Blues went down 2-0 at Elland Road despite a spirited performance by Steve
Bruce's battling team.

A goal in each half from Erik Bakke and Mark Viduka saw off the Blues, who once again suffered further injuries to the side.

This New Year's Day fixture saw the surprise inclusion of Martin Grainger
alongside youngster Joey Hutchinson in defence.

Also back in the team after recovering from injury was Damien Johnson.

Leeds could have taken the lead as early as 50 seconds, when Jason Wilcox flashed a shot inches wide of the post from 25-yards.

There were strong appeals for a penalty after five minutes when Paul Devlin was clearly tripped in the box by Ian Harte, but the referee waved play on.

A minute later Blues were a goal down when Gary Kelly's cross was headed back across the penalty box to Erik Bakke who made no mistake with his header from close range.

Damien Johnson was the first Blues player to test keeper Robinson with a curling shot from the corner of the area which had to be tipped over for a corner.

Blues were now finding their feet and Kirovski fired just wide after a neat interchange with Clinton Morrison.

There were chances at either end midway through the half.

The first fell to Leeds when Bakke's neat back heel set Kewell free down the left and he crossed for Viduka who completely missed the target from six yards.

Blues then wasted a couple of relatively simple chances when Devlin's run set up Cisse and Morrison who sprung the offside trap.

Morrison took on the shot but fired straight at Robinson's legs and the deflection fell to Damien Johnson who hit a tame shot at goal with the keeper out of position but it was cleared by Gary Kelly.

Blues had another great chance on the half hour when Grainger's corner was headed goalwards by Hutchinson but blocked by Harry Kewell.

But unfortunately neither Kirovski or Morrison could force the ball home in
the melee that ensued. 

Harry Kewell tried his luck with a 25-yard effort that rolled past the post.

Bakke was the next Leeds player to try a shot from distance which flew straight into the arms of Vaesen.

The game was real end-to-end stuff and Blues tested the keeper once again when Kenna's through-ball was touched on by Savage to Damien Johnson, but he could only steer his shot straight at Robinson.

In the final minute of the half Harry Kewell flicked the ball over Michael Johnson but finished with a shot over the bar.

Half-time: Leeds 1 Blues 0

Leeds started the half brightly with Wilcox firing a shot that was blocked
by Kenna.
 
Moments later there were further claims for a Blues penalty when Savage
fed the ball into Morrison who appeared to be pulled back by Danny Mills but
still got a shot in at the near post which the keeper turned away for a
corner.
 
Despite Blues' protests, the referee failed yet again to give a penalty.

Harry Kewell then stung Vaesen's palms with a fierce volley and Alan Smith curled over from the following attack.

A mistake by Cisse on the hour allowed Kewell to break clear and the Aussie set up Erik Bakke who finished with a powerful shot that Vaesen saved.

Michael Johnson became the next player to join the increasing list of injured players when he limped off to be replaced by Geoff Horsfield.

Martin Grainger was next in the book for a foul on Erik Bakke in the 64th
minute.

Leeds doubled their lead in the 67th minute when Gary Kelly rode Cisse's challenge and crossed to the unmarked Viduka who made no mistake with his header.

In the 70th minute Martin Grainger limped off to be replaced by Darryl Powell.

This saw Steve Bruce switch to a five-man defence with Geoff Horsfield dropping to centre half again.

Alan Smith fired a shot over from the edge of the box and in the same minute teenage striker James Milner replaced goal scorer Erik Bakke.

There was yet another appeal for a Blues penalty when Cisse was bundled over in the box as he went to shoot, but once again Mr Dowd chose to play-on. 

Alan Smith was the first Leeds player in the book in the 77th minute for a late lunging tackle on Cisse.

As Blues tried to salvage something from the game Savage had a couple of poor long range attempts that flew over the bar and into the large Blues contingent behind the goal.

Despite all their efforts, Blues failed to break down the Leeds defence and
can now look forward to a week off from the Premier League as they
concentrate their efforts on the FA Cup.

Full-time: Leeds 2 Blues 0

Match report by Jon Shaw
Photography by Roy Smiljanic