Premiership: Leeds two up at Blackburn

Blackburn Rovers 0, Leeds 2 (latest)

Leeds are two goals to the good against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Australian international Harry Kewell struck twice for Dave O'Leary's side.

He scored the first on 55 minutes after goalkeeper Brad Friedel fumbled a shot from Robbie Fowler.

He got his second seven minutes later when he dove for a header from Gary Kelly's corner.

Leeds had four players booked during a goalless first half in which Matt Jansen struck a post and Mark Viduka was denied three times by Friedel.

Michael Duberry ended a 15-month wait for Premiership football as the centre-back joined skipper Rio Ferdinand at the heart of Leeds' defence.

Danny Mills reverted to his customary right-back role, with Gary Kelly pushing up to right wing.

Robbie Fowler and Viduka were chosen and Robbie Keane was left on the bench.

O'Leary was without striker Alan Smith, starting a three-match suspension, and Seth Johnson due to the midfielder serving a one-match ban.

For Rovers, John Curtis replaced the injured Martin Taylor at right back.

Graeme Souness also dropped Egil Ostenstad to the bench, recalling Alan Mahon to the starting line-up in a four-man midfield, pushing Damien Duff in just behind lone striker Jansen.

Leeds made an impressive start as they penned Rovers inside their own box for the opening five minutes.

An Olivier Dacourt 20-yard drive, after just 90 seconds, flashed past Friedel's right-hand post.

Then the American pulled off a stunning fingertip save in turning aside Dacourt's curling free-kick three minutes later.

In between, Fowler was thwarted by a clearing header from left-back Lucas Neill just as the new Leeds striker was primed to head Ian Harte's inswinging left-wing cross towards goal.

As Leeds continued to press, a ninth-minute Harte corner was flicked on at the near post, but Viduka's header looped up for Friedel to collect.

But it was Blackburn who came closest to the opener in the first 15 minutes, with Keith Gillespie riding the challenge of Harte before lofting in a chipped cross for the unmarked Jansen.

Jansen's header hit a post, the ball then bobbling near the goal-line before Duberry hacked clear.

The near-miss lifted Rovers' confidence, with Mahon trying his luck from 25 yards.

Leeds showed their class in the 23rd minute as Dacourt, Fowler and Viduka combined in an intricate passing manoeuvre just outside the Blackburn box.

The final through-ball from Fowler gave Viduka a clear sight of goal, but he scuffed his 15-yard shot, allowing Friedel to save comfortably low to his right.

On the half-hour, Harte became the first name to be taken by referee Andy D'Urso, the Republic of Ireland international deliberately baulking the run of Gillespie.

Kelly soon followed his Leeds team-mate into the book when he brought down Duff.

Duff was the target again in the 35th minute, this time Mills bringing him down on the right-hand edge of the penalty area, forcing D'Urso to make it three bookings in five minutes.

The referee's whistle had started to take control due to a number of niggly challenges, although one quick free-kick gave Viduka another shooting chance, but Friedel produced a save with his legs to deny the United striker.

Batty became the fourth Leeds player to be booked just before the break for a foul on Jansen, prior to Friedel producing the save of the half in injury time.

Fowler's far-post cross was knocked back by Kewell for Viduka to head goalwards, only for Friedel to fly to his left and tip the ball away.