Italian champions Lazio were plunged into deep crisis last night when losing their second consecutive Champions League game, deservedly beaten 1-0 at the Olympic Stadium in Rome by an enterprising Leeds United side.

Hero of the hour was Leeds striker Alan Smith who scored a brilliantly created 80th-minute goal that was a fair reflection of a second half in which the English side had looked by far the more dangerous, dominating possession.

While the first half had been fairly even, with both sides creating chances, Leeds' midfield superiority began to swing the match their way in the second half. The winning goal was created by arguably Leeds' best player on the night, Australian striker Mark Viduka, who back-heeled a clever pass from compatriot Harry Kewell perfectly into the path of Smith, leaving the Leeds striker with the most elementary of tasks to register a historic away win.

The English media, rooting for a Lazio defeat that might send England manger-elect and Lazio coach, Swede Sven Eriksson, on his way to England earlier than anticipated, had their prayers answered. However, coach elect Eriksson refused to discuss when he will take up the England post.

Eriksson insisted: "I will be here at the end of the season - and I don't think tonight is the evening to discuss the matter."

Eriksson believed Leeds deserved their victory, adding "I think Leeds played very well - they created a lot of problems for us in the second half.

"We were not good enough to score goals - we were not good enough in the box."

Lazio seemed hesitant as if waiting for Veron to refind his match rhythm after a three week lay-off.

The visitors took full advantage of Lazio's slow start, looking sharper in midfield and with Viduka proving such an immediate handful that Lazio's Portuguese defender Fernando Couto was obliged to hand him on to his central defensive partner, Alessandro Nesta.

The first real chance of the match fell to Leeds. Viduka won a free kick out on the right which was knocked in by Lee Bowyer in the ninth minute. As the Lazio defence stood and watched, Smith narrowly missed with a header from two yards out.

Before half-time, both sides had further chances to open the scoring. First Jonathan Woodgate cleared off his line in the 37th minute after Chilean striker Marcelo Salas had beaten goalkeeper Paul Robinson with a delicately angled header following a flowing attack and good cross from Pavel Nedved.

An even first half ended, however, with perhaps the best chance of the game thus far going to Leeds. Once more, it was Viduka who created the chance, getting away from Nesta in the penalty area before sending over an excellent far post ball for Bowyer. From a narrow angle, the Leeds midfielder hit the side netting just when it appeared that he had the Lazio goal at his mercy.

That near thing, though, was but a foretaste of what was to come in a second half in which Smith's goal was the logical conclusion of an excellent Leeds performance.

Leeds manager, Dave O'Leary was full of praise for Jonathan Woodgate, substituted during the first half of Saturday's Filbert Street capitulation.

"He was outstanding. I know he's an outstanding player but I want that week in week out - I'm very greedy."

Goalscorer Alan Smith was also singled out by the manager, who added: "His performance level has been fantastic over the last few weeks but he's needed a goal and I'm delighted for him because his workrate and his team play is tremendous."

Lazio: Peruzzi, Favalli, Couto, Nesta, Pancaro, Nedved, Simeone, Veron (Ravanelli 71), Lombardo (Gottardi 83), Salas, Crespo.

Leeds: Robinson, Matteo, Woodgate, Radebe, Kelly, Wilcox (Kewell 76), Bakke, Dacourt, Bowyer, Viduka, Smith.

Referee: C Colombo (France).