Timely reminder: there’s only one David Beckham

There's only one Becks in football and it's not Jermaine Beckford. Just when the Leeds striker – scorer of the goal that knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup - was in danger of grabbing all the headlines, up pops the one and only David Beckham to underline that the Becks brand begins and ends with him.

The 34-year-old rolled back the years on his return from LA Galaxy to AC Milan, inspiring the Italian side to a 5-2 thrashing of Genoa, on the very day that Jermaine Beckford reportedly handed in a transfer request to Leeds in a bold bid to play Premier League football.

Present in the San Siro to witness Beckham's display was England coach Fabio Capello, who must have noted with interest the ease with which his veteran playmaker slotted into the right side of a three-pronged attack. With Clarence Seedorf and Alexandre Pato sidelined by injury, Beckham was further forward than he was when he first played on loan for AC Milan last season.

Beckham was in his stride from the first whistle and a pin-point accurate cross in the fourth minute was met by Marco Borriello, whose effort was brilliantly kept out by Genoa's goalkeeper Marco Amelia. Despite dominating the opening exchanges, Milan went behind to a Sculli goal after 25 minutes but Beckham had a hand in the equaliser seven minutes later. Massimo Ambrosini was put through by Beckham only to be brought down by Amelia as he closed on goal. Ronaldinho, who had missed an earlier penalty for the hosts, made no mistake with his second and levelled the scores.

Thiago Silva then put Milan in front shortly before the break and a brace from Borriello early on in the second half put the game out of Genoa's reach. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar made it 4-1 on 74 minutes with a penalty after Beckham had appeared to decline the chance to convert the spot kick, preferring to let the out-of-form Dutchman revive his confidence.

By the time Genoa grabbed a late consolation Beckham had been substituted to a standing ovation from the San Siro crowd, and more praise followed from Milan boss Leonardo. "That is the synthesis of what he is about," he said of Beckham. "He has an absolute willingness to help. He had a week where we tried him in every role. He has extraordinary quality and tactical intelligence."

Beckham was delighted. "I was happy with the game and happy with the win and it's just great to be back," he said afterwards. "I think it's always important that I work hard and perform well and I felt that I did that tonight but it's just one game." As for the presence of Fabio Capello at the San Siro, Becks claimed this had nothing to do with his performance. "I didn't know he was there, I only found out afterwards. But he loves football and he'll go to every game possible."

The fact is, Beckham demonstrated to Fabio Capello that he is fit and in form as the World Cup looms. And he helped put AC Milan just eight points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan, with a game in hand. Finally, there was the reminder to a young Leeds wannabe: back off the Becks headlines. ·