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Leeds logo
Premier League
May 13, 2001 at 3pm UK
 
Bradford City

6-1

FT

On this day: Leeds United hammer Bradford City

Fourteen years ago today, Leeds United recovered from their Champions League exit by thrashing Bradford City at Elland Road.

Traditionally, the Yorkshire derby between Leeds United and Bradford City is a close affair.

Of the last 12 meetings in all competitions, wins have been recorded by no more than a one-goal margin, with the exception of the clash at Elland Road 14 years ago today.

The visiting Bantams may have already been relegated, but there was a growing belief that they had a good chance of picking up a positive result, largely because Leeds had been dumped out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage by Valencia only a few days earlier.

Lee Bowyer of Leeds beats a challenge from Gary Locke of Bradford during the Premiership match on May 13, 2001© Getty Images

The thinking was that the disappointment of the exit would weigh heavy on David O'Leary's side.

However, that school of thought was dismissed during a rampant opening 45 minutes in which bottom-of-the-table Bradford were blown away.

There was just 14 minutes on the clock when Mark Viduka converted Ian Harte's cross with a diving header, before full-back Harte turned scorer five minutes later when his free kick got the better of Aidan Davison.

Ashley Ward pulled one back for Bradford in the 22nd minute, but it was only a brief moment of respite, as Eirik Bakke soon restored the home side's two-goal advantage.

Alan Smith, who was sent off during the defeat to Valencia, got in on the act in the 38th minute when he fired in Viduka's knockdown and Harry Kewell added a fifth goal from inside the penalty area two minutes before the break.

It proved to be too much for Bradford's Andy Myers and Stuart McCall, who took their frustrations out on each other, leaving the latter with a cut below his left eye.

Mark Viduka of Leeds celebrates his goal and leeds'' first during the Premiership match between Leeds United and Bradford City at Elland Road on May 13, 2001© Getty Images

The duo kept their places for the second half and although Bradford's fortunes didn't improve too much, they did at least stem the flow of goals.

Nevertheless, with six minutes remaining, midfielder Lee Bowyer added a sixth goal for the hosts when he benefited from a mistake by Bradford defender Wayne Jacobs to turn in Harte's cross.

Speaking after the final whistle, O'Leary said: "I was delighted with the lads and their attitude in the first half. I thought the football was good, we scored goals and we got about them. It was a great way to bounce back after the disappointment of Europe.

"The players were a little bit down before the game, they were disappointed after Tuesday night, but with two games left it was important to win them both. I am already looking forward to next season and I want to end on a high this campaign."

Leeds: Martyn; Mills, Ferdinand, Matteo, Harte; Bowyer, Bakke, Dacourt (McPhail), Kewell; Smith, Viduka

Bradford: Davison, Jacobs, Halle, Nolan (Locke), Myers, Lawrence, Whalley, McCall, Jess, Ward, Carbone

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