MATCH OF THE DAY: Leeds 4 Yeovil 0

Grayson has the Max factor

SUPERSUB Max Gradel lit up Elland Road with an electric half-hour cameo for Leeds.

Sent on in the 59th minute with his side 1-0 up, the on-loan Leicester winger sparked a late flurry of goals.

He doubled the lead with the strike of the game within 10 minutes of coming on.

The Ivorian ace sidestepped Andy Welsh in the Yeovil box and arrowed a low shot into the far corner.

It was the speedy 21-year-old's first goal since joining two weeks ago.

And boss Simon Grayson said: "Max gets on the ball, he runs at people, he creates space. He has got the goal for himself - and created chances for others."

Not surprisingly, Grayson hinted he was interested in extending the player's stay.

He added: "When his loan spell ends we'll speak to Leicester and if they want him back. We'll see where that takes us.

"But he is making an impact every time he comes on. He's got that extra zip about him that we did not have."

This was the second 4-0 win in five days for Grayson's men who have responded superbly to losing their unbeaten record at Millwall last weekend.

Yet they made a slow start and took the lead against the run of play when Bradley Johnson's deflected left-wing cross eluded both Jermaine Beckford and Yeovil keeper Alex McCarthy before nestling inside the far post three minutes before half-time.

Yeovil boss Terry Skiverton said: "It was an unfortunate goal, the ball clipped off Shaun McDonald."

The Glovers outpassed Leeds for much of the opening period but failed to take their chances.

England Under-19 ace John Obika, on loan from Spurs, broke clear only to be denied by a flying save from Leeds keeper Casper Ankergren. Craig Alcock also nodded wide.

Skiverton said: "We played with freedom but had a few chances we had to take early on. Leeds are by far the best team we've come up against."

The hosts stepped it up in the second half and, after Beckford had a goal ruled offside, Gradel made it two.

Grayson said: "We knew we had to raise it at half-time and the players responded. The second goal relaxed us."

Leeds' third after 79 minutes was route-one stuff. Sam Vokes flicked on a long punt forward and Beckford held off Terrel Forbes before slotting in his 11th league goal of the campaign.

Sub Tresor Kandol headed in No 4 from Robert Snodgrass's pinpoint cross with six minutes left.

Charlton's defeat at Carlisle saw Leeds go seven points clear at the top.

But Grayson said: "The only time I'm happy seven points clear is with two games left."

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amazing

By adajame. Posted November 1 2009 at 7:05 PM.

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