Kewell lifts Leeds, Newcastle wins too

Leeds United closed to within four points of premier league leaders Liverpool on Sunday when Harry Kewell scored twice to give them a 2-1 victory at Blackburn Rovers.

Kewell's second-half double lifted Leeds's points tally to 28 from 15 games. Liverpool, who beat Middlesbrough 2-0 on Saturday, top the table on 32 points from 14 games.

Kieron Dyer made his long-awaited return for Newcastle United who moved into third place on 27 points after a 1-0 win at bottom club Ipswich Town.

Sunderland were held 0-0 at home by Chelsea in Sunday's other early game.

Arsenal, who have 26 points, were aiming to close the gap on Liverpool further by beating Aston Villa at Highbury in the day's final match.

On Saturday, champions Manchester United spluttered to their sixth defeat of the season when they lost 1-0 at home to West Ham United.

Leeds, with only one league win in seven before Sunday, created most of the best chances in the first half at Ewood Park, Mark Viduka twice testing Rovers goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

But David O'Leary's side had to wait until the 55th minute to go in front when Friedel could only block Robbie Fowler's shot and Kewell snapped up the loose ball.

Gary Kelly then swung over a fine cross for Australian Kewell to head the second seven minutes later.

"If I'd have missed them I'd have looked like an idiot," Kewell told Sky Sports television.

Fowler, making his second start since his 11 million pounds ($15.73 million) move from Liverpool, twice wasted chances to score his first Leeds goal late in the game.

Blackburn set up a tense finish when defender Henning Berg pulled one back seven minutes from time, but Leeds held on.

ASTONISHING SAVE

Peruvian international Nolberto Solano snapped up a rebound after Ipswich goalkeeper Matteo Sereni pushed out Laurent Robert's 20th-minute cross as Newcastle piled the misery for Ipswich, who have won only once in the league this season.

England midfielder Dyer, who has been sidelined for nine months by a shin problem, played the last few minutes of the 1-0 win at his former club as a substitute.

Ipswich's chairman David Sheepshanks warned this week that relegation would cost the club 10 million pounds and after 14 league games without a win his club are now four points adrift at the bottom.

Sunderland striker Phillips endured a day of frustration at the Stadium of Light.

The England international had a 47th-minute penalty saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini and missed two other good chances to clinch the three points.

But Sunderland manager Peter Reid, who left new American signing Claudio Reyna out of the squad, refused to criticise his normally prolific striker.

"He usually saves us -- he wins us games more than anybody. It was just one of those days," Reid said.

The result lifted Chelsea, who have drawn nine of their 16 games, to fourth place on 24 points. Sunderland, who have scored only 13 goals in 16 games this season, have 20 points.