UNITED 5 (Delph 26, Sheehan 36, Douglas 48, Beckford 66, Robinson 81), CREWE 2 (Zola 90, Bopp 90)

United: Lucas, Richardson, Michailk, Telfer, Sheehan, Hughes (Howson 64), Kilkenny (Robinson 64), Douglas, Delph, Beckford, Becchio (Snodgrass 69). Subs: Ankergren, Prutton.

Crewe: Collis, Woodards, Baudet, O'Donnell, Jones, Rix (Bopp 63), Bailey, Schumacher, Moore, Elding (Donaldson 63), Zola. Subs: Abbey, Pope, Miller.

Referee: T Kettle

Booked: Michalik, Delph (United), Baudet (Crewe)

Sent-off: Michalik

Att: 20,075

Overseas highlights available on Saturday night - UK and Ireland available from 5pm on Sunday.

United boss Gary McAllister welcomed Paul Telfer and Alan Sheehan back to his starting line-up, and it was the Irishman who created the first opening of the game when he delivered a good early cross from Luciano Becchio.

Crewe responded with a Byron Moore strike from the edge of the box after 10 minutes which flew over the top.

United were the more attacking force, Jermaine Beckford was a threat, and Jonathan Douglas headed wide on the quarter-hour mark.

Andrew Hughes went even closer after 20 minutes when Danny Woodards cleared a header off the line.

Beckford was next to go close, following a terrific ball from Fabian Delph, when his shot was parried by Steve Collis and cleared by Danny O'Donnell, who was under pressure from Becchio in the six-yard box.

But there was no denying Delph moments later. The 18-year-old, who signed a four-year contract on the eve of the game, scored with a terrific opportunist strike from outside of the area.

And it was 2-0 in the 26th minute, courtesy of Sheehan. The defender picked up the ball just inside the Crewe half and unleashed a superb 30-yard strike which left Collis with no chance.

It was almost 3-0 before the break, but Collis saved a Becchio header from close range. The Argentinian also had another firm header pushed over the bar, following a good cross from Frazer Richardson.

Beckford also went close on the stroke of half-time when he stabbed a shot against a Crewe defender, and the ball went for corner.

United could have had three or four on the board such was the first half dominance, and the second period started in the same manner when Becchio had a shot deflected.

But it took just three minutes for Leeds to make it 3-0 thanks to another wonderful strike. This time it was Jonathan Douglas who received a pass in the middle of the park and he sent a stunning shot beyond the reach of Collis to put the game beyond doubt.

Delph was a driving force in the middle of the park and Beckford went close after another surging run by the midfielder created an opportunity.

Lubo Michalik was next to go close, following another attack, and United were in rampant mood against the struggling visitors.

On 64 minutes, McAllister took advantage of United's comfortable position and made two early changes to hand Jonny Howson and Andy Robinson opportunities to impress again.

And Robinson made an immediate impact, supplying Beckford with an excellent cross within 90 seconds of his arrival and the striker headed home his eighth of the season to make it 4-0.

As United continued to dominate, Robinson came within a whisker of scoring a fifth goal when his shot came back off the bar.

The former Swansea man was keen to get on the scoresheet, and Collis had to be at full strength to palm away another Robinson effort on 78 minutes.

And with nine minutes remaining, Robinson got his reward. Just when it looked like the goals couldn't get any better, the scouser topped them all with a wonderful first-time strike from outside of the box which curled round Collis.

With two minutes left on the clock, Robinson almost provided fellow sub Howson with a goal, but the youngster's close range header was off target.

The game did end on a disappointing note for United, though, when Lubo Michalik picked up a second yellow card after pulling the shirt of a Crewe attacker.

And from the resulatnt free-kick, Calvin Zola grabbed a consolation goal when he headed home to give Crewe some pride.

That pride was salvaged further when United conceded a second goal in stoppage time. Eugene Bopp was the goalscorer with a deflected effort from the edge of the box with the final kick of the game.