ROBBIE FOWLER's seventh goal for Leeds gave United an early lead but Robert Pires equalised a minute before half-time to earn Arsenal a 1-1 draw at Elland Road.

Fowler's superb header had given Leeds the early impetus but once the Londoners were level neither side looked like forcing a winner and a share of the points was always the likely outcome.

The point kept Leeds ahead of Arsenal in the table, but the real beneficiaries were table toppers Manchester United.

As hoped skipper Rio Ferdinand returned after injury to partner Jon Woodgate in the centre of the United back four, with Dominic Matteo continuing at left back. Jason Wilcox was drafted in on the left of midfield, while striker Robbie Fowler was back in tandem with Mark Viduka in attack.

The surprise was the naming of Harry Kewell and Robbie Keane on the bench, with both players returning after a four week absence.

In a swirling wind Arsenal settled the better of the two sides with Thierry Henry creating a good opportunity for Dennis Bergkamp, but the Dutchman made a hash of shot and Nigel Martyn saved low down.

Henry carved out two openings more early on, the latter as he skipped along the deadball line only for Ferdinand to make a superbly timed tackle to deny the Frenchman.

But United stormed back to take the lead on six minutes. Great skill by Wilcox down the left took him past Oleg Luzhny and his cross to the far post was inch perfect for Fowler to power home his header from eight yards out.

Leeds grew in confidence from that early strike and went close to extending their lead when neat interplay by Wilcox and Matteo created space for Lee Bowyer inside the area but his snap-shot fizzed wide of the left upright.

Henry's next attempt on goal finished near the roof of the stand while the Arsenal striker and Ray Parlour both fired attempts over the bar, but the Gunners looked particularly dangerous down the left flank where Ashley Cole pushed forward at every opportunity.

The Gunners defender became the first player booked by referee Mark Halsey following a late challenge on David Batty, who then had to deal with an awkward situation when Mark Viduka and Martin Keown clashed off the ball, the Arsenal defender falling to the turf clutching his face.

Keown was fortunate moments later when he miskicked a Wilcox cross from the left and the ball fell to Fowler who hit his shot from eight yards narrowly wide of the left hand post.

United looked to be heading to the break in the lead but Arsenal had other ideas and in the last minute of the half Bergkamp's through ball was dummied by Henry to allow Robert Pires to advance into the area and drive a left foot shot from eight yards past Martyn and inside the right upright.

A scrappy start to the second period wasn't helped by a clash between Pires and Fowler which brought both players a long lecture from Mark Halsey. The best chance to take the lead fell to the visitors on 57 minutes when an unmarked Patrick Vieira headed a corner over the bar.

Seth Johnson became United's first yellow card of the afternoon when he was late with a challenge on the French midfielder moments later, but Arsenal suffered a blow when they lost Freddie Ljungberg with an injury just past the hour mark.

Substitute Giovanni van Bronkhorst's first attempt on goal took a wicked deflection and Martyn was relieved to see the ball fly past his left post.

Approaching the last 15 minutes neither keeper had been forced to make a save with both defences on top and the capacity of both teams to give the ball away.

Viduka had a half chance late on but Keown did well to block the Aussie striker's shot, while late Arsenal pressure kept United on the backfoot, but with Ferdinand marshalling the defence, Leeds held firm.

www.leedsunited.co.uk Man of the Match - Rio Ferdinand