Premiership: Kewell and Viduka goals separate sides

Leeds United 2, Leicester (latest

Harry Kewell's 10th goal of the season and Mark Viduka's 59th minute strike separate Leeds and Leicester at Elland Road.

Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate were understood to have been told to stay away from just 48 hours after avoiding a custodial sentence.

With Woodgate clearly unfit given the effects of the re-trial at Hull Crown Court and Bowyer apparently still struggling with a hamstring injury - and given the media frenzy surrounding the duo - there was no point in either player attending the game.

David O'Leary made two changes to the side which beat Blackburn last week, with Dominic Matteo taking over from Michael Duberry at the heart of the defence after recovering from an Achilles injury.

Seth Johnson returned from a one-match suspension and took over in midfield from Olivier Dacourt, who is out for the next two months after dislocating his shoulder.

But O'Leary named just four subs, Paul Robinson, Jason Wilcox, Duberry and Eirik Bakke, the latter fit again after nearly three weeks on the sidelines with a knee ligament injury.

O'Leary, also without Alan Smith through suspension, was handed another injury blow in the warm-up when Robbie Keane turned his ankle.

Leicester were without Dennis Wise due to a one-match suspension. Brian Deane was handed his full debut following his recent move from Middlesbrough, with Muzzy Izzet back in the starting line-up after a substitute return in the defeat at home to Southampton due to a neck injury.

Leeds were denied the opening goal by the woodwork after 45 seconds. Johnson dispossessed James Scowcroft midway inside the City half before sliding a through ball to Mark Viduka for a first-time right-foot shot which Ian Walker pushed onto the crossbar.

But it did not take long for United to carve out the lead in the seventh minute following a superb display of possession football.

Incisive passing led to Ian Harte feeding Viduka inside the box. He then flicked through a cheeky back heel for Harry Kewell to drive home his 10th goal of the season - and his fourth in the last three games - from 15 yards.

It was nearly 2-0 in the 15th minute as home debutant Fowler was sent clear down the right wing. He found Viduka lurking dangerously just inside the area, but after he turned inside two challenges he could only bobble a shot straight into Walker's hands.

Walker was beaten again moments later with Viduka striking home a stunning half-volley after being brilliantly set up by Fowler and Kewell, but the linesman's flag was already up for a marginal offside decision.

Immediately after, O'Leary's problems increased when Johnson limped off with an injury to his right ankle, with Bakke his replacement.

The Foxes then broke away in the 19th minute with Scowcroft floating in a right-wing cross for Deane to head goalwards, only to be denied by a superb full-stretch fingertip save by Nigel Martyn.

A 27th-minute move looked to have broken down when a Kewell pass strayed behind Bakke, but Viduka mopped up and turned the ball on for Fowler.

The recent £11m signing looked odds on to score, but he delayed his shot, with Callum Davidson blocking his eventual effort.

Savage became referee Rob Styles' first booking of the game two minutes later, the Waterlooville official awarding yellow for a petulant display of dissent.

After Izzet had been bumped off the ball by Kelly in the 34th minute, Stefan Oakes' free-kick just outside the Leeds area picked out Scowcroft, only for his header to clear the bar by a yard.

Fowler was then a yard wide with a long-range left-foot shot five minutes from the break, before an attempted curler was plucked out of the air by Walker 60 seconds later.

Four minutes after the restart it took a timely block from skipper Rio Ferdinand to a Lee Marshall drive to prevent Leicester drawing level.

Leeds immediately countered with Gary Kelly sprinting down the right wing, and the player who was the supplier for both goals at Ewood Park last Sunday, again produced a superb delivery which was just beyond Fowler.

Bakke then became the first Leeds player to be booked in the 53rd minute after checking an Izzet charge with a trip on the City midfielder.

But Leeds finally made the break in the 59th minute when Viduka volleyed Kelly's cross from close range.