'That is number one' - Mark Viduka hails Leeds United strike as top goal in his entire career

MARK Viduka says the best goal of his entire career came in a Leeds United shirt.
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Australian powerhouse striker Viduka netted over 250 goals as part of a glittering career that took the forward from Melbourne Knights to Dinamo Zagreb to Celtic and then to the Premier League with Leeds, Middlesbrough and finally Newcastle United.

Viduka's goals also took Australia to the second round of the 2006 World Cup in which he captained the Socceroos but the former Whites star says his strike in United's 3-2 victory at Arsenal of May 2003 ranks as his best.

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Peter Reid's Whites were desperately scrapping away to avoid Premier League relegation and Viduka's brilliant 88th-minute winner made Leeds safe, at least for another year.

ELATION: Leeds United striker Mark Viduka celebrates his 88th-minute in the epic 3-2 success at Arsenal of May 2003. Picture by Tom Hevezi/PA Wire.ELATION: Leeds United striker Mark Viduka celebrates his 88th-minute in the epic 3-2 success at Arsenal of May 2003. Picture by Tom Hevezi/PA Wire.
ELATION: Leeds United striker Mark Viduka celebrates his 88th-minute in the epic 3-2 success at Arsenal of May 2003. Picture by Tom Hevezi/PA Wire.

The strike also ended Arsenal's title charge as Manchester United were crowned champions.

As the clock ticked down towards the 90 minute marker, Dom Matteo stormed forward from his uncustomary midfield role and released Viduka with a high ball down the right.

The Australian was still some 35 yards from goal yet made his way into the Gunners box via a cushioned header and neat turn before unleashing a rasping finish into the far left corner.

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Running through the best three goals of his career in an interview with former Leeds team-mate Paul Robinson for Sky Sports, Viduka said: "I would say the goal against Arsenal - in the last minute or the last few minutes.

"It was the inside of the left foot and into the top corner. Especially with all the circumstances around that match, I would say that would have to be one of them.

"We knew that if we won the game, we were safe from relegation from the Premier League.

"That goal got us the points we needed - I would say that is number one.

"That was a big goal for sure."

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Thank you Laura Collins