Leeds go top again as Keane hits mark

Leeds went back to the top of the Premiership with a hard-earned win against fellow UEFA Cup contenders Ipswich at Portman Road yesterday.

Despite being outplayed in the first half, David O'Leary's side showed their mettle after the interval and Robbie Keane restored parity with 20 minutes left.

Mark Venus then turned into his own net for the second time against Leeds this year to allow the Yorkshire club to leapfrog Arsenal and Manchester United at the summit.

Leeds, 3-0 winners over Maritimo in midweek, have now been victorious in 13 of their last 16 league matches, a sequence including just one defeat.

That record was in danger of being scrubbed at Portman Road, though, as Marcus Stewart's flick of the forehead put Ipswich into a deserved lead and the hosts went close on a number of other occasions.

Ipswich came into this contest on the back of a stunning 2-1 win over Torpedo Moscow in the Russian capital. That impressive display was extended into this contest and both Rio Ferdinand and defensive partner Dominic Matteo had to deny Stewart in the penalty area with well-timed interceptions in the opening exchanges.

But Stewart made no mistake with his second chance of the afternoon, putting George Burley's side ahead midway through the first half.

Referee Andy d'Urso penalised Harry Kewell for a foul on Jim Magilton, Venus delivered the free-kick into the six-yard box and Stewart, avoiding the attentions of Danny Mills, glanced a header inside the far post.

Although Keane screwed wide on the half hour and Harry Kewell forced Sereni into another impressive save, Ipswich were well worth their interval advantage.

Ipswich might have had a penalty in the 65th minute as Lee Bowyer appeared to block Wright's drive with his arms _ but d'Urso waved away the appeals.

But Leeds were showing signs of an equaliser themselves and it arrived with 20 minutes left. Sereni had kept out a Keane effort with his legs only seconds earlier when Kewell's superb through ball gave the Irish forward another replica chance and this time the £13million man calmly slotted past the Italian goalkeeper.

Leeds' extensive late pressure eventually paid off as they were presented with a fortunate winner.

Chris Makin headed straight into the path of Kewell, who squared from the left side of the penalty area and Venus turned into his own net.

Leeds manager David O'Leary, who believes his side are now ready to challenge for silverware, insisted afterwards: "I don't think there is anybody in the country that is playing well.

"No one can say deep down that they are _ Manchester United had a brilliant spell at Tottenham in the second half, that was wonderful, and Arsenal got a result yesterday.

"We know we can play better and all we are trying to do is to be there or thereabouts when things are decided in April and May."

O'Leary was pleased, however, that his side responded to losing their overnight lead with a positive result.

"The first trophy is always the hardest to get your hands on," he said. "Once you get your hands on it, and I don't think it's far away, this side is very capable of getting even more.

"The challenge was thrown down today for the players to get back to the top, they were asked the question `do you want to stay there'. It was a good three points and I thought all the way through we looked threatening."

IPSWICH: Sereni, Makin (Wilnis 88), McGreal, Venus, Hreidarsson, Wright (Counago 87), Holland, Magilton, George (Clapham 72), Armstrong, Stewart. Subs Not Used: Branagan, Naylor. Goals: Stewart 22.

LEEDS: Martyn, Mills, Matteo, Ferdinand, Harte, Bakke, Batty, Bowyer, Kewell, Keane, Viduka. Subs Not Used: Kelly, Dacourt, Woodgate, Robinson, Wilcox. Booked: Mills. Goals: Keane 70, Venus 86 og. Attendance: 22,643.

Referee: A D'Urso (Billericay).