Heartbreak For Leeds

Leeds United's magical FA Cup run came to an end tonight after a punishing 3-1 defeat to Spurs at Elland Road. A trio of goals from Spurs hot shot Jermaine Defoe ended the run, which saw Leeds defeat Manchester United away and then take it to a replay against Spurs. Defoe, who could have easily grabbed a bundle of goals, ended Leeds hopes of progression with an impressive display. The England starlet grabbed the opener in the 37th minute after a miss hit looped the ball in the top corner, leaving keeper Casper Ankrengren hopeless to stop it. But Leeds were able to grab an equaliser on the stroke of half time through Argentine striker Luciano Becchio. The front man pounced on Jermaine Beckford's strike to poke the ball into the empty net after it rebounded of keeper Gomes. Signs were beginning to suggest that the tie would be much alike the first, with frustration for Spurs. However, after the interval it was all one-way traffic. A barrage of efforts rained in at the Leeds goal and the Elland Road faithful who could hardly argue when Defoe put Spurs ahead once again. Man of the match David Bentley produced a fine cross on the right hand side for Defoe to finish crisply in the 73rd minute. The task of pegging Spurs back seemed out of reach for the tiring Leeds side as Defoe added to his tally of 19 goals by topping of the night with his hat trick. The fairy tale was over for the League 1 side but they certainly held their own against the Premier League outfit something Manager Simon Grayson can be very proud of his players for.