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Joe Mewis

Mark Viduka reveals the Leeds United strike that was the best goal of his career

Former Leeds United striker Mark Viduka has identified the winning goal he scored against Arsenal in May 2003 as the best of his career.

At the end of a turbulent season, Leeds United came up against Arsene Wenger's title-challengers needing a win to shake off the spectre of relegation and had twice taken the lead through Harry Kewell and Ian Harte, only to be twice pegged back.

In the 88th minute, Viduka got on the end of a looping Dominic Matteo pass on the right-hand side, moved inside past Oleg Luzhny and shot past David Seaman to win the game and ensure Leeds were safe from the drop.

It was one of more than 250 goals that the Australian scored in his career - including that unforgettable four-goal haul against Liverpool in November 2000 - but the man himself ranks it as the very best.

"I would say the goal against Arsenal - in the last minute or the last few minutes," he told Sky Sports when asked to name his best-ever strike.

"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."

Viduka spent four years at Elland Road following a £6million move in 2000 and was part of the side that reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2001.

He left the club following their relegation from the Premier League in 2004 to join Middlesbrough after having scored 72 goals in a Leeds shirt in his 166 appearances.

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