Sport 20-09-2002 Bridges Comeback Saves Leeds from Upset who: Leeds United what: Beat Metalurg Zaporizhya 1-0 where: Elland Road, LEEDS when: Last night snippet: For much of game, Leeds United played "as though they were wearing straitjackets", reckons The Guardian`s Daniel Taylor, but Alan Smith saved them from embarrassment with an 80th minute goal against obscure Ukrainian side Metalurg Zaporizhya last night. "In a typical David versus Goliath UEFA Cup first-round, first-leg tie," says The Yorkshire Post, "the footballing giants of Leeds were so very nearly embarrassed by a side making their debut on the European club scene." The Independent`s Phil Shaw congratulates Michael Bridges, "the forgotten man of Elland Road", for battling back from injury to set up Smith`s goal on his first appearance in nearly two years. Nevertheless, the visitors` coach Oleg Lutkov plans to upset the party when Venables`s boys come to the steel-making city of Zaporizhya, continues Shaw. Claiming that the goal should have been disallowed because Bridges pushed one of his players, the coach warns: "The second leg will be different. I assure you that you will see a more attacking Metalurg team." [... more]

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