The third round of the FA Cup was bumbling along in rather boring style until Leeds United knocked out Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Once mighty Leeds have been sent crashing down in recent years, but this year head League One by eight points, having only lost once in the first half of the league season, and only once in any other competition (0-1 at home to Liverpool in the Carling Cup).
Their performance in knocking out the English Champions and last season's Champions League runners-up amply demonstrated why Leeds are looking certainties for a return to the Championship next season. This wasn't a fluke; this wasn't a "backs-to-the-wall" win. Leeds took on Manchester United, scored a good goal through top-scorer Jermaine Beckford, and they might have had more, Robert Snodgrass notably hitting the home cross bar in the latter stages.
Of course, Manchester United had chance, but they squandered them or were met by firm resistance from the Leeds defence and goalkeeper Casper Ankergren. If Fergie called his team's performance "shocking", then he might consider his own team selection, although with Rooney and Berbatov up front, and a defence that he would have dreamed of having in their defensive crisis a month ago, it was really only the midfield that was under strength.
As for Sir Alex Ferguson calling the five minutes added on at the end "an insult to the game and the players out there", he really should listen to what he says: that was embarrassing. Five minutes was plenty and fifteen would probably not have been enough anyway.
Simon Grayson has begun to shape a Leeds United team that can take on the best. Although Tottenham Hotspur away might be too tough in the fourth round, the real goal for Leeds is promotion, and for that they look a sure thing.
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