Dacourt: We will be challenging

They are poised menacingly in sixth place and a lesser team would have lost at White Hart Lane after a mis-take from Rio Ferdinand allowed Sergei Rebrov to release Les Ferdinand for the opening goal just past the half-hour.

Leeds, however, merely dusted themselves down, won parity from a Ian Harte penalty on half-time after Gary Doherty was harshly adjudged to have impeded Lee Bowyer, and went on to dominate.

With Dacourt - a summer arrival from Lens - and Bowyer a formidable presence in midfield, Leeds enjoyed a superiority after the interval that embarrassed Tottenham, especially given the spritely way the home team had begun.

A combination of Neil Sullivan and Stephen Clemence denied Mark Viduka and Bowyer in the 50th minute but soon after, Bowyer collected a corner on the edge of the area and swept a shot beneath the goal-keeper.

Having relinquished their unbeaten home League record, Tottenham look ahead to a takeover due to be completed when investment company ENIC completes its buy-out of outgoing chairman Sir Alan Sugar on Wednesday.

Sugar watched from the directors' box for the final time but it is manager George Graham who deserves sympathy. Under his guidance Spurs are making progress and even in defeat there were positives, not least the performance of Ledley King.

With confidence has come more attractive football but it may not be enough to save Graham's job in the weeks to come. Once again - as it was at Leeds - somebody else may benefit from his prudent planning.

'A couple of years ago Leeds had a lot of talented young players coming in and, though they are still young, they have got a lot of experience under their belts now,' said Graham. 'We've got to learn and, hopefully, we will progress in the same way.'