Premiership: Managers clash over Viduka challenges

Leeds boss David O’Leary tonight became embroiled in a bitter war of words with Newcastle manager Bobby Robson following the stunning seven-goal thriller at Elland Road.

Newcastle staged a dramatic second-half comeback to snatch the points with a last gasp-winner after Leeds had strolled into a 3-1 lead.

The Magpies stretched their advantage at the top of the FA Barclaycard Premiership to three points as Craig Bellamy, Robbie Elliott, Alan Shearer - with a penalty - and Nolberto Solano scored the goals to inflict upon Leeds their first home league defeat for 11 months.

Newcastle were also the last team to win at Elland Road.

However, it was two Mark Viduka first-half challenges which angered Robson, and in turn led to O’Leary hitting back at the Geordies’ 68-year-old boss.

Viduka broke the nose of Greece international centre-half Nikos Dabizas in the 14th minute with a flailing arm as the duo went up for an aeriel ball.

Australia international Viduka was given a stern lecture by referee Jeff Winter, who then produced a yellow card for the 25-year-old just before the break following the tackle which led to Dabizas been stretched off.

Dabizas sustained abrasions and swelling to his right leg, and after the caution Viduka then pounced early in the second half to sweep home Leeds’ second goal.

But Robson believed Viduka should not have been on the pitch at that time.

He said: ‘‘Overall the referee gave a constant performance but I think he failed in not giving Viduka his marching orders.

‘‘That was the one big mistake that he made because he’s normally a referee that will deal with that type of thing and is not afraid to make those kind of decisions.

‘‘But it was a red card, it was direct and it was violent, although he (Viduka) was lucky with the first challenge anyway on Dabizas.

‘‘He broke his nose in that, but he only got one yellow card from two violent offences.

‘‘But I’m not so bitter now because we have gone on and won the match.’’