Referee:  David Elleray

Goals:
12mins: Given gave Barton a bit of a nightmare pass but Barton expertly beat his man before charging down the right. Unfortunately a rush of blood saw him take on one too many and he lost the ball. Leeds' Wilcox charged forward and Dabizas laid the ball off superbly for Bridges who thumped into the top corner via the hand of Shay. 0-1

17mins: The little grey-haired porker with the flag gave a harsh free-kick near the right touchline. Wilcox curled it into the near post where Bridges failed to make contact. Unfortunately Shay was already saving the header as the ball drifted harmlessly into the far corner. 0-2

24mins: Domi showed some excellent pace and persistence by winning the ball with a sliding tackle. He sprang to his feet looked up and swung a fabulous cross to the back stick where Howey did his best to put off Shearer. Undeterred England's no.9 headed into the opposite top corner. 1-2

48mins: Dyer did well to force the disgraceful Radebe into conceding a corner. Domi swung it over and Shearer's run across Martyn caused the keeper to fumble. Whether he made contact or not is debatable. Aaron Hughes scooped it goalwards and Shearer slammed it into the roof of the net from a yard out. Not many noticed but he actually managed to hit the bar. Almost miss of the season? 2-2

Waffle:

Alan Shearer got goals 27 and 28 to secure a creditable point against Champions League chumps, Leeds. The Yorkshire side threw away a two-goal lead and then missed a penalty as the black and white United engineered an unlikely comeback.

The game was just a minute old when Shearer flicked on a header for Kieron Dyer to run through on goal. Some poor control and a less than lethal finish ended with the ball cannoning off the post to Domi who somehow failed to give us the lead. Leeds then hit back with two goals that once again revealed our familiar defensive frailties. Barton lost the ball after good work up the right and Dabizas could only present the ball on a plate to Michael Bridges who lashed it into the top right corner. Shay could only push the ball in again but this time the power of the shot gave him little chance. Given had just made a spectacular save from a wayward Helder clearance minutes earlier.

The second Leeds goal came from a free-kick on the right side of the box. Bridges didn't seem to make contact at the near post and the ball sailed into the opposite corner, a bit like Shearer's (or Nobby's) against Liverpool. Any sort of fightback seemed unlikely at that point with Steve Howey having a personal nightmare of a game. Helder's new midfield role didn't suit him or the team and it was a surprise when Shearer pulled one back. Domi's Beardsley-like tackle won the ball down the left and his first-time cross the back post was tucked away superbly by the head of Shearer. It was game-on.

The equaliser came shortly after the break as Nigel Martyn fumbled a cross, not for the first time. Aaron Hughes shot goalwards and Shearer gleefully thumped it home from about six inches. Celebrations were a bit time-delayed after ref Elleray seemed to be pointing for a free-kick on Martyn but the goal stood. Diego Gavilan had a glorious chance to score on his full debut but the youngster saw his effort saved well. Harry Kewell performed his usual springboard routine at the other end and a careless Dabizas lunge got him the penalty he'd been after. Ian Harte did the decent thing and scuffed his kick a yard wide of the goal to keep the score at 2-2. Chances came and went at both ends but a draw seemed a fair result after both teams had contributed to a an entertaining day out. The point took us above Boro to 12th but still leaves us in Premiership no-man's land.

A special mention must go to Brazilian wonderkid Fumaca who spectacularly outdid Maric for the worst ever substitute appearance. Our ability to find the only Brazilian that can't play football is remarkable.