If David O'Leary was distraught at missing out on third spot, he hides his feelings better than John Prescott. The Leeds manager maintained a title challenge would be easier outside the Champions League and sounded excited about adding to his squad. The remarks of Mark Viduka afterwards must have given him even greater encouragement.
For weeks the striker's future has been in doubt. Italian and Spanish clubs are keen to sign him, and although Viduka did not guarantee he will be at Leeds next season, there were positive signs for O'Leary.
"I'm comfortable here and it would take an unbelievable offer to get me to leave," said the 25-year-old Viduka, who neatly provided the third goal for Alan Smith.
"But it's not about money, it's about success and ambition. I would like to think I can realise my ambitions here, but we need to bring more players in to strengthen the squad."
O'Leary agrees, and has no intention of losing key men. The Irishman's recent transfer record - Viduka and the impressive Olivier Dacourt arrived last summer; Dominic Matteo and Rio Ferdinand have come since - suggests he should find the "quality" additions he feels he needs for a championship challenge.
Not that O'Leary believes he is too far off. His team hinted at their potential by taking 28 of their last 33 points and reaching the Champions League semifinals. The gap to Manchester United, O'Leary insists, is bridgeable.
"Without a doubt," he said. "We're capable, if we can keep our general squad fit and get a bit of luck, of giving most teams a game. We went to Liverpool last month; they had their team out, we had ours." Leeds won 21.
Leeds' players must be disappointed at having to settle for the UEFA Cup, but O'Leary sees the title as his priority and says he has "learned more this season as manager than I learned in many years".
The same must apply to Peter Taylor, for whom this was a 12th straight away league defeat and a 10th defeat in 11 matches. Lee Marshall's error allowed Harry Kewell to cross for Smith's first, and although Leicester equalised when Junior Lewis's header hit the bar and went in via Ferdinand, Leeds deserved their win despite being below their best.
An Ian Harte free-kick was followed by Viduka's pass for Smith. Leeds fans will hope the Australian stays for more.
LEEDS UNITED: Martyn, Mills, Ferdinand, Matteo, Harte, Bowyer, Bakke, Dacourt (Wilcox 69), Kewell, Smith, Viduka. Subs Not Used: Radebe, Robinson, McPhail, Maybury. Booked: Dacourt, Bowyer, Bakke. Goals: Smith 27, Harte 77, Smith 90.
LEICESTER: Flowers, Impey (Oakes 51), Rowett, Marshall, Sinclair, Savage, Lewis, Davidson, Jones (Delaney 78), Sturridge (Benjamin 66), Akinbiyi. Subs Not Used: Royce, Gunnlaugsson. Booked: Davidson, Benjamin, Sinclair, Savage. Goals: Ferdinand 32 og.
Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).
