One-time West Ham fan Lee Bowyer brought Harry Redknapp's side down to earth with a goal in each half as Leeds romped to an emphatic victory at Elland Road.

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The Hammers were second in the table when the game began but defeat cost them three places after 21-year-old Bowyer had tormented their defence.

Robert Molenaar and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink also found the target and it could have been even more embarrassing for West Ham but for some brilliant saves by goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.

Alan Biggs reports (BBC Radio 5 Live)

Their disappointment was compounded in the 71st minute when defender Neil Ruddock was shown the red card after bringing down Harry Kewell.

"Give them credit because that's the best anybody has played against us all season. They were a different class today. We looked like strangers at the back," said West Ham boss Redknapp.

Marc Keller shields the ball from Alan Smith

His side came close to scoring within seconds of the kick-off when David Hopkin was penalised for a foul on Ian Wright and Frank Lampard whistled the free-kick just inches wide of the post.

But Leeds were given an early Christmas present in the 8th minute when Chilean international Javier Margas played an attempted ball out of defence straight to Lee Bowyer.

The 21-year-old could hardly believe his luck on his return to action after serving a one-match ban and curled a 20-yard shot past Shaka Hislop into the bottom left-hand corner.

Bowyer almost added another five minutes later but Hislop kept out his header at full stretch and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink drilled the loose ball into the side-netting.

Leeds penned the visitors back in their own half with Hopkin firing straight at Hislop and Hasselbaink outpacing Margas down the right flank before producing a dangerous cross.

Bowyer was denied again when Stan Lazaridis kicked a goalbound shot off the line and the Australian was in the right place for a second time to block a header by Alf Inge Haaland.

Hislop pulled off another flying save to keep out Ian Harte's fierce shot and teenage striker Alan Smith was just too high with a rising drive after The Hammers failed to clear.

Lee Bowyer celebrates his second goal with Harry Kewell

Leeds showed no sign of frustration as they continued the onslaught after the break with Kewell keeping Hislop busy with a snap shot and Bowyer too high with a left-foot effort from a narrow angle.

Ian Wright was off target in a rare West Ham attack and Leeds finally made it two in the 61st minute when Hasselbaink surged down the left before laying the ball back for Bowyer to hammer home from the edge of the box.

They did not have long to wait for a third as Dutchman Robert Molenaar scored at the far post and Ruddock's dismissal followed soon afterwards.

The dangerous Hasselbaink was rewarded with a 79th minute goal as improving Leeds moved up to third behind Aston Villa and Manchester United.

Leeds manager David O'Leary said his team had played "some wonderful stuff" and added: "We are a young team and the experts have been saying we lack this and we lack that, but we are a team for the future and we will give people a run for their money."

Leeds: Robinson, Woodgate, Molenaar, Radebe, Haaland, Hopkin, Bowyer, Kewell, Harte, Hasselbaink, Smith. Subs: Wetherall, Wijnhard, Halle, McPhail, Santos.