Football: Radebe stands proud

Everton 0 Leeds United 0

LUCAS RADEBE'S last visit to Goodison Park was not a happy occasion. Two reckless and clumsy lunges brought a first-half red card and gifted Everton three invaluable points.

That was just 10 games ago in mid-April and times have changed. With three competent World Cup games under his belt for South Africa and another few months of George Graham's influence, the new Radebe is a revelation.

"He's outstanding - one of the best defenders in the Premiership. He has got better and better and is one of the best tacklers in the game," enthused Graham, after his Leeds side had achieved their fourth shut-out in five games. "He had a lot of bookings in the last year or so but he has not been booked this year."

With Robert Molenaar, his central defensive partner, accepting the unenviable task of patrolling Duncan Ferguson, Radebe was allowed a more passive role, mopping up any threat. The fact that they were a rarity was as much down to the tried and tested Graham defensive formula as any Everton shortcomings in attack.

The Leeds manager recognises that this is not yet a championship-challenging outfit, despite their accomplished start to the season. This could not have been better illustrated than in a patchy and uninspired performance. Leeds looked even less likely to break Everton down after the dismissal of Olivier Dacourt early in the second half, for two avoidable bookable offences.

"I have been told there is money available. But it is probably the wrong time to be looking, it should have been in the summer," Graham argued. "What quality players are available now?"

Enough chances were created for a comfortable victory yet Nigel Martyn's two real moments of worry were a Beckham-like lob from more than 40 yards by Alex Cleland and a similar long-range teaser from John Collins. Walter Smith's attempts to land Ibrahima Bakayako, the Ivory Coast striker, will be no less urgent following this display.

The immediate problem lies in the most effective deployment of Nicky Barmby. In theory, he should complement Ferguson but in practice Barmby tends to drift into a deeper supporting role, leaving Ferguson to shoulder the burden of Everton's direct approach. Smith's summer acquisitions have produced a more obdurate outfit, but one still lacking a wide distraction from the Ferguson focus.

Everton (4-4-2): Myhre; Cleland, Watson, Materazzi, Unsworth; Hutchison (Farrelly, 78), Dacourt, Collins, Ball; Barmby (Cadamarteri, 67), Ferguson. Substitutes not used: Gerrard (gk), Spencer, Tyler.

Leeds United (4-4-2): Martyn; Hiden, Molenaar, Radebe, Harte; Hopkin, Haaland, Bowyer, Kewell (Ribeiro, 69); Wijnhard (Lilley, 85), Hasselbaink. Substitutes not used: Robinson (gk), Wetherall, Halle.

Referee: N Barry (Scunthorpe).

Booking: Leeds: Molenaar. Sending off: Everton: Dacourt.

Attendance: 36,687.

Man of the match: Radebe.