Despondency clung to west Yorkshire for much of the night as certainly as the freezing fog that enveloped much of the city. But never has Robbie Keane scored a goal to bring such palpable relief.
Keane's thrilling overhead kick against his old side after 69 minutes ended Leeds' uncertainty and delivered a deserved victory. Here was an act of escapism that persuaded a troubled club that its football can prosper in the face what is sure to be a traumatic month.
Lee Bowyer selected; Jonathan Woodgate not even named among the substitutes - there was differing treatment of the two Leeds players on trial at Hull crown court, where they are denying charges of affray and grievous bodily harm.
David O'Leary, the Leeds manager, had previously indicated that the players' state of mind would influence his selection. Whether that influenced his judgment last night remained unclear. It all added to an air of trepidation around Elland Road. After six home defeats, and with European qualification looking forlorn, Leeds' footballers needed to summon up a spirited response to adversity.
The first half brought scant encouragement for Leeds: Mark Viduka failed to value what little possession he got; Keane missed a chance in the last minute of the half; Alan Smith, delaying the signing of a new contract, fretted on the bench.
Rio Ferdinand came closest for Leeds before half-time, exchanging passes with Eirik Bakke to progress to the edge of the area, but shooting straight at Magnus Hedman.
Bowyer looked more productive than most, but his night took on a sour note when he made a knee-high challenge on Hadji and was lucky not to be booked.
Williams' tug on Robbie Keane gave Ian Harte an opportunity after an hour, but his fierce shot was beaten away by Hedman. Bowyer's determination was about as good as Leeds got and brought chants of "Bowyer for England".
O'Leary used to rue not having a strong bench; now he has one, he is reluctant to use it. With Leeds so lacking in urgency, the crowd began to sing for Smith's introduction. Instead, Viduka and Keane combined with rare magic to put them ahead. Thompson hacked off the line after Viduka had twisted free, but when Danny Mills crossed the ball back in, Keane's overhead kick beyond the far post lifted the gloom.
LEEDS: Martyn, Mills, Ferdinand, Radebe, Harte, Bowyer, Bakke, Batty, Wilcox, Keane, Viduka. Subs Not Used: Dacourt, Robinson, Smith, Matteo, Burns. Booked: Bakke, Viduka, Bowyer, Mills. Goals: Keane 69.
COVENTRY: Hedman, Quinn (Telfer 51), Hall, Williams, Breen, Shaw, Carsley (Chippo 76), Thompson (Bothroyd 76), Eustace, Hadji, Bellamy. Subs Not Used: Kirkland, Delorge. Booked: Thompson, Bellamy, Hadji, Eustace. Att: 36,555 Referee: R Harris (Oxford).
Lee Bowyer, played after yesterday's court appearance.
