After 30 minutes of this game City were 3-0 up. Their opponents in the shape of Leeds Utd were effectively beaten and David O'Leary's very expensive defensive experiment lay in tatters on the floor. Upon purchasing Rio Ferdinand for £18m O'Leary felt compelled to 'play with his new toy' and so he abandoned his back four system which had been so successful for him and went to a 3-5-2 system which clearly his players did not understand. Once they were 3-0 down he took off Woodgate and reverted to the old system which suited his team well but by then it was too late. After the game O'Leary simply blamed his players for giving away 'silly goals to lesser opposition.' He still hasn't learned the basics of management which emphasises the need to take some responsibility when things go wrong.

I saw Peter Ridsdale in the back of a big car in the traffic before the game, he looked relaxed and at ease with the world. Afterwards he may have looked different being £18m the poorer' his team still languishing mid table and his manager washing his hands of the situation.

Before the game Neil Lennon warmed with a track suit and wooly hat on, only his eyes peeping out. At the end of the game he bowed to the kop and gave a special wave to all corners of the ground. He seemed to be saying goodbye, we'll miss him. He has been right at the fore of our recent success but he is still saying that 'it's a boyhood dream to play for Celtic.' If he wants to go then go he must........we will survive without him. Personally I can't see the attraction of Scottish football; just two teams battling away at each other with thejir intense rivalry based on religious persuasion.

Right from the kick off City looked up for it, they clipped the ball about crisply amongst themselves leaving the Leeds players chasing shadows. Eadie who looked particularly lively picked the ball up 50 yards out and darted forward, he cut inside and let fly with a ferocious shot which Robinson in goal could only beat away. The ball went up in the air and all except Robbie Savage stood watching it. He shot forward and leapt in the air to head the ball downwards and into an empty net - what a start.

City's precise passing game left the Leeds defence looking flat footed and the 'Rio Trio' looked about as organised as a street carnival. Time and again blue shirted players darted forward receiving the ball it was only a matter of time before further damage was inflicted. The versatile Frank Sinclair proved a very effective wing back and when he found space he linked well in advanced position. On one such foray he swept forward beat a man and then with two Leeds players closing in he calmly tapped a ball into the box which was met by Akinbiyi who's powerful and perfectly placed header sent the Filbert Street crowd into raptures of delight. Ade has struggled for goals this season, this being only his third, but he has never stopped working and The Blue Army have recognised this and were more than happy to show their gratitude with a huge roar of delight.

Leeds now began to panic, they couldn't believe the score. Their following began their plaintive bleating of 'Yorkshire Yorkshire' as if that is some sort of statement in itself. However they were quite happy to boo Muzzy Izzett for his Turkish connections all afternoon with no hint of guilt. At half time they tried to break out of their pen, but like unruly cattle they were rounded up and returned. Rawhide.........'don't try to understand 'em just rope and roll and brand 'em.'

Meanwhile back on the pitch City turned up the heat further by scoring another goal. Alan Smith who has to win 'The most slappable face on earth' competition was booked for a silly foul 40 yards out. City took their now famous pirouette free kick which so often mesmorises the opposition and was concluded by Davidson crossing with his left foot. Taggart rose like a ballet dancer and once again a well placed header saw the ball hit the back of the net. Yorkshire went very quiet and racist chants were rammed down throats and the champagne football played by Leicester City saw us go in at half time 3-0 up.

At half time we were treated to a gripping penalty shoot out, The Worthington Cup flashed round the crowd and Birch introduced us to a bloke of advanced years who walked fron Quorn every week to support his beloved Leicester City. It was not true that he had just got back from Belgrade but he did say that he had walked to Sheffield in '97 for our Cup Triumph.

The second half saw City playing in measured style, they could have added to their goal tally but somehow the Leeds goal remained intact. First Wilcox and then Kewell came on but only the awesome Viduka looked likely to inflict some damage.

The referee sent off Radabe for a second bookable offence and the linesman compensated by giving an all out Leeds Utd performance which inspired a City fan to step onto the tarmac and offer him his glasses. It was a highly humorous moment, but the comedian was evicted for his trouble, much to local disdain.

Leeds did score a goal; a ball was played into the box which Smith clearly handled into the path of Viduka who attacked the ball like a wounded rhinoceros and went with his prey into the back of the net which such venom that the City defenders must have wished they'd had a rabies jab before the game.

They hit a post from a free kick and Kewell missed a sitter.

We may have caught them on an off day but at the end only one team came away with any credit, they wore blue shirts and are sitting pretty in third place

Player performance + marks out of 10

Royce 7: He did what he had to do.

Rowett 6: Gave away a string of free kicks but defended well on the ground.

Elliott 9: Immaculate passing, neat defending, well orgainsed.

Taggart 8: Hard and uncompromising, scored a great goal.

Sinclair 9: As right wing back he looked impressive, made the second goal.

Davidson 8: More adventurous. performed a string of really vital tackles.

Eadie 8: As quick as a whippet played with great intelligence.

Izzett 8: Played as an advanced midfielder and caused problems all afternoon.

Savage 9: Magnificent, inspirational and he got the vital first goal.

Lennon 9: This could be his last game, played very well winning the ball and making vital interceptions.

Alkinbiyi 7: Faded out of the game for 20 mins in second half but scored a great goal and lead the line.

Subs.

Impey 6: Did all that was asked.

Oakes 7: Not on long but looked very effective, deserves another chance.

TE