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Leeds United finally got their first home league win of the season by demolishing Crewe Alexandra.

Before the game the talk was of how much damage former Leeds striker Anthony Elding was going to do to Leeds United in the shirt of his new employer’s Crewe Alexandra.

But as it turned out it was teenage sensation Fabian Delph who made the impact in the game - he celebrated his new four year contract by scoring Leeds’ opener with a 30-yard shot. Young Alan Sheehan scored a second with another long range effort before Jonathan Douglas rubbed in Leeds’ superiority with a third.

Jermaine Beckford headed in a fourth - his eighth in seven games and Andy Robinson curled in the fifth goal, a just reward having hit the Crewe bar with a lob minutes before.

However, the game went sour for Leeds in injury time when Leeds’ Lubo Michalik was sent off in for violent conduct and Crewe took advantage of their numerical superiority to score twice: Calvin Zola headed in from a free-kick and Eugene Bopp added a second consolation goal with a fluky deflection. It was the first time David Lucas, favoured over Casper Ankergren, had had to touch the ball all afternoon.

So a sad end to a terrific performance by Leeds United, a result that us them into a play-off position in League One.

Leeds United: Lucas, Richardson, Michalik, Telfer, Sheehan, Hughes (Howson 64), Kilkenny (Robinson 65), Douglas, Delph, Beckford, Becchio (Snodgrass 69). 
Subs Not Used: Ankergren, Prutton.

Sent Off: Michalik (90).

Booked: Michalik, Delph.

Goals: Delph 26, Sheehan 36, Douglas 49, Beckford 67, Robinson 82.

Crewe Alexandra: Collis, Woodards, O’Donnell, Baudet, Jones, Moore, Bailey, Rix (Bopp 63), Schumacher, Elding (Donaldson 63), Zola. 

Subs Not Used: Abbey, Pope, Miller.Booked: Baudet.

Goals: Zola 90, Bopp 90.

Att: 20,075

Ref: Trevor Kettle (Rutland).

Leeds United have been charged by the Football Association for allegedly using an unlicensed agent when purchasing Anthony Elding from Stockport County in January 2008.

Leeds United have responded with a statement that no payment was made to Lorenzo Paolo, who was the agent involved in Elding’s transfer.

If the FA charge is proved then Leeds United would face a financial penalty, although Luton Town were deducted points in an extreme case recently.

Anthony Elding finally gave up playing the reluctant bride and gave in to the attentions of ardent suitor Crewe Alexandra.

He signed a three year contract with the Railwaymen earlier today.

The transfer fee is reported to be six figures but it is unlikely that Leeds recovered the £200,000 that they paid for Elding. A discount will have had to be made t offset the difference between wage levels at the two clubs.

Elding turned down Crewe to come to Leeds in January from Stockport County.

He was then pursued by Crewe in the early part of the close season. The clubs agreed a transfer fee and Elding met with Crewe officals but personal terms could not be agreed and Elding returned to Elland Road to fight for his place.

However, McAllister made it clear that he did not feature in his plans and the message was driven home when Elding was excluded from the current tour of Ireland.

With Leeds being linked with Marcus Haber, Robert Snodgrass, Jay Bothroyd and Luciano Becchio just this week Elding saw the writing on the wall and departed gracefully to Crewe where he is undoubtedly wanted by the manager.

Leeds United manager Gary McAllister has left seven senior players out of the squad to tour Ireland this week.

Killa's off to the Olympics

Left behind are Anthony Elding, Seb Carole, Curtis Weston and Ian Westlake, who are all available for transfer.

Tresor Kandol is absent through illness.

Neil Kilkenny is preparing to join the Olyroos preparing for the Beijing Olympics.

Fabian Delph is on England international duty. The Bradford-born midfielder is in the Czech Republic for the under-19’s European Championship.

Meanwhile new signing Enoch Showunmi and Canadian trialist Marcus Haber, also a striker, are included in the party.

Here’s the full travelling squad for the pre-season tour of the Republic of Ireland:
Ankergren, Lucas, Martin, Gardner, Richardson, Michalik, Huntington, Marques, Bayly, Sheehan, Parker, Douglas, Howson, Prutton, Hughes, Johnson, Sweeney, Robinson, Beckford, Showunmi, Haber.