Leeds draw blank

Robbie Fowler had a quiet start to his Leeds career

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Fulham 0-0 Leeds

Fulham had the better of this goalless draw with Leeds, as Robbie Fowler made his debut for David O'Leary's side.

I'm sure Manchester United are not going to throw in the towel

Leeds United manager David O'Leary

The former Liverpool player had a quiet game for his new club, though in the closing minutes he almost snatched the points when he hit a close-range volley which Edwin Van der Saar smothered.

The draw means that Leeds trail the league leaders Liverpool by four points, with O'Leary's side having played a game more.

  Key moments

14 mins: Gary Kelly clears Luis Boa Morte's effort off the line

79 mins: Alan Smith's shot is saved by Edwin Van der Sar

86 mins: Robbie Fowler's volley is grasped by Van der Sar

Fulham dominated possession for most of the game and moved the ball about swiftly and intelligently.

Having scored just 15 goals this season, Jean Tigana's side once again lacked the required cutting edge in attack.

Both Louis Saha and Barry Hayles frequently gave the impression that they would only be happy if they could dribble the ball into the net.

Despite the presence of Fowler, Leeds also lacked the necessary attacking punch to win the game.

O'Leary had deployed Fowler alongside Mark Viduka, with Alan Smith withdrawn to the right of midfield.

But in general the game's best openings fell to Fulham.

And on several occasions in the opening half those chances came when Leeds conceded possession in dangerous positions.

In the 14th minute that type of sloppiness saw Seth Johnsen dispossessed by Steed Malbranque on the edge of the Leeds' box.

The Frenchman quickly fed Luis Boa Morte, who ghosted past Rio Ferdinand and then hit his shot past Nigel Martyn.

The first step is to stay at this level - that is the priority for me

Fulham manager Jean Tigana

But Gary Kelly rushed across to clear the ball off the line.

After the restart Fulham once more dominated proceedings.

Just before the hour John Collins' free-kick brought out a good save from Nigel Martyn and soon after Andy Melville skied a shot high over the bar from a promising position.

On 79 minutes after good work by Mark Viduka, Alan Smith almost won the game for Leeds, but the England international's shot was well gathered by Van der Sar.

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Fulham: Van der Sar, Finnan, Brevett, Melville, Goma, Collins, Malbranque, Legwinski, Boa Morte, Saha, Hayles. Subs: Taylor, Clark, Davis, Ouaddou, Stolcers.

Leeds: Martyn, Kelly, Harte, Ferdinand, Mills, Kewell, Johnson, Batty, Viduka, Smith, Fowler. Subs: Dacourt, Keane, Robinson, Wilcox, Duberry.

Referee: G Poll (Tring).