TWO weeks ago La Rosaleda stadium was flooded by torrential rain. Terry Venables, the Leeds United manager, knows that feeling well enough as he struggles to keep his head above water. The chirpy Cockney has come to resemble a drowning man. Thank heavens, then, for the Uefa Cup.

This result provided some breathing space. Leeds were organised, committed and, thanks largely to an imperious performance from Jonathan Woodgate in a makeshift defence, have a gilt-edged chance to make it through the third round and into the last 16.

Returning to Spain, where Leeds duelled with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Deportivo La Coruña as they swaggered their way to the European Cup semi-finals two seasons ago, will have served as a sharp reminder of the club’s slump. Elland Road has become the scene of domestic discord and it is no coincidence that the team’s better displays have come away from that cauldron of dissatisfaction. After three wins in their past 13 games, Leeds and Venables needed a result.

Michael Duberry came in for only his second start of the season and he quickly had chances to shake off any ring rust. Although Dario Silva, the Uruguay striker, was sidelined with a rib injury that may keep him out of the second leg, Málaga began brightly. The pace and muscular threat of Kizito Musampa and Julio Dely Valdes threatened to catch Leeds out, but inaccurate final balls and the poise of Woodgate rescued them.

Leeds began to forge openings of their own. However, in keeping with their recent run, they failed to make them count. Harry Kewell, whose rare talent is so often kept hidden from view, found himself clean through on goal, but his finish was that of a man shorn of confidence, a tepid attempt at a chip that was easily gathered by Pedro Contreras.

Málaga continued to give Kewell and Alan Smith the sort of room more normally associated with the Yorkshire Moors. Smith latched on to Jason Wilcox’s pass, but he also squandered the opportunity and Contreras pushed his effort round a post. Kewell’s cross-cum-shot then evaded the advancing Smith by a yard.

Smith was also showing the flip side of his nature. Having being labelled “a thug” by Hapoel Tel-Aviv’s players in the last round, he went in determined search of another yellow card. Having avoided it when he got involved in a mêlée that had nothing to do with him, he finally got his just deserts for shoving Marcelo Romero. When he lunged at Contreras with his foot raised, you sensed the worst, even though no contact was made. As the volatile crowd bayed for his blood, Smith survived to fight another half.

This was a better Leeds performance, though. Woodgate oozed confidence, while Eirik Bakke was far more comfortable restored to his midfield berth after Sunday’s sweeper experiment. Yet Leeds were almost behind immediately after the restart when Dely Valdes, the Panamanian, turned inside the area and shot low to the left of Paul Robinson, who produced a smart save.

Jóaquin Peiro, the coach, added a brace of forwards to the mix. Miguel Roteta flashed a header wide of a post when he should have done better, but with Musampa dropping to midfield and looking far more threatening, Leeds needed to show more resilience. They did and in a fortnight must overcome their aversion to playing at home.

MALAGA (4-4-2): P Contreras — Josemi, F Sanz, M Roteta, Valcarce — Manu (sub: Edgar, 62min), M Romero, Sandro, R Iznata (sub: S Koke, 62) — J Dely Valdes, K Musampa. Substitutes not used: Rafa, R Rojas, Litos, M Angel, I Leko.

LEEDS UNITED (4-4-2): P Robinson — G Kelly, J Woodgate, M Duberry, I Harte — L Bowyer, E Bakke, S McPhail, J Wilcox — A Smith, H Kewell. Substitutes not used: J Burns, N Martyn, F Richardson, M Bridges, M Kilgallon, P Okon. Booked: Smith.

Referee: O Trentalange (Italy).

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