Football: Yeboah fires another blank

Leeds United 0 Southampton

Twenty-five years ago this month, Don Revie's Leeds confirmed their overdue blossoming with a celebrated 7-0 annihilation of Southampton. Last night's rematch, in which barely seven passes were strung together or seven chances carved out, prompted a storm of booing where once every exquisite touch was greeted with a gloating "Ole!"

Southampton, who could have moved out of the bottom three by winning, squandered the opportunity. Graeme Souness's side created the clearer of the few openings, but unfortunately for the valiant huddle in the Elland Road visitors' pen, the best fell to their recent recruit from Plymouth, Mike Evans.

Making his full debut, Evans ballooned the ball excitedly over the bar when it fell to him less than 10 yards out midway through the first half.

He was in good company: Tony Yeboah, whose bulk makes him better suited for the 13-man code played by Leeds Rhinos, wasted a golden chance to mark another anniversary - of his last goal for Leeds - with a late winner.

A year ago the Ghanaian would have burst the rigging if, as happened with six minutes remaining, the ball had dropped for him on the volley with only the keeper to beat. On this occasion he side footed tamely into Maik Taylor's arms.

Leeds kept another clean sheet, their 18th in 32 games during George Graham's six months in charge. However, their fans left the manager in no doubt that they will be expecting a modicum of entertainment next season.

Southampton may never have a better chance of recording their first Premier League victory over Leeds in 10 attempts. Neil Maddison headed over from only a yard out following Matt Le Tissier's six minute free-kick, the prelude to Evans' rush of blood after he was set up by Egil Ostenstad.

In one of Leeds' rare attacks, Lee Bowyer fired wide from 35 yards after Taylor had cleared straight to him. Yeboah also had an underhit shot hoofed off the line by Simon Charlton, though in a barren second half Southampton looked more likely to break the deadlock.

Le Tissier forced an uncharacteristic mistake from Nigel Martyn shortly before the hour. His volley came out off the keeper's chest, only for Martyn, watched again by the England goalkeeping coach, Ray Clemence, to smother Ostenstad's follow-up.

Leeds United (3-5-2): Martyn; Molenaar, Wetherall, Kelly; Halle, Palmer, Rush, Bowyer, Sharpe (Dorigo, 40); Yeboah, Deane. Substitutes not used: Harte, Ford, Jackson, Beeney (gk).

Southampton (4-4-2) Taylor; Neilson, Lundekvam, Dryden, Charlton; Oakley (Monkou, 81), Magilton, Maddison, Le Tissier; Evans, Ostenstad (Basham, 76). Substitutes not used: Benali, Berkovitch, Beasant (gk).

Referee: G Ashby (Worcester).