A well-taken header by Harry Kewell was the only goal in a pulsating match which saw Leeds United win for the first time in five years against their arch-rivals from across the Pennines.

After the game Leeds manager Terry Venables paid tribute to his team, who had soaked up early pressure before establishing themselves as the dominant force in the second period.

Venables heaped praise on centre back Jonathan Woodgate for his outstanding display at the heart of the defence and he outshone his former teammate Rio Ferdinand, who looked very uncomfortable on his return to Elland Road.

Ferdinand almost headed into his own net midway through the first half and nearly allowed Mark Viduka to snatch a goal after a mix-up involving himself and French keeper Fabien Barthez.

Man of the match Alan Smith rounded off an incredible eight days of football for himself with goals for both club and country, followed by a quality performance against Manchester United, which showed that the young Leeds star is maturing fast. The aggression was more controlled from Smith, but the will to win was not lost.

The first half opened brightly with both teams lining up with a 4-4-2 formation. Manchester United should have taken the lead on 16 minutes when Dutch striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy was played through and with just the 'keeper to beat his weak shot was saved by the legs of Paul Robinson.

Ian Harte cleared a David Beckham free-kick off the line and just before half time Ryan Giggs had a header also cleared off the line by the impressive Woodgate, as United tried to turn their dominance into goals.

The first half was packed with incident and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said later that his side should have had two penalties.

"We seem to get some horrendous decisions against us," he complained.

However, the eagle-eyed manager fail to see the incident involving Beckham and Lee Bowyer when the England captain looked to have elbowed the Leeds midfielder.

Referee Jeff Winter felt a free-kick was all the matter warranted.

Leeds were forced to make a double substitution at the beginning off the second half when Lucas Radebe and Eirik Bakke replaced the injured Dominic Matteo and Nicky Barmby.

The enforced change almost paid off straight away as Bakke fed the ball to Viduka. The big Australian played the ball inside to Lee Bowyer, who shot just over the bar.

The goal came on 67 minutes when after a move involving Kewell, Bowyer and Bakke the ball was played out to Ian Harte. The Irish full back cut inside and fired a right foot cross which was met by the head of Kewell, who gave the 'keeper no chance from six yards.

Manchester United brought on Diego Forlan for the out of sorts Van Nistelrooy, but there was no way through the solid Leeds rearguard.

Leeds United 1,

Manchester United 0

FA Barclaycard Premiership

(at Elland Road)

Leeds United: Robinson, Harte, Dacourt, Woodgate, Viduka (McPhail 73min), Kewell, Bowyer, Barmby (Bakke, half-time), Smith, Mills, Matteo (Radebe, half-time).

Subs not used: Martyn, Kelly.

Booked: Smith 55min, Harte 89.

Goal: Kewell 67.

Manchester United: Manchester United: Barthez, Neville, Blanc, Ferdinand, Beckham, Butt (Chadwick 63min), Van Nistelrooy (Forlan 71min), Giggs, Solskjaer, O'Shea, Silvestre.

Subs not used: Lopez, Pugh, Roche.

Booked: Solskjaer 89min.

Referee: Jeff Winter

Attendance: 39,622.

Updated: 11:51 Monday, September 16, 2002