The FA's disciplinary panel, looking forward to television's undemanding Christmas fare, have a potboiler to watch first. As this game progressed from stirring to agitated, the lid came off just before the end. Mark Draper and Alan Smith, who had turned up the heat, saw yellow and Hassan Kachloul, booked moments before, was sent off.

Glenn Hoddle, Southampton's manager, was not amused: "I didn't like Kachloul's reaction and he will be dealt with severely." The Moroccan appeared to feign a butt at Lee Bowyer on his way off. The Leeds manager, David O'Leary, said: "The crowd got vamped up and there were handbags all over the place. It was daft."

By then there were sandbags, too, as the Saints soaked up late waves of attack. Vamped or not, the crowd were roused by a perceived breach of convention, Leeds not giving the ball back after it was put out of play for a Saint to receive attention.

Smith beat a man and crossed meekly into Paul Jones's arms. Daft it was as the fracas diverted from a well-fought match; but Smith's reputation goes before him. Statistically he is the foulest player in the Premiership.

Southampton were wise even to the backheel that produced Smith's goal that beat Lazio last week. The trick set up a similar chance here but, even in the 90th minute, Matthew Oakley snuffed the opening with a slithering block.

Rio Ferdinand looked more comfortable in 4-4-2, despite repeated exposure of Dominic Matteo to his left, but Marian Pahars, having identified the weakest link, sent James Beattie sweetly through it for his seventh goal in six games.

Ferdinand trailed him for pace. Since his arrival Leeds have hardly endorsed the FA's choice of coach, Sven-Goran Eriksson. With their £18 million man they have lost both league games to the wit of England coaches temporary and past. Without him they beat Eriksson's Lazio in Rome. The Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale was one on the FA's six wisemen. At this time of year three may be wiser.

SOUTHAMPTON: Jones, Dodd, Lundekvam, Oakley, El Khalej, Kachloul, Beattie, Pahars (Draper 74), Bridge, Tessem, Davies. Subs noT used: Moss, Benali, Rosler, Gibbens. Sent Off: Kachloul (85). Booked: Oakley, Kachloul, Draper. Goals: Beattie 43.

LEEDS UNITED: Robinson, Kelly, Matteo, Ferdinand, Woodgate, Dacourt, Bowyer, Bakke, Wilcox (Kewell 57), Viduka, Smith. Subs not used: Milosevic, Mills, Jones, Radebe. Booked: Bakke, Woodgate, Dacourt, Smith.

Referee: P Durkin (Dorset).