West Brom fixtures | Leeds fixtures
Minute-by-minute report


Leeds strolled to the top of the Premiership after nulifying the threat posed by another of the Premiership new boys.

Goals from Harry Kewell, Lee Bowyer and Mark Viduka left West Brom still seeking their first points since promotion and continued Terry Venables' perfect start to life at Elland Road.

Substitute Lee Marshall did pull a last-gasp consolation back for the Baggies but the result, coupled with the opening-day win over Manchester City, was enough to leave Leeds sitting pretty on top of the pile, ahead of Liverpool on goal difference.

Gary Megson's men at least opened their account for the season, but were given another harsh lesson in life at the top as they created several promising openings before the break, but were made to pay by three sucker punches.

The first came after the Baggies had pegged their guests back with a brand of pressing football that will worry more sides over the coming months.

With Jonathan Woodgate back in central defence, Leeds did keep them at bay for the most, and were relieved to see Derek McInnes and Neil Clement drive wide of the mark after latching onto half-clearances.

The biggest threat came down their right as Igor Balis and then Larus Sigurdsson both made the most of Ian Harte's ever-apparent defensive inadequacies. First a low cross fell perfectly for Andy Johnson, but with the goal at his mercy, he inexplicably stabbed wide from close in.

The second chance saw the former Stoke man pull back to Jason Roberts eight yards out, but he snatched the chance, skied woefully over and Leeds were still level.

Until that is, one of their slumbering stars stirred. After Neil Clement had headed back instead of going for goal, Danny Mills set off down the right on the sort of foray that earned him a World Cup call.

His low cross was inch-perfect and the otherwise peripheral Kewell checked his stride to stab past Russell Hoult at the near post.

The Aussie then flashed a 30-yard volley inches wide after some nimble footwork, while he started the second half by forcing Hoult into a smart low save, although Viduka and Alan Smith were screaming for the cross.

It mattered not for in two minutes Leeds' lead was doubled with a truly delightful goal that perhaps suggested the visitors can recapture the form that took them to the Champions League semi-finals only two years ago.

Much of that was due the goals of Bowyer and after a barren season last time out, he opened his account for the season by curling home the sweetest of strikes after Kewell had back-heeled into his path from 25 yards.

Taker then turned maker for Viduka's second in as many games, Bowyer latching onto Phil Gilchrist's slice and picking out the burly striker, whose dancing feet sent Hoult sprawling for the goal that confirmed top spot.

Marshall did offer the Baggies some belated joy by steering in a crisp consolation after fellow sub Danny Dichio had ruffled Leeds' central defensive feathers, but it was too little too late.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Lee Bowyer (Leeds)
Back to something like his best, scoring a superb strike and setting up another. If this form continues, Leeds simply cannot afford to lose him in the New Year.

West Brom: Hoult, Moore (Dichio 60), Gilchrist, Sigurdsson, Balis, Clement, McInnes (Wallwork 73), Johnson (Marshall 73), Gregan, Dobie, Roberts.
Subs Not Used: Jensen, Taylor.
Booked: Sigurdsson.

Leeds: Robinson, Mills, Woodgate (Radebe 61), Matteo, Harte, Bowyer, Bakke, Barmby, Kewell (Keane 82), Viduka, Smith.
Subs Not Used: Martyn, Kelly, Dacourt.
Booked: Woodgate.

Att: 26,618
Ref: S Dunn (Avon).