Football: Style from Rocastle

Leeds United. . . .1

Manchester City . .0

WITH the sun shining and the temperature in the 60s it was time to think about getting out the things we bought last summer. Howard Wilkinson, the Leeds manager, decided to put on something he picked up in the end-of-season sales. It was the only thing that caught the eye all afternoon.

David Rocastle has been on the shelf at Elland Road almost ever since he was signed for pounds 2m from Arsenal. This was only his second start in 16 games. But his 11th minute drive - his first goal for the fading champions - was enough to brighten up a dowdy encounter. Gary Speed played a penetrating ball down the line to Rod Wallace, whose cross found the City defence loitering with little intent. Keith Curle belatedly got his head to it, but Rocastle thumped the deflection sweetly past Tony Coton from 12 yards.

There was very little haute about the rest of the couture on show. City's designs were plainly on containment, despite an away record for which Leeds would kill, and the fact that they won the Maine Road leg of this encounter 4-0.

Mike Sheron was left on the bench to make room for an extra defender, Ray Ranson, but his arrival as second-half substitute produced the only other bit of style, a shot on the turn from the edge of the box which brought a fine, one- handed diving save from John Lukic.

Apart from that, and a late block by Coton from Wallace, the goalkeepers were rarely troubled. An unmarked Lee Chapman demonstrated when he sidefooted over the bar from four yards that scoring - with the exception of Rocastle's exclusive little number - was definitely out of fashion.

Leeds United: J Lukic; D Kerslake, T Dorigo, D Batty, C Fairclough (J Newsome, 71 min), D Wetherall, D Rocastle, Rod Wallace, F Strandli

(L Chapman, 58 min), S Hodge, G Speed. Sub not used: M Day (gk). Manager: H Wilkinson.

Manchester City: T Coton; A Hill, T Phelan, F Simpson, K Curle, M Vonk, D White, R Ranson, N Quinn (M Sheron, 69 min), G Flitcroft, R Holden. Subs not used: P Reid, A Dibble (gk). Player-manager: P Reid.

Referee: K Hackett (Sheffield).

Goal: Rocastle (1-0, 11 min).