THREE Robbie Fowler goals put Leeds' Premiership campaign back on track as they bounced back with a 3-0 Boxing Day victory at Bolton but the England striker was also guilty of missing a late penalty.

Fowler's struck twice within 16 minutes and then 60 seconds from the end at the Reebok Stadium, making it five goals in six appearances, to inspire David O'Leary's side to the three points that re-affirms their title credentials.

The Leeds performance was also impressive bearing in mind the injuries that hindered David O'Leary's team selection before the game and which were hampered further by the loss of two key players in the first half.

United made four changes to the side that was beaten by Newcastle at the weekend, with Jonathan Woodgate starting his first Premiership game for 12 months, Eirik Bakke returning along with Dominic Matteo and Alan Smith. Danny Mills was suspended, Harry Kewell and Seth Johnson failed fitness tests, but Ian Harte was relegated to the bench.

United got a dream start when inside the second minute they took the lead. With Eirik Bakke off the field for treatment a free-kick was played forward and when David Batty returned the ball over the top of a static Bolton back line, Robbie Fowler took the ball down delightfully and beat Jussi Jaaskelainen with a neat left foot shot low across the Finnish keeper into the corner of the net.

The early goal cushioned the early loss of Bakke, who was replaced by Jason Wilcox on four minutes, but it did little to help a United squad already seriously weakened by injuries to key players.

It also fired up Bolton who were determined to end their recent poor run in the league, but after seeing Paul Warhurst booked for a late challenge on Lee Bowyer, United went further ahead on 16 minutes.

Wilcox's first real contribution was a good ball to Mark Viduka and the Aussie international's growing understanding with Fowler was evident as he flicked the ball into the England striker's path for him to tuck the ball neatly past a horribly exposed Jaaskelainen from eight yards.

Bolton's best two efforts were a shot by Kevin Nolan and a Dean Holdsworth header which both flew over Nigel Martyn's crossbar, but the England keeper was forced to tip over a long range by Warhurst and then fling himself to his right to turn behind a similar well struck effort by Per Frandsen that was heading for the corner of the net.

Fowler had a half chance to bag a 30 minute hat-trick but chose to drive the ball across the face of goal where Bowyer, racing in, just failed to get a decisive touch.

As the half wore on the home side enjoyed plenty of possession but only Holdsworth's deflected effort causing the Leeds defenders a nervy moment, while United passed the ball around with fluent accuracy and their probing was a constant threat.

But moments before the break Leeds suffered a further injury blow when Dominic Matteo was forced off, with Ian Harte replacing the Scottish international defender.

Harte's hesitancy nearly gifted Bolton a goal back inside the opening minute of the second period. The Irish defender's poor attempt at a back pass allowed Nolan to fire in an accurate lob which a back-pedalling Nigel Martyn did brilliantly to tip over the bar.

At the other end Smith was inches away from connecting with Viduka's cross from the right, but the home side still pressed and Woodgate, who made an impressive comeback, deflected a Frandsen shot behind, while David Batty was forced to hack the ball clear from near the goal-line from the resulting corner.

But is was United who came closest to scoring on 64 minutes. Viduka sprang the Bolton off side trap and finally fired powerful drive from just inside the area which Jaaskelainen did brilliantly to parry. Then moments later Jason Wilcox's low drive from the left beat the Bolton keeper, but the rebound off the post was just too quick for Smith to take advantage as the ball flew over the bar.

Bowyer's speculative lob from 25 yards had Jaaskelainen scampering back to his line, then the superb Batty's slide-rule pass had Fowler dummying Anthony Barness, but firing over from the edge of the area with just the keeper to beat.

Inside the last ten minutes Holdsworth and Nolan both missed chances for the home side as the ball bobbled around inside the Leeds area, but then Fowler squandered his best chance of a hat-trick when Bowyer was upended inside the area by Diawara and the United striker fired inches past the post from the penalty spot.

On 89 minutes the £11million striker was not to be denied when he raced clear onto Alan Smith's pass, beat Jaaskelainen courtesy of a slight rebound and then rounded the last remaining defender before firing into an empty net.

Impressive United now hope to have a stronger hand to select from for Saturday's trip to Southampton as they look to push on from third place in the Premiership.

www.leedsunited.co.uk - Man of the Match - Robbie Fowler