The striker is Leeds United’s leading goalscorer in the Premier League.
As Mark Viduka celebrates his 41st birthday, here is a look at his time at Leeds United which saw him become the club’s leading goalscorer in the Premier League era, along with some of the defining images from his Elland Road spell.
After moving from Celtic in 2000, the Australian took a fair amount of time to open his account for the Whites. After scoring in the 6-0 Champions League thrashing of Besiktas, he would break his Premier League duck against Tottenham Hotspur. A brace against Spurs would help United claim a 4-3 victory.
He would make it five goals in just three games as he bagged another double against Charlton Atheltic to help Leeds to a 3-1 win.
Viduka celebrating against Charlton
Undoubtedly, his most famous performance for the Yorkshire club came in an exhilarating game against Liverpool in November 2000. David O’Leary’s men had been behind twice during the contest but Viduka left Elland Road rocking by scoring all of Leeds’ goals in a 4-3 win.
Viduka scoring his fourth against Liverpool
After a quiet run of form throughout the winter, Viduka endeared himself to Peacocks supporters once more as he scored six minutes from time to help Leeds secure a 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
Viduka scoring against Manchester United
The goal against United would begin a run of five in five. And it was the second that will perhaps be the most fondly remembered as he scored in the Bernabeu against Real Madrid in the second Champions League group-stage. Leeds’ incredible journey in Europe would end at the semi-final.
Viduka scoring in the Bernabeu
The opening goal in a 6-1 victory over Bradford was Viduka’s last of the 2000/01 campaign. His first year with the club would end with Viduka scoring 22 times in 53 appearances in all competitions.
Viduka scoring against Bradford
It took Viduka just two games to open his account the following season as his goal helped a Leeds side that finished the game with nine men claim a 2-1 victory over Arsenal.
Viduka opened his account in his second season against Arsenal
Viduka would not score again in the league until the end of October. And his only brace of the top flight campaign came in the 3-0 win over West Ham on New Year’s Day.
A run of four goals in five games meant that Viduka ended the season on a high. The only goal at Aston Villa on the final day ensured that Leeds finished fifth in the table.
Viduka scoring against Aston Villa
A season that would ultimately end in disappointment started so brightly for Leeds as they thrashed Manchester City 3-0 on the opening day. Viduka would score the second, and would subsequently follow it up with another in the win over West Brom.
A 3-0 win gave Leeds false hope about their campaign
With Leeds looking to be in some danger, the Australian put together arguably his best run of form to help steer them away from trouble. Amongst his 14 goals in just 10 league games was a hat-trick against Charlton.
Viduka scored a hat-trick at the Valley
The escape was complete when Leeds stunned many by coming away from title-chasing Arsenal with a 3-2 win. Viduka got on the scoresheet in a victory which handed Manchester United the title.
Viduka’s goal helped end Arsenal’s title hopes
His final campaign with the side offered few bright points as Leeds were relegated from the top flight. Viduka’s discipline was called into question as he twice got on the scoresheet before being sent off. The first incident came in a 3-2 win over Leicester.
Viduka scored an overhead kick against Leicester before being dismissed
Unfortunately his final appearance for the club would see him once again sent off after scoring, this time against Bolton. A 4-1 defeat would practically relegate the Whites.
Viduka’s Leeds career ended in disappointing fashion
Like many of his teammates, Viduka would soon be gone as he departed for Middlesbrough. His 53 league goals made him the Whites’ leading goalscorer in the Premier League, but supporters will be hoping that it is not too long before the club’s current crop of strikers are able to start closing in on that record.
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