Viduka, Kewell & Smith: Leeds' Three-Man Attack

Overview

Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell and Alan Smith were three very different attackers.

Together they became a defining combination of the late O'Leary era.

Three different threats

Viduka provided power and hold-up play.

Kewell supplied pace, technique and unpredictability.

Smith brought aggression, movement and a willingness to compete for everything.

It wasn't a traditional front three.

It didn't need to be.

The 2000-01 season

All three were heavily involved as Leeds reached the Champions League semi-finals.

Viduka scored 22 goals in all competitions.

Smith scored 18.

Kewell was not primarily the same type of goalscorer, but still contributed while developing into one of the most exciting young attackers in English football.

Viduka's presence

The Australian gave Leeds a focal point.

Defenders had to deal with him physically.

Midfielders could play into him.

And once he had the ball, he could bring Kewell and Smith into the game.

His four-goal performance against Liverpool remains the obvious example of what he could do.

Kewell's imagination

Kewell was different.

He could start wide, move inside and create something from nothing.

At his best, he made Leeds unpredictable.

That mattered enormously in Europe.

Smith's intensity

Smith was still developing but already possessed one of the qualities supporters loved most: commitment.

He would chase defenders.

He would compete for difficult balls.

He would score important goals.

During the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Deportivo, Smith scored in a 3-0 win.

Why the combination worked

The three players were difficult to defend because there was no simple answer.

Mark the big striker and Kewell could run at you.

Stop Kewell and Smith could exploit the space.

Try to press Smith and Viduka could hold the ball up.

The attack gave Leeds options.

Why this trio matters

The Champions League semi-final became the enduring memory of the 2000-01 season.

But the achievement was built on a team full of complementary parts.

Viduka, Kewell and Smith were one of those parts.

They were young, talented, imperfect and hugely entertaining.

For Leeds supporters, they remain one of the last great attacking combinations before the team began to break apart.