Leeds United cashing in on Beckford without selling leading striker

The Elland Road club twice came from behind against Tottenham Hotspur to earn a deserved fourth-round replay thanks to two goals from their top scorer.

Following on from dumping Manchester United out of the competition in the previous round, United's display was again one to savour as they caused all manner of problems for the Champions League hopefuls.

Grayson, who will complete the transfer of Leicester City's Max Gradel today providing the winger passes a medical, rated the 2-2 draw an even more notable result than the 1-0 win at Old Trafford due to Spurs having made winning the Cup a priority this season.

And he believes the club's Cup run, which has earned vital income due to every game being shown live on either ITV or via the internet, is a just reward for their refusal to cash in on Beckford when Newcastle United recently bid nearly 2m for the striker.

The Leeds manager said: "As a club, his goals are more important than money, and if he keeps scoring then hopefully we will get the money that comes with being in the Championship.

"There is a week to go before the window shuts but we are not expecting to do any business (with Beckford).

"Of course, if someone offers me 10m then it may be different but otherwise he will be at the club at the start of next month."

Sources in Merseyside claim Beckford has already agreed to join Everton during the summer on a free transfer when his contracts runs out, a move that would see the striker quadruple his current 5,000-per-week wage.

Regardless of that, Grayson insists on just being glad that Beckford's decision to come off the transfer list nine days ago means United will have their 22-goal top scorer for the rest of the season.

He said: "He just needs to get his head down. If he plays really well then he may get a better move than he is being linked with at this time. But if he sulks then those moves may disappear. He is a striker with a fantastic work ethic and the other players won't allow him to change.

"Jermaine has natural ability and knows where the ball is going to land. He had several chances other than the goal and that is the sign of a good striker."

Beckford's two goals at White Hart Lane were a fitting reward for United as they finally overcame their penalty hoodoo.

Before Saturday's trip to north London, Leeds had converted just one of seven penalties since Grayson took charge shortly before Christmas 2008.

It meant there was more than a bit of anxiety as Beckford, who missed in last season's play-off semi-final second leg against Millwall, stepped up to take the spot-kick after Alan Wiley adjudged Michael Dawson to have fouled the striker.

Grayson said: "We had selected a penalty taker but he was not on the pitch.

"It was an anxious moment because our record from the spot is not good, in fact I can't remember last time we scored one.

"Jermaine missed in the play-off semi-final last season but he showed great composure in the last minute. It was probably what we deserved over the course of the game."

United had several heroes at White Hart Lane with Casper Ankergren pulling off a crucial penalty save in the eighth minute from Jermain Defoe.

The Danish goalkeeper said: "It is always a good start when you save a penalty. It is what you dream about to get a start to the game like that and I am very happy for the fans and the club.

"I did not study Defoe's technique before the game. I just tried to have a look at him and see what his body language was like.

"You have to be lucky and guess the right way as well."

Beckford's dramatic late leveller means Leeds will host Spurs a week tomorrow in a replay that seems certain to attract another bumper crowd to Elland Road.

The Premier League side will again start as favourites despite being away from home but Robert Snodgrass, who excelled on Saturday in a 4-4-1-1 formation, is confident Leeds can progress to the fifth round.

He said: "I think we can beat them at our place. There is no team we do not think we can beat. We will show them respect but it is up to us to go on and win.

"A full house at Elland Road is special. I am sure the replay will be like having the Champions League days back again.

"We have shown again that we are nor scared of any team.

Liverpool, Manchester United and now Tottenham – we have not looked out of place against any of them this season.

"These are teams that dominate in Europe so we have to be proud of ourselves because a lot of teams come here and crumble."

Asked if he agreed with Grayson's assertion that the draw at White Hart Lane was a more impressive result than the third-round triumph at Old Trafford, the Scot added: "I wasn't involved at Old Trafford until the last 15 minutes so this is extra special. It showed again we can compete with the Premier League stars.

"We have two hard games before the replay but it is a dream to come up against these players. We should be proud of ourselves as we all looked confident.

"We have shown on numerous occasions that we just keep on going. We did it against Norwich and we did the same against Spurs."