NEEDS REWORDING WHAT a night, what a performance. Leeds overcame one of the giants of Italian football to book their place in the last eight of the UEFA Cup and will now play Slavia Prague next week at Elland Road in the first leg of the quarter-final tie.

How did they do it? It was that man Harry Kewell who cracked an unstoppable shot for 25 yards for the only goal of the two legs and sent the passionate home crowd into delirium.

That's not to say Roma didn't have chances, but with Radebe and Haaland magnificent at the back and with Roma losing their heads late on and having two players sent off, the night belonged to the men in white.

Leeds boss David O'Leary was forced to make one change to the side that demolished Coventry City on Sunday. England defender Jonathon Woodgate failed a late fitness test on a calf injury, so Alfie Haaland stepped in.

The United side showed two changes from last week's first leg in Rome, with Stephen McPhail and Jason Wilcox coming in for Woodgate and the unlucky Matthew Jones.

Roma coach Fabio Capello had lost Brazilian defender Cafu at the weekend with a knee injury, so Alessandro Rinaldi came in. Italian star Francesco Totti recovered from a foot injury and started the game.

Leeds began with an early cross by Eirik Bakke which was off target, but Roma also had sight of goal from a free kick 10 yards outside the United area, but it ended with Montella firing over Martyn's crossbar.

Leeds had a free-kick from a similar position moments later following a foul by Aldair on Kewell, but Ian Harte's drive was blocked by the Roma wall and cleared to safety.

Kewell reappeared after receiving treatment and was soon in the thick of the action, nearly surprising Antonioli with a curling shot from the left. Good work by Stephen McPhail and Jason Wilcox forced the first corner of the game on 13 minutes, but Aldair headed clear to avert the danger.

Tomassi had Roma's first noteworthy effort on 17 minutes, his low drive from 30 yards was easily dealt with by Nigel Martyn. Then at the other end Gary Kelly's free-kick deflected off Aldair straight back to a grateful Antonioli in the Roma goal.

Totti was booked for a late challenge on Ian Harte, but it was the pace and skill of Bakke which was causing the Italians the major headache, one twisting run and low shot forced Antonioli to save low down at his near post.

Totti tried his luck from distance to no avail, but with Lucas Radebe in majestic form at the back United were holding Roma at bay, even when they threatened four against three.

With eight minutes off the first half remaining Kewell found space on the edge of the Roma area, but his goal bound well struck shot was tipped round the post by Antonioli.

A clash between Michael Bridges and Vincent Candela resulted in a yellow card for each player, a sign of the tension creeping in the longer neither side could muster a goal. That nearly changed a minute before the break when good work by Bakke momentarily caused panic in the Roma defence, although then Montella got clear and tried to chip Martyn, but the England keeper saved high above his head and the two sides went in still level.

A minute after the restart a mistake by Wilcox almost presented Delvecchio with a chance, but Haaland did enough to check his run and the ball drifted out of play.

Haaland then took a knock and had to receive treatment on the touchline, but while United were down to 10 men, Roma had a great chance when Rinaldi found Aldair at the back post, only for the Brazilian to head down, the ball bouncing over the bar fortuitously for Leeds.

The Italians had definitely begun the second period in a more attacking mode and it took the noisy Elland Road faithful to spur the Whites into action.

Delvecchio was booked for a trip on Haaland as the Norwegian raced out of his own half, but United were finding it increasingly difficult to win the midfield battle. That was until Kewell got free on 61 minutes and fed Lee Bowyer in the inside right channel, but instead of advancing into the area, the England U-23 international to shot first time and the ball spun wide.

Kewell then released Wilcox down the left, but his cross was gathered safely by Antonioli and at the other end Mangone's 20 yard free-kick curled wide of Martyn's post, after Haaland was rather harshly adjudged to have fouled Montella.

The joy for Leeds on 67 minutes. Harry Kewell picked up the ball 25 yards out, beat a defender took aim and rifled the ball goalwards. Antonioli got a hand to it, but watched in despair as the ball flew into the back of the net off the underside of the bar.

Roma were rattled and Zago became the fourth man booked for a foul on Bridges. The Italian then had another let off as they pressed men forward and Harry Kewell tried his luck again from distance, but his shot hit United own Lee Bowyer on the head and was cleared.

Delvecchio protested after a tackle by Haaland in the area sent him sprawling, but by then Leeds were creating chances and Bowyer twice tried shots which flew wide. Delvecchio then fired wide from an acute angle as Roma piled forward looking for the equaliser, but United were holding firm.

With nine minutes left David O'Leary sent on Alan Smith for a tired Michael Bridges who had run himself into the ground, but Roma had another chance from a free-kick just outside the area, Candella firing over the bar.

Jones entered the battle for Eirik Bakke as United tried everything to keep Roma at distance, DO making another late switch with Darren Huckerby replacing Stephen McPhail.

Then in injury time Zago was sent off for a second yellow card after a challenge on Alan Smith, sparking chaotic scenes which resulted in Candella also seeing red for a but on Darren Huckerby.

Game set and match Leeds. United are through to their first European quarter-finals in 25 years.

Unbelievable!!