Venables is back in business - his way

Leeds United 3 Manchester City

Crooner, novelist, businessman, club-owner. Whenever the highly diverse talents of Terry Venables are debated – and with due deference to his efforts behind the microphone – it is impossible not to arrive at the same conclusion, that he is at his most authoritative and able when tracksuited and surveying his football team of the moment with those sharp eyes and shrewd brain. That point was proved again yesterday when this confrontation between two former England coaches culminated in an ultimately facile victory for his latest team, but which was considerably more troublesome than the scoreline might suggest.

A return to the Christmas tree formation Venables has favoured in past incarnations was not entirely successful. Yet the sheer incisiveness of his goalscorers – new signing Nick Barmby, a former Venables prodigy, with the first after just 15 minutes, Mark Viduka and substitute Robbie Keane – the vision and industry of Lee Bowyer and a generally sound display from Dominic Matteo and Co in defence yielded him the victory he craved on his return to management.

Enticed again out of retirement, just as he had by Middlesbrough at the beginning of last year, Venables has started to resemble his favourite artist, Frank Sinatra, with his comebacks. But, although he will turn 60 at the beginning of next year, he has not lost that inate ability to construct a successful team however daunting the circumstances. Losing a key defender like Rio Ferdinand to Manchester United in his first week at the office was not ideal.

Few among the sundrenched faithful here would have anticipated at the end of last season that Leeds would start the next without their manager and captain and with England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn on the bench – and certainly not that they would be heralding Venables and a new beginning. But by the time the first 45 minutes were over Messrs O'Leary, Ferdinand and Martyn were all but forgotten, with Venables' men having secured a two-goal lead.

"This was a very special day for me and the ideal start," said one of the game's great tacticians and motivators. "We played with determination and Nicky Barmby turned in a great performance on his debut. His goal was pure class and the way he set up Viduka showed just what a good player he is."

But the Leeds manager was candid enough to accept that Kevin Keegan's team had deserved rather more on their return to the elite. Nicolas Anelka was particularly prominent. The Frenchman may have spurned an open invitation to score in the first half, but otherwise provided the three-man Manchester City attack with zeal and power.

Overall, City were everything you would expect from a Keegan side – cavalier going forward, inventive in midfield, but, where Leeds were concerned, obligingly naive in defence. "We caused them problems but didn't punish them," reflected Keegan. "When people look at the scoreline they'll be thinking, 'Oh, 3-0, Leeds must have dominated and City struggled', but that wasn't true."

As if it was not enough that Leeds had been deprived of Ferdinand, they also had to start their new campaign without the injured Jonathan Woodgate. He was replaced by the impressive Lucas Radebe in a central defensive partnership with new captain Dominic Matteo. The South African did not play a game for the Yorkshire club last season because of injury but enjoyed a fine World Cup. In attack, Venables opted for a three-man force made up of Viduka, Alan Smith and Harry Kewell, with Barmby behind.

With England number two Martyn relegated to substitute, Paul Robinson, the young goalkeeper who many judges believe will succeed David Seaman for international duties, took over between the posts. Robinson was soon called into action with a sprawling save from Marc Vivien Foe, then reacted well to reclaim the ball in the face of the advancing Anelka, as the visitors' attacking play caused some uncomfortable moments in the home rearguard.

Yet it was Leeds who scored first with a goal of pure Premiership class. The transfer-listed Bowyer floated in the most delicate of balls, which looked as though it would be the goalkeeper's only for Barmby to ghost in with impeccable timing and divert it with precision past a startled Carlo Nash.

But the visitors remained a potent force. Robinson saved well from Eyal Berkovic and Chinese defender Jihai Sun struck the post from 20 yards. In between, Smith directed the ball just wide after Nash had failed to gather a corner cleanly. Then Anelka should have scored when Bowyer's casual back-pass was chested by Robinson into the path of the Frenchman, but Matteo managed to intervene and force the ball wide.

Anelka's failure looked even costlier when, on the stroke of half-time, Barmby chipped the ball into space. Viduka had time to forge into the City area before steadying himself and scoring with aplomb.

Soon after the interval, City were again cursing their lack of fortune when Berkovic hit the bar. When the former Leeds man, Darren Huckerby, was thrust into the fray he posed a constant threat but his finishing was poor. And ultimately, the visitors' search for a route back into the game gave Leeds the opportunity to increase their advantage.

Smith ought to have won a penalty when felled by Shaun Wright-Phillips, but referee Graham Poll allowed the game to proceed. But then Robbie Keane replaced Viduka and, when Smith flicked on Robinson's kick-out, the Irishman advanced and cleverly lobbed the ball over Nash. Keane should have made it four just after, then Harte was denied by Nash but that would have been cruel, indeed, on City.

It was the start that Leeds needed after a summer of transition while City will have easier days. There are five former England coaches in the Premiership this season, but for the home supporters, at least, there is only one master.

Leeds United 3 Manchester City 0
Barmby 15, Viduka 45, Keane 80

Half-time: 2-0 Attendance: 40,195