Two-goal Kewell sends Leeds back to the top
( 2001-09-24 10:52 ) (7 )

An early header by Eirik Bakke and two goals in four minutes from Harry Kewell gave Leeds United a hard-earned 3-0 home win over Derby County on Sunday and took them back to the top of the premier league.

An injury-time penalty by Alen Boksic earned Middlesbrough a point from a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge where Chelsea had been cruising after two first-half goals by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

And Newcastle's run without a win in London stretched to 26 games as West Ham United triumphed 3-0 at Upton Park. It was their first win of the season and took them off the bottom of the table.

Leeds' victory takes them to 14 points, two clear of Bolton Wanderers, who drew 1-1 at Arsenal on Saturday. Arsenal and Manchester United have 11 points.

EARLY ESCAPE

Leeds had an early escape after eight minutes when a scrappy own goal by Rio Ferdinand was ruled out as Fabrizio Ravanelli had strayed offside.

A minute later they were ahead as Bakke rose well to head in an Ian Harte free kick and only a goalline clearance by Malcolm Christie kept out another Harte free kick in first-half injury time.

Derby were more positive in the second half, Christie and Ravanelli both missing chances as Leeds wasted several good situations with over-elaboration.

Leeds had looked jaded in the 1-0 UEFA Cup defeat at Portugal's Maritimo on Thursday and were still missing any real spark.

But Kewell settled the home crowd's nerves when he found the bottom corner with a precision strike after 74 minutes and then connected with a Lee Bowyer cross to head his second four minutes later.

From then on it was one-way traffic, though good goalkeeping and poor finishing kept the score at 3-0.

"We know now teams are going to come here to frustrate us and we have to learn to be patient," said Ferdinand.

"We just have to make sure we take our chances next time," added Kewell.

Derby boss Jim Smith had the same view "We had two great chances and if you don't take them you pay the price," he said.

Hasselbaink took just three minutes to mark his return after missing Chelsea's midweek UEFA Cup game against Levski Sofia through suspension.

CHARGED OUT

He latched on to a through ball from Eidur Gudjohnsen, retained in the side after his two-goal midweek display, and scored easily as Middlesbrough keeper Mark Crossley charged out.

The Dutchman, who got two in last week's 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur, added his second in the 37th minute after turning well in the six-yard box.

Chelsea were cruising but were caught out after an hour when Robbie Stockdale's shot took a deflection.

Boro, chasing a fourth consecutive win after starting the season with four defeats, suddenly showed some belief and took charge for the next 20 minutes.

And after Gianfranco Zola had a free kick headed off the line, they grabbed a point in injury time when Graeme Le Saux was penalised for handball in the box and Boksic blasted the penalty into the top corner.

The Chelsea players claimed the handball was accidental but, given time, they might remember that they took three points against Spurs last week with an equally controversial spot kick awarded in their favour.

"My players were very tired from the midweek game but we should have had more goals in the first hour," said Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri.

An 18th-minute header by Don Hutchison set West Ham on their way at Upton Park and a smart individual effort by Paolo Di Canio after 53 minutes and a third for Frederik Kanoute were fair reward for their dominance.

Newcastle, who beat Manchester United last week, rarely threatened in a disappointing display.

Southampton host Aston Villa on Monday night.