Leeds United 3 - Deportivo La Coruña 0

Leeds: Martyn; Mills, Ferdinand, Matteo, Harte; Bowyer, Batty, Dacourt, Kewell (Wilcox 85'); Smith, Viduka. 4-4-2.
Deportivo: Molina; Manuel Pablo, Naybet, César, Romero; Duscher (Valerón 53'), Emerson; Scaloni (Diego Tristán 70'), Djalminha, Fran (Pandiani 70'); Makaay. 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 26. Harte. Bent free kick on edge of area over wall and in to roof of net.
2-0. 51. Smith. Headed down past Molina after corner from Harte on left.
3-0. 66. Ferdinand. Headed back in to net after Valerón failed to head away corner.

A disappointing Deportivo were left down and out by a vastly superior Leeds side who take an almost insurmountable three goal lead into the second leg. Missing their two veteran Hispano-Brazilians Donato and Mauro Silva, Deportivo were void of ideas, and were unable to find a way through a Leeds defence which constantly had two men covering every time they tried to attack down the wings. Such was the home side's domination that the Spaniards never had a shot at goal in the first 45 minutes, and only when Valerón came on in the second half did they get anywhere near Martyn.

This was a different Leeds United from the side who lost 4-0 to Barcelona, with David Batty taking advantage of the absence of the Brazilians to command midfield. Molina kept out Bowyer early on, but an Ian Harte special found the roof of the keeper's net, his free kick bending over the wall giving him no chance. Batty tested Molina with a long shot, and somehow Smith failed to find the target with a low diving header before the interval. He did better though six minutes after the restart, heading Harte's cross down past the despairing keeper, and Irureta made his first change, taking off Duscher who was making his first start in the Champions League.

Harte gave the few die-hard Deportivo fans in the ground a fright with another free kick just over the bar, then Ferdinand made it three after Valerón lamely headed on a corner into the middle of his own penalty box. It was time for the big guns, and Irureta put on his two remaining centre forwards Tristán and Pandiani, sacrificing his wingers to do so. But this time it didn't work, and they were unable to get the away goal they needed to give themselves a chance for the second leg. Donato and Mauro Silva will be back for that match, but four goals is too much to ask against this gutsy Leeds side. Deportivo will have to concentrate on the league to be sure of repeating the experience next season.