Lively Leeds banish self-doubt

Leeds, a club harbouring Champions League aspirations, have not enjoyed demotion to the UEFA Cup this season. They do not want to travel second-class again next season and yesterday they did much to invigorate their chances of reacquainting themselves with Europe's leading competition.

It was not just that this win elevated them to within four points of the Premiership's leading quartet, but also the manner in which David O'Leary's renascent team showed that they have overcome the lingering self-doubt which follows a 10-match sequence without a win.

Robbie Fowler demonstrated his predatory talents with two classy goals in the opening eight minutes. Mark Viduka's profligacy could be forgiven because of the amount he contributed elsewhere and Harry Kewell - who pipped his fellow Australian by four votes to become Oceania's player of the year - had his most productive game for longer than he will care to remember, scoring the third after Matt Jansen had given Blackburn hope.

Rovers also contributed to an entertaining game, but their hopes of recording a first league victory here in 43 years were virtually extinguished once Fowler had taken his tally to 11 goals in 17 games since his £11 million sterling move from Liverpool.

It prompted a furious reaction from Graeme Souness, who lambasted his players and then left the post-match press conference before a question had been asked. "We started at 2.15 p.m., Leeds started at 2 p.m., that was the difference," he said. "That was as weak a performance as my team have put in since I've been at the club."

His anger was justifiable given Rovers' defending for the early goals. Only five minutes had elapsed when Tugay Kerimoglu fluffed a header across the defence to Hakan Unsal, allowing Fowler to intercept and run unchallenged before slipping a shot under Brad Friedel.

Worse was to follow, almost immediately. Alan Smith was not challenged as he drifted left before whipping in an exquisite cross for Fowler, totally unmarked, to finish expertly.

For a while Leeds were alive, vibrant, adventurous. Elland Road has waited a long time to see O'Leary's players oozing such carefree abandon, and suddenly it was as if all the old confidence had seeped back.

One move stood out: Kewell's 40-yard slalom through Blackburn's defence, a one-two with Fowler and a cross to the far post where Viduka should have scored one of the more accomplished goals of the season. "We played some great stuff," said O'Leary.

A wicked lunge by David Batty on Jansen offered an unpalatable reminder of Leeds' other face, and before half-time Blackburn at least began to play with increased belief.

The exuberance of Leeds' forward play was not matched by their defensive work, however, and four minutes into the second half a mix-up between Jonathan Woodgate and Rio Ferdinand gave the visitors cause for optimism.

Woodgate's misplaced pass left Jansen with a clear run at goal, although there is also an argument that Ferdinand should have dealt with the danger. Either way, the striker's finish from the edge of the area was crisp and accurate.

As Blackburn pressed for the equaliser it was inevitable there would be gaps for Leeds to exploit, and one appeared in the 71st minute. Robbie Keane, on for the injured Smith, led a fine counter attack on the right and angled in a ball which Viduka left for Kewell to drill home a left-foot shot.

Leeds are back and jousting for a Champions League place, bad news for Newcastle and Chelsea.

LEEDS UNITED: Martyn, Mills, Ferdinand, Woodgate, Harte, Smith (Keane 65), Dacourt (Bakke 72), Batty, Kewell (Wilcox 82), Fowler, Viduka. Subs Not Used: Robinson, Kelly. Booked: Batty, Mills. Goals: Fowler 5, 8, Kewell 71.

BLACKBURN ROVERS: Friedel, Neill, Berg, Johansson, Unsal, Dunn (Gillespie 34), Tugay (Hughes 45), Flitcroft, Duff, Yordi, Jansen, Gillespie (Hignett 84). Subs Not Used: Miller, Taylor. Booked: Hughes. Goal: Jansen 49.

Referee: G Poll (Tring).