Five Leeds Goals that Shocked the World

Seventeen games into the 2014-15 Football League Championship season and Leeds United have not yet found the form we need if we want to challenge for the play-off places. After two permanent managers have fallen by the wayside and a run of eight league matches without a win Leeds find themselves is fifteenth in the table but hopefully now Neil Redfearn is kicking off a comeback.

There is nothing quite like a good comeback to raise the excitement levels, in true Leeds United style, last-minute surprises are distinguishing trait of this team. Let’s take a look back at five legendary matches played by the Whites in the past twenty years that shocked fans with some of the amazing and most unexpected goals and comebacks in the club’s history.


Lee Bowyer (90”, vs Derby County, 8th November 1997)

Kicking off our list of shocking goals is the remarkable encounter between Leeds United and Derby County more than a decade ago. More than 33,000 fans stood gathered in the stands as they watched on the Whites turn around completely what looked like a hopeless situation.

Thirty-three minutes into the game, the home side were trailing behind the visitors 3-0 and some Leeds fans were already making their way for the stadium exits. However, those who stuck with their team through those dark minutes were treated to one of the most amazing comebacks in the clubs history.

Just moments before the end of the first half, Leeds starting dominating the game and reduced the goal deficit to just one. In the second half, Hasselbaink gave Leeds the equaliser they were all hoping for and when both teams looked like there were going to settle for a point each, Lee Bowyer smashed the ball home and gave Leeds the win.

Final score: Leeds United 4 - 3 Derby County


Liam Miller (86”, vs Southampton, 19th November 2005)

In another historic match for the Whites and a repeat of the events that took place in 1997 against Derby County, Leeds found themselves 3-0 down at half-time. The atmosphere was a glum one for fans so far, but when the players re-emerged from the dressing room for the second half they looked like a completely different team.

The reinvigorated Leeds went on to thrash Southampton, much to the disbelief of their coach Harry Redknapp, who used up all his substitutions trying to field fresh legs on the field to keep up with the Whites. Within minutes, Leeds were neck and neck with their opponents and as the game was drawing to a close, Liam Miller put Leeds in front with a powerful strike that sealed the deal.

Final score: Southampton 3 - 4 Leeds United


Jermaine Beckford (19”, vs Manchester United, 3rd January 2010)

Perhaps Jermaine Beckford’s greatest contribution to his club is the famous upset he staged against their bitterest rivals. The Whites were still recovering from an embarrassing 1-1 draw to Kettering in their previous match, and the thought of Manchester United inflicted more aggravation on the team was unbearable.

However, when it came to facing each other at Old Trafford, both teams displayed great confidence. Leeds United had a League One promotion on the cards, but on paper the Red Devils appeared to be the superior team.

After a few testy exchanges during the opening minutes, any doubt about Leeds’ performance were laid to rest after Beckford slotted the goal following a Howson long ball in his direction.

The stadium erupted in cheers on the Leeds’ side and although the next 70 minutes yielded no more goals scored (and none conceded) by Leeds, the Whites proved themselves on the pitch with an incredible performance against their rivals that fans still sing about today. It was also a shock for the bookies, having to fork out for the keen Leeds fans who had taken a punt online.

Final score: Manchester United 0 - 1 Leeds United


Mark Viduka (74”, vs Liverpool, 4th November 2000)

Mark Viduka frustrated many Leeds fans, he was hit and miss, often criticised for not turning up in games. At Elland Road on the 4th November 2000 against Liverpool he was at his brilliant best though.

Leeds found themselves two nil down after 18 minutes and defender Jonathan Woodgate had left the field due to injury. Leeds soon struck back though as Viduka struck on 24 minutes before levelling the scores just after half time.

Liverpool had not finished yet though and Vladimir Smicer put the Scousers back in front on the hour mark. Viduka had not finished yet though. On 73 minutes Dacourt slid the ball through to the oncoming Viduka who swivelled to lose his two defenders and slot the ball past Westerveld to level the scores gain.

Just a minute later Dacourt again played Viduka through, the Liverpool defenders hands went up for offside but the flag stayed down and Viduka calmly chipped the keeper to seal an amazing comeback.

Final score: Leeds United 4 - 3 Liverpool


Tony Yeboah (51”, vs Liverpool, 21st August 1995)

Yes, that goal! The one that thundered past David James and had Dom Matteo looking on in disbelief. Not a comeback but one of the most famous goals in Leeds United history, held up there with Clarke against Arsenal and Gray against Burnley.

Yeboah had got his season off to a flying start but this is the goal that will define his spell at Leeds. In the fifty first minute, Yeboah smashed in a devastating volley of such velocity that it was just a blur to the watching audience and even more of a blur to the poor Liverpool keeper. Yeboah was known for the special and the spectacular but goal caught the eye of the footballing world and is still commented on as one of the best goals ever nearly twenty years on.

The thing is, I’m not sure this was even his best goal. The goal just over a month to the day later at Selhurst Park against Wimbledon was possibly better but it’s the first that always takes the plaudits.

Final score: Leeds United 1 - 0 Liverpool


Leeds fans have been taken on an emotional rollercoaster ride throughout the club’s history. It would appear that odds cannot quite capture the surprise factor that the team is known for, but those fans who stuck with their club through thick and thin a wager on the games listed above must have left them all with plenty of extra cash to celebrate a win!

Over to you – what do you think of the goals listed above? Any others that you feel were worthy of mention?