Leeds edge through

Kewell (centre) opens the scoring for Leeds

Leeds United 2-2 Grasshoppers of Zurich
(Agg. 4-3)

Goals from Harry Kewell and Robbie Keane were enough to see Leeds into the fourth round of the Uefa Cup at the expense of Swiss side Grasshoppers.

Grasshoppers equalised twice with goals at either end of each half but it was not enough to prevent David O'Leary's side from eliminating them from the competition.

After a scrappy opening, Kewell settled Leeds' early nerves with a superb solo effort in the 19th minute.

There were too many poor performances out there from my players

Leeds manager David O'Leary

Oliver Dacourt's lunging tackle poked the ball clear to Kewell deep inside his own half.

He raced up the pitch, taking the ball past the Grasshoopers' defence and finishing with a superb right-footed chip past the on-rushing goalkeeper.

The Australian nearly added another 10 minutes later when he hit the bar with a dipping left-foot drive and Leeds looked to be cruising.

But a mix-up between Rio Ferdinand and Danny Mills allowed Ricardo Nunez to steal a goal back for the Swiss team just before half-time.

Keane slots home Leeds' second goal

However, seconds later Keane finished well to restore Leeds' cushion.

The second half began more sedately with neither goalkeeper being tested in the early stages.

A mistake by Mills allowed Nunez through but Ferdinand did well to take the ball off the Swiss player's toes.

Mark Viduka then went close twice - once with a fortunate rebounded scoop shot and once with a rasping 25-yard drive which Peter Jehle did well to keep out.

If we had scored our goal 10 minutes earlier we would have had chances to score again and win the tie

Grasshoppers' Hans-Peter Zaugg

Nigel Martyn was also called into action to foil Luca Ippoliti from long range with a one-handed save.

Grasshoppers began to threaten more as the half progressed but Nunez's second goal - a well-taken low drive - came too late to give Leeds any real cause for alarm.

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

Grasshoppers: Jehle, Schwegler, Hodel, Castillo, Smiljanic, Cabanas, Diop, Tararache, Gerber, Nunez Pereyra, Chapuisat. Subs: Benaglio, Baturina, Spycher, Ippoliti, Morales, Jaggy, Mwaruwari.

Referee: F De Bleecker (Belgium)