Leeds’ victory at the Dell was overshadowed by a bizarre turn of events involving one of the Saints’ substitutes.
Leeds celebrate Lee Sharpe’s goal in the win over Southampton
When the final whistle blew at the Dell on November 23rd 1996, few would have imagined that a 2-0 win for Leeds United over Southampton would go down as one of the most infamous fixtures in the Premier League era. But thanks to one of the Saints’ substitutes, that is exactly what happened.
At that time, it is surely fair to say that the south coast side’s fortunes were often heavily reliant on the performances of Matt Le Tissier, so the supporters would have undoubtedly felt that their chances of beating the Whites would have been dealt a significant blow when the playmaker had to be replaced after 32 minutes.
The man who came on for Le Tissier was debutant Ali Dia, a name that then Saints boss Graeme Souness would love to forget.
BBC Sport reported in 2010 that Dia was in fact a student who had got a friend to impersonate the 1995 World Player of the Year George Weah and suggest to Souness that he should sign the striker.
Graeme Souness during his time as Southampton boss
Incredibly, the plan worked and Dia – who spent the majority of his career in the lower leagues in France and Germany – was soon on the pitch playing in the Premier League. Though the Senegalese was clearly out of his depth, he did manage to test Nigel Martyn at one stage with the Leeds keeper having to make a smart save to keep the score 0-0.
Souness clearly realised as the game went on that something was not quite right. Dia suffered the ultimate humiliation – though, it is fair to say that Souness has probably taken that honour since that day – as he was substituted 53 minutes after coming on and would never play another minute for the club again.
Goals from Gary Kelly and Lee Sharpe either side of the second substitution handed Leeds a 2-0 win. But unfortunately for the right-back – who scored just four league goals during his entire career – his smart volley was completed overshadowed by one of the greatest cons in the history of the Premier League.
Egil Ostenstad – Southampton v Leeds 1996
What could have happened had Dia scored his chance and made the score 1-0?
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