His third attempt from a head back on the goal-line by Danny Mills was beautifully perfected on the turn only for

His third attempt, from a head back on the goal-line by Danny Mills, was beautifully perfected on the turn, only for the ball narrowly to elude the goalkeeper's far post.Kewell should actually have won it for Leeds in the 65th minute - ironically, from a chance that began with a particularly forceful run from Keane being halted - but the invitation fell to the 21 year old on his right peg. But with two decent opportunities he failed to trouble Raimond van der Gouw, who had replaced the hamstring victim Mark Bosnich midway through the half. It is rare, indeed, to witness United being totally unnerved by an opponent, but the young Australian winger achieved it. If only his execution had been as acute as his scintillating build-ups. United had other opportunities, too, with Paul Scholes, Beckham and Denis Irwin all contriving to miss the target during one melee and in the early minutes Ryan Giggs was only denied by a desperate lunge from Michael Duberry.Before the break it was O'Leary's men who held the balance of power between York-shire and Lancashire, his courageous 3-4-3 formation deserving to bear fruition as Harry Kewell proved a rare distraction to the home defence. In the first half particularly he was wayward in his crossing and shooting, notably when the otherwise sterling Lucas Radebe misjudged a deep ball and allowed the England man to advance towards the Leeds goal.The angle may not have been the most inviting, but Beckham's swing at the ball was more Van der Velde on the last at the Open than Van Basten. Judged by their own standards it was a malaise that did not just afflict the Republic of Ireland man.

David Beckham allowed himself to be unsettled by the Leeds followers who, with no great originality, questioned the sexual preferences of the England man and his wife Victoria. A two-fingered gesture towards them was greeted rapturously and it appeared as though they had won that battle. In the first half particularly, Keane performed like a man still tormented by a thousand quan- dries, although he had already informed the club of his decision not to sign a new contract with United, at least for now.Ferguson insisted that the talismanic Keane was as attuned to his game as ever but, in truth, there were few of the telling passes and prodigious runs that normally characterize his game. That told you much about United for a good deal of the game, and certainly the apparent state of mind of the United captain. It had been 53 minutes before Roy Keane received the kind of raucous reception normally reserved for one of his ferocious challenges.

"I know it's obvious but it's all about goals," lamented the Leeds manager David O'Leary "We didn't take the chances, while they took theirs. Take them away and there was hardly anything in it."If there was to be an afternoon for Leeds to usurp their avowed rivals at Old Trafford for the first time since 1981 this had been it. So, now we know, lest there had been any debate remaining after last season, that there is a divine presence guiding Alex Ferguson's men. Those who scoff at such a suggestion might just proffer an alternative and rather more earth-bound explanation for yesterday's events.It is quite simply that Leeds would have won if any of their players had possessed the semblance of finishing prowess; United won precisely because, whatever the quality of his performance, Yorke can always be guaranteed to make short work of a decent cross and an inattentive rearguard. "Come to George Graham for entertainment," the Spurs manager remarked with a wink.. Manchester United 2 Leeds United 0 Yorke 76, 80 Half-time: 0-0 Attendance: 55,187AS THE second of Dwight Yorke'sgoals eluded the groping fingers of Nigel Martyn, lightning illuminated Old Trafford and the heavens duly rumbled their approval. Carr continued to thrust forward and, after 86 minutes, his centre was flicked in by the hard-working Iversen.

The referee had no qualms about awarding Everton another penalty, but let Walker escape with only a yellow card. Again Unsworth slammed in the kick.Everton's fortunate advantage lasted for five minutes and, sadly, it was Gerrard who offered Spurs a way back. As Ginola's centre began to drop Gerrard failed to make contact and Oyvind Leonhardsen, at the far post, had an easy equalising shot. A penetrating centre from Sherwood shortly after the interval saw no serious challenge to Les Ferdinand, but Gerrard managed to parry his header clear. Stephen Carr, whose attacks down the right spoke volumes for Everton's midfield problems, brought about Gerrard's finest save, a push round the post from a fierce shot.That hand-bruising deflection became even more important when, after 76 minutes, Walker came out to meet Jeffers, who was chasing Campbell's through ball, and up-ended him. Then Ginola centred deep and Steffen Iversen's header was superbly tipped over by Gerrard, who was rewarded cruelly only a few seconds later when Anderton's corner was headed past him by Tim Sherwood.Lacking adequate cover in front of him, Gerrard was constantly tested.