Richard Jolly reports

Mark Viduka and Alan Smith scored the goals which broke Leeds' jinx at Newcastle - but Terry Venables' side owed their win on Tyneside, which was live on Premiership Plus, to the brilliant Paul Robinson.

David Seaman's army of apologists may regard the ageing Arsenal keeper as England's Number 1 but Alan Shearer, Laurent Robert, Nobby Solano and Shola Ameobi could testify to the excellence of 22-year-old Robinson, who made three outstanding saves at the end of the first half in a flawless performance of outstanding agility and reflexes.

Leeds scored well-taken goals early and late in what was, their reliance on Robinson notwithstanding, a classic example of counter-attacking football.

Newcastle had the majority of the chances and the lion's share of the possession, but Leeds grabbed the goals as Terry Venables again came out on top in a battle of England managers.

Venables' beloved Christmas Tree was jettisoned in favour of an altogether more British 4-4-2, and Leeds looked all the more solid for it.

The recalled Olivier Dacourt provided more steel in midfield, the feisty duo of Danny Mills and Alan Smith - the latter capping the week of his life with his first Leeds goal of the season - were in fine form down the right flank, and Jonathan Woodgate provided further evidence of his class in defence.

Viduka opens the scoring

And in attack, Viduka provided a valuable outlet and Harry Kewell exploited his free role superbly, his pace, intelligent movement and willingness to shoot from distance causing the Magpies constant problems. The combination of the two Antipodeans proved too much for the shaky Newcastle defence from the start.  

Newcastle's offside trap failed them as Nick Barmby's chipped pass found Kewell accelerating past the defence and he unselfishly squared the ball for his Viduka to finish in his 100th Leeds appearance.

Kewell himself, clearly confident and in form, came close to a second with a stunning 25-yard volley which was just too high.

For all Newcastle's possession, they found it hard to fashion clear-cut chances against resolute Leeds in the first half hour. The diving Ameobi could not direct his header from Robert's cross on target while Shearer's shot on the hurt was easy for Paul Robinson.

A better chance fell at the other end to a less renowned goal scorer. Woodgate's left-footed half-volley cleared Shay Given's bar but the centre back was responsible for the opportunity, intercepting in his own box, emerging with the ball to lead the counter-attack and sprinting 70 yards to meet Viduka's header across goal.

The Newcastle pressure started to tell, however. Robinson blocked well from Robert's fiercely hit drive while Ameobi put another diving header wide.

And the inspirational Robinson made a hat-trick of brilliant saves to preserve Leeds' advantage just before half time. First he stopped Ameobi's shot with his feet, then he blocked Bernard's powerful effort and finally, somehow, stretched to hold Ameobi's shot from six yards.

Leeds celebrate their second goal

After the break Solano, with a cross-shot, came close before Shearer escaped from Matteo only to place his shot straight at Robinson who, once again, clung on gratefully.

Still, Newcastle could not score. Ameobi, again, had the best chance when Olivier Bernard reached the by-line and sent in a teasing cross which somehow the gangling striker headed over.

But Leeds came back into the game and Kewell again came close with another goal of the season contender when he fired a 25-yard half-volley just over.

And the winger's pace on the counter-attack again troubled Newcastle as he sprinted beyond Bramble but could not get a shot in on his favoured left and Shay Given saved both Kewell's right-foot effort and the ensuing volley from Viduka.

Craig Bellamy came off the bench to replace Ameobi but Newcastle continued to spurn chances, the Welshman prodding over the bar a couple of minutes after his arrival.

Defender Andy O'Brien fared no better, heading over the bar while Solano's stunning 35-yard strike drew another superb save from Robinson.

Kewell header across goal almost produced a second for Leeds as Newcastle's desperation for an equaliser produced chances on the counter-attack.

And Smith sealed the win in the dying minutes. Kewell's corner fell to Lee Bowyer, whose drilled shot was blocked but only as far as Smith, who hammered an unstoppable drive into Given's top corner.

MAN OF THE MATCH - Paul Robinson (Leeds) - A superb display of goalkeeping from the youngster surely destined to become first choice for England

Newcastle: Given, Hughes, O'Brien (Griffin 83), Bramble, Bernard, Solano, Dyer, Speed (Viana 67), Robert, Shearer, Ameobi (Bellamy 67).
Subs Not Used: Jenas, Harper.
Booked: Speed, Griffin, Bramble.

Leeds: Robinson, Mills, Woodgate, Matteo, Harte, Bowyer, Dacourt, Barmby, Smith, Viduka (Bakke 85), Kewell.
Subs Not Used: Martyn, Kelly, Radebe, Okon.
Booked: Mills, Smith.

Att: 51,730
Ref: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).