TWO goals by Harry Kewell gave Leeds a 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park and a vital three points that keeps them on the tails of Liverpool at the top of the Premiership.

Kewell brought his tally to nine for the season thanks to two pieces of magic from Gary Kelly down the right, although they had to rely on some late desperate defending to make sure they left Lancashire with the maximum return.

With Rio Ferdinand leading by example and the woodwork rescuing them on two occasions, United rode their luck at times, but at last got back to winning ways in the league.

Without several players injured and with Seth Johnson and Alan Smith suspended, David O'Leary handed a first Premiership start of the season to Michael Duberry at the hear of the Leeds back four and asked Gary Kelly to play on the right side of midfield. Robbie Fowler started his second game following his move from Liverpool against his former boss.

Early pressure from Leeds had Rovers keeper Brad Friedel in action early on, first diving full length to watch a Dacourt drive flash past his right hand upright following a good move involving Mark Viduka and Robbie Fowler and then Dacourt curling a 20 yard free-kick over the wall which the American did well to tip onto the bar and behind for a corner.

Friedel was on his line to clutch a close range header by Viduka as United forced a succession of corners, but the home side went closest to taking the lead on 12 minutes.

Keith Gillespie got past Ian Harte on the right and delivered a perfect cross for Matt Jansen to head goalwards, but with Nigel Martyn beaten, the ball hit the inside of the post, along the line and Michael Duberry cleared.

The impetus had swung Blackburn's way as Alan Mahon went close with a 20 yard left foot drive that went inches wide, but Viduka produced a disappointing finish following a neat move involving Fowler and Dacourt and Friedel saved comfortably.

Gillespie relished taking on Harte at every opportunity and his speed took him past the republic of Ireland defender whose attempt to check his run only earned him a yellow card. Harte's uncle soon Gary Kelly followed his into referee Andy D'Urso's notebook for a similar attempt to half Damien Duff, although the Leeds player contended that his fellow Irish international had made a meal of the challenge.

Danny Mills on Duff moments later had the Essex official brandishing the yellow card again, which ruled the England international out of United's Boxing Day clash down the road at Bolton.

Chances at either end were few and far between as they game drifted towards the interval with only Viduka's drive following a quickly taken free-kick and Kewell's volley worrying either keeper, the former Friedel doing well to save with his legs. Andy D'Urso, meanwhile, added the name of David Batty to the ever increasing list of Leeds players in his notebook.

Just seconds before half-time a quick break by Leeds had Friedel making a brilliant one handed save from Viduka's close range header after Kewell headed Fowler's cross back across goal.

Within minutes of the restart Leeds had three amazing let offs. Under pressure from a fired up Blackburn side, Duberry appeared to control an awkward cross with an arm but frantic appeals for a penalty were waved away by Andy D'Urso. Gillespie at the far post looked a certainty to score but Harte blocked his powerful drive right by the post, and Tugay's thumping effort from the edge of the area hit the bar and bounced down on the right side of the line for United.

Marshalled by the immaculate Rio Ferdinand the Leeds defence weathered the storm for United to break quickly and take the lead on 54 minutes. A quick break down the right by Kelly took him into the Rovers area and his cutback was perfect for Fowler to shoot first time. Friedel couldn't hold the ball and Kewell was in perfect position to tuck the rebound high into the net from close range.

Blackburn made two substitutions bringing on two attackers for two defenders, but the decision was proved costly when United extended their lead seven minutes later.

Dacourt was sandwiched between two Rovers players on the right, but play was allowed to continue. Kelly advanced unchallenged and again found the space and time to deliver the perfect cross for Kewell to head past Friedel from six yards.

Dacourt was forced to leave the field, with Jason Wilcox coming on against his former club, as Leeds had to reorganise.

Fowler was booked for an apparent dive, with United travelling fans calling for a penalty, while Rovers went close through a Duff effort that curled past Martyn's left hand upright.

Fowler was gifted a great chance to open his United account when he was set up by a quick break by David Batty, but the England striker hit his shot into the side-netting.

Intense pressure from the home side had Leeds defending deep inside their area, one ball flying across the face of goal, Mills heading clear at the far post, so it was no surprise when Blackburn pulled one goal back.

On 81 minutes a loose ball inside the United area was pounced on by Grabbi who poked the ball forward for Henning Berg to stab home from close range.

The last nine minutes seemed a lifetime for United and it would have been made a lot easier if Viduka had tucked away a late chance when through on goal, the Aussie international again thwarted by Friedel.

Leeds hung on through four minutes of added time, but left Ewood Park with what could prove a vital three points.

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