FORM is temporary; crisis, for Leeds, seems permanent. This was a fixture they had not lost for eight seasons, but there was an inevitability about the trend being bucked yesterday. Even in the throes of their own torments, Tottenham had just a little too much for Eddie Gray’s side who, with Portsmouth winning, are now stranded five points from safety inside the relegation zone.

This was their last home game before January 19, the day the standstill agreement with their creditors expires, and they have to begin once again to repay their £82m debt. There seems more hope for the Beagle Two Explorer, lost down a crater on Mars.

A further problem is that forward Mark Viduka will fly home to Australia this morning to be with his father, who is seriously ill. He will be away, according to Gray, “for as long as he needs to be”. Meanwhile, talk of director Allan Leighton putting together a rescue consortium, including the billionaire Philip Green, appears to be premature. The Leeds fans tried protesting at the end, but their boos quickly died out.

Their reaction was described by Gray as “fair enough”. In the press conference the Scot was at his least upbeat since becoming temporary Leeds manager on November 10. “The crowd didn’t get much back from the players today. They’re working hard enough but if we’re going to get out of trouble the players are going to have to show the courage to play at this stadium. I didn’t say much to them before kick-off but what I did say was , ‘Go out and play’.”

Leeds’s lack of conviction was illustrated on the three occasions Ian Harte, once a feared dead-ball striker, sent free kicks sailing high into the stand. Gray said the club’s off-field crisis was no excuse.

Only Viduka was exempted. The striker was substituted and left the ground during the interval after doing little in the first half. His manager explained: “Mark was due to go back to Australia last night, but he decided to give it a go. But his mind wasn’t really on the game. There are more important things in life than football, you know.”

That last thought is about the only consolation you can offer Leeds fans this morning. At least Alan Smith will be back from suspension for their next game, Southampton away. Without Smith, Gray searched the recesses of his squad to find replacement dogs of war and, discovering none, unleashed Nicky Barmby instead.

Playing behind Viduka, it was Barmby’s first start since March 2003, but although there was a typical neatness and intelligence, he is not a player to impose himself when the situation is rough.

Barmby, though, was central to Leeds’ best moment of the game midway through the first half. Salomon Olembe found the former England international on the edge of Tottenham’s box and Barmby sent the little winger to the byline with a gorgeous return pass. Olembe crossed to the near post and only Anthony Gardner’s diving interception stopped Barmby reaching it to score.

Although Leeds shaded the possession, Tottenham, in the shape of Stephane Dalmat, monopolised the poise.

When Spurs eventually scored, the only surprise was that it did not involve Dalmat. As the Leeds defenders dallied, Mauricio Taricco sent a quick free kick long and high downfield to where Robbie Keane was breaking behind Michael Duberry. The Irishman steadied, held off the defender and, as the ball sat up, spanked it past Paul Robinson on the volley.

On for Viduka, Michael Bridges had an opportunity to save his side when a Jermaine Pennant corner dropped to him in space 10 yards out, but he miscued miserably.

Leeds: Robinson, Kelly, Duberry, Kilgallon, Harte, Pennant, Bakke, Matteo, Olembe (Sakho 66min), Barmby (Milner 66min), Viduka (Bridges h-t)

Tottenham: Keller, Carr, Doherty, Gardner, Taricco, Dalmat, Anderton (Poyet 88min), King, Davies, Kanoute, Keane

Scorer: Tottenham: Keane 56

Referee: M Halsey

Attendance: 35,365

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