Striker
Alan Smith missed a penalty as Blackburn picked up a
shock 1-0 win over Leeds at Ewood Park courtesy of a
Garry Flitcroft strike.
Rovers
skipper Flitcroft fired his side into the lead in
controversial circumstances after converting Keith
Gillespie's cross on 24 minutes. The ball appeared
to cross the deadball line but play continued and
Flitcroft swept home from 16 yards.
Smith had a golden opportunity to pull Leeds level
on 67 minutes from the spot but his tame effort was
saved easily by US international Brad Friedel.
Rovers could have been out of sight by that time after
recent signing David Thompson struck, but instead
play was called back for an earlier foul.
Leeds made the brighter start though and Mark Viduka
and Ian Harte both had chances to break the deadlock
before Flitcroft handed his side the lead against
the run of play. Rovers grew in stature after their
opener but chances were at a premium in a tight first
45 minutes.
After the re-start Nick Barmby forced Friedel into
a save before Thompson's 20-yard effort was disallowed
after Flitcroft had tangled with Olivier Dacourt.
Elland Road chief Terry Venables made three changes
on the hour-mark with Viduka, Dacourt and Harte all
making way and the move looked to have paid off when
Henning Berg was penalised for handling in his own
area.
In the absence of Harte and Viduka, England striker
Smith stepped up, but Friedel saved well to hand Blackburn
their first home win of the season and condemn Leeds
to their third Premiership defeat of the campaign.
