Leeds United pulled off one of the most famous results in the club’s recent history 25 years ago today as David O’Leary’s side fired a warning shot to their Champions League rivals.
Daniel Farke and his current Leeds United side are preparing to face Bournemouth as they look to take another significant step towards securing their Premier League status.
However, 25 years ago, David O’Leary and his young Leeds side faced a different challenge, as they took on Besiktas at Elland Road in a Champions League match to remember.
A famous goal from Lee Bowyer helped Leeds to victory over AC Milan, as they bounced back from a heavy loss at the Nou Camp in their first group stage fixture.
But there was no doubting their European credentials by the end of the game against Besiktas, as six goals forced the rest of the competition to sit up and take notice of O’Leary’s ambitious side.
Leeds United thrashed Besiktas 25 years ago today
Buoyed by their victory against AC Milan, Leeds came into their game against Besiktas in confident mood as they looked to take another step towards qualification for the second group stage.
The Whites dominated the opening stages as Bowyer continued his excellent European form, scoring the opening goal in the seventh minute after a brilliant cross from Ian Harte, before Mark Viduka missed a glorious chance to score his first goal for the club.
However, Viduka didn’t have long to wait before his goal came, as Gary Kelly whipped a pinpoint cross into the area, which found the Australian unmarked 12 yards out. Dom Matteo then got in on the act, poking home after a goalmouth scramble for his first Leeds goal before striking the bar minutes later.
Leeds started the second half in the same threatening manner, with Alan Smith flashing a header across goal. Eirik Bakke eventually added Leeds’ fourth goal in the 65th minute, firing home from the edge of the box after Smith won the ball deep in Besiktas’ territory.
The game appeared to be drifting to a close before Leeds scored two 90th-minute goals to add a gloss to their win. First, Darren Huckerby scored a rare goal before Bowyer added his second as Leeds showed they should not be underestimated on the biggest stage.
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David O’Leary praises ‘wonderful’ Leeds display
It is easy to forget the full scale of the disruption that Leeds faced during this first Champions League group stage, as Danny Mills started at the heart of the Leeds defence, with Matteo playing as a left winger.
Speaking to the BBC after the game, O’Leary was full of praise for his makeshift side as they climbed to the top of their group.
O’Leary said: “It was important we got at them straight away and we started brightly. We passed the ball around well and everybody played their part. The football was wonderful.”
Viduka wasted no time in adding to his goal tally, as he scored two more goals in Leeds’ next game, as they secured a 4-3 home win over Tottenham to conclude a dramatic week.
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