howells (Gibbens 85), Palmer, Bridge (Le Tissier 75), Hughes, Beattie (Ostenstad 79). Subs Not Used: Lundekvam, Bevan. Booked: Palmer, Dodd, Hughes.
Referee: A B Wilkie (Chester-le-Street).
