ALWAYS expect the unexpected. Six days after reaching the FA Cup final and assuring themselves of a European place come what may at the Millennium Stadium, Southampton could have been excused for taking things a little easy. Not a bit of it.

Many a scoreline is misleading, but Southampton’s clear superiority would have been more justly illustrated with four or five goals in their favour. As it was, Leeds’ performance reeked of things that have been so horrendously wrong this season: an unbalanced defence, an uncreative midfield and Alan Smith again sent off.

Smith was first cautioned for sending Brett Ormerod tumbling and four minutes later was shown red in a clash with central defender Michael Svensson. “He deserved it and it’s happened too many times,” added Peter Reid. “He’s a fiery lad but it’s all about channelling it in the right way.”

Leeds’ other players were not spared Reid’s criticism, either. “It was a poor performance with a lack of passion and desire,” continued the former Sunderland manager, who might still suffer the ignominy of seeing the two sides he controlled falling to Division One in the same season.

The shortcomings of predominantly left-sided players Ian Harte and Jason Wilcox were exposed as Southampton struck twice before the break and the architect was Fabrice Fernandes.

First Fernandes cut inside before sending Anders Svensson racing down the right, and although goalkeeper Paul Robinson parried a low cross, Ormerod gratefully accepted the chance.

Less than 15 minutes later, Fernandes again caught Leeds by surprise as he veered away from the touchline and crossed for Ormerod to nod back into the path of James Beattie, who scuffed in his 23rd goal of the season.

Leeds’ humiliation worsened after the interval when Beattie’s clever lob and explosion of pace left England defender Danny Mills plodding in his wake and a low cross was perfectly placed for Anders Svensson to score Southampton’s third.

Harry Kewell, largely anonymous on the right flank, scored the first of Leeds’ late goals and substitute Nick Barmby volleyed home the second in injury time. “With 10 minutes to go I was delirious,” said Southampton manager Gordon Strachan. “At the end I was just satisfied.”

Southampton: Jones, Telfer, Lundekvam, M Svensson, Bridge, Fernandes, A Svensson (Delap 88min), Oakley, Prutton, Beattie, Ormerod

Leeds United: Robinson, Mills (Barmby 56min), Duberry, Matteo, Harte, Kelly, Bakke, Wilcox, Kewell, Smith, Viduka

Scorers: Southampton: Ormerod 31, Beattie 45, A Svensson 53

Leeds United: Kewell 80, Barmby 90

Referee: M Halsey

Attendance: 32,032

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