Keane sinks old club

Lee Bowyer played despite his trial

Leeds 1-0 Coventry City

Robbie Keane returned to haunt old club Coventry City, with his spectacular strike giving Leeds victory at Elland Road.

The Republic of Ireland international's overhead kick in the 69th minute illuminated an otherwise gloomy encounter, leaving Coventry three points adrift of safety at the bottom of the Premiership.

Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate were considered by David O'Leary despite their current trial. Bowyer started but Woodgate missed out with a heel injury and was replaced by Lucas Radebe.

The South African took the captain's armband on his return from international duty with South Africa.

Hedman busy

Leeds, who had lost five previous games at home in the Premiership, surged forward early on.

It was a special goal from a special player. You can't coach something like that. A club like Coventry have to sell him while a club like Leeds can go on and buy him. That's life.

  Gordon Strachan on Keane's goal

Rio Ferdinand linked up with the attack to get on the end of a pass from Erik Bakke and his effort stung keeper Magnus Hedman's hands.

Coventry defended deep in the early stages in a bid to try and frustrate the home side.

Leeds stepped up the pace and Hedman was again called into action 10 minutes before the break.

The Coventry keeper showed a safe pair of hands to get on the end of a downward header from Bakke after Bowyer had floated in a corner.

Leeds striker Mark Viduka then found himself in a good position but Richard Shaw cleared effectively.

Keane starred against his old club

Coventry, however, broke quickly in the 41st minute and keeper Martyn was forced to make a good block from Marcus Hall.

Hedman was forced to race off his line and boot Keane's close range shot to safety a minute before half-time after Bowyer had set up the opening.

Overall, the play was scrappy and the passing sloppy.

But Leeds came close to making the breakthrough after 61 minutes when Keane won a free-kick 20 yards out and Harte powered a free-kick through the wall but Hedman reacted superbly to push the ball over the top.

Keane strikes

However, the Swede was helpless nine minutes later when Keane struck the winner in style.

David Thompson cleared Viduka's shot off the line but the ball was returned into the box by Danny Mills.

Keane got on the end of it to send a brilliant overhead kick beyond Hedman.

We kept it tight at the back which was a good thing. I felt we controlled the game even though I know we can play better.

  David O'Leary, Leeds manager

That goal rattled Coventry and they almost conceded a second after 77 minutes.

Mills rattled in a shot from 20 yards that beat Hedman but came back off the post.

Coventry vainly attempted to rally, but Leeds held on for a win that leaves them just two points off the top six.

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Leeds: Martyn, Mills, Ferdinand, Radebe, Harte, Bowyer, Bakke, Batty, Wilcox, Keane, Viduka. Subs: Dacourt, Robinson, Smith, Matteo, Burns.

Coventry: Hedman, Quinn, Hall, Williams, Breen, Shaw, Carsley, Thompson, Eustace, Hadji, Bellamy. Subs: Chippo, Telfer, Kirkland, Bothroyd, Delorge.

Referee: R Harris (Oxford)