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Scott Young scores spectacular winner
Scott Youngs goal on 87 minutes wins Cardiff a famous victory. |
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Beat the premiership leaders
Sunday the sixth of January will go down in history as the day when Cardiff City beat the premiership leaders. Not only did we beat them: we outplayed them, we outclassed them, we scared them, we outfought them and we outsang them by one hell of a lot.
This was not a game won by a lower division side who constantly pumped the ball forward, this was a game won by the better side on the day. |
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Match report
Second Division Cardiff sensationally dumped Premiership leaders Leeds out of the FA Cup in an incident-packed match at Ninian Park.
Scott Young scored the winner three minutes from time.
But the result, which ranks as one of the great cup upsets of recent years, was marred by ugly scenes at the end of the game.
Earlier referee Andy D'Urso had been hit by a missle thrown from the crowd during a highly-charged contest.
Leeds had been forced to play the entire second half with 10 men after striker Alan Smith was controversially sent off by D'Urso.
The striker was adjudged to have elbowed Andy Legg in the face, but he argued he was only trying to free himself from the defender's clutches.
The decision changed the course of the match and furious Leeds boss David O'Leary launched a tirade from the touchline.
Mark Viduka had given Leeds the lead in the 12th minute with a searing 20-yard shot.
But Cardiff quickly hit back with a stunning free kick from their captain Graham Kavanagh.
Alan Smith is sent off for an elbow on Andy Legg
The home side attacked their illustrious visitors from the off and Robert Earnshaw was a thrilling presence for them down the right flank.
He gave Republic of Ireland international Ian Harte a torrid afternoon.
Leeds' cause was not helped when their inspirational captain, Rio Ferdinand, was forced off with ankle ligament damage after 10 minutes.
The injury was the result of a clumsy challenge from Gavin Gordon.
Ferdinand's exit meant that Michael Duberry came on to partner Jonathan Woodgate in the centre of defence.
The pair have not spoken since Duberry gave evidence against Woodgate in his trial for affray, but they played well together.
Viduka put Leeds in front when he smacked a stunning shot after a quick break and astute pass from Gary Kelly.
Cardiff fought back valiantly and quickly equalised through Kavanagh. The Cardiff captain sent a curling free-kick past Nigel Martyn from the left corner of the area.
It was a spectacular shot, but the Leeds wall parted to let the ball through.
Mark Viduka puts Leeds into an early lead
The second half was not as thrilling as the first, with Leeds defending deeply following the exit of Smith.
But there was a dramatic finale. Young had already made a brilliant contribution, tackling Viduka when he was one-on-one with keeper Neil Alexander, before he scored the winner.
He headed powerfully from a left-wing corner - the ball was blocked and he scrambled to send the ball into the net.
The goal sealed Leeds' cup fate - but it also sparked the crowd trouble that the Football Association will now be forced to investigate.
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Cardiff: Alexander, Gabbidon, Prior, Young, Legg, Boland, Bonner, Kavanagh, Brayson, Earnshaw, Gordon (Fortune-West 79).
Subs not used: Maxwell, Bowen, Weston, Low.
Booked: Boland, Bonner.
Goals: Kavanagh 21, Young 87.
Leeds: Martyn, Mills, Woodgate, Ferdinand (Duberry 10), Harte, Kelly, Bowyer, Batty, Smith, Viduka, Fowler.
Subs not used: McPhail, Robinson, Wilcox, Richardson.
Sent off: Smith (43).
Booked: Harte, Duberry.
Goals: Viduka 12.
Attendance: 22,009
Key incidents
12 mins: Viduka puts Leeds ahead with a thumping 20-yard shot
21 mins: Cardiff draw level through a stunning Kavanagh free-kick
43 mins: Leeds striker Smith is controversially sent-off
87 mins: Young scrambles the winner for Cardiff
Cardiff fans spilled onto the pitch at the final whistle and objects were hurled by both sets of supporters.
Referee: A D'Urso (Billericay).
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There's only one Scott Young, and we've got him.
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