Irish trio lift Leeds - January 25, 2001
Irish internationals Ian Harte, Gary Kelly and Robbie Keane lifted Leeds to a crucial win over Aston Villa last night.
All three started the game and played crucial roles as Leeds edged away from the relegation zone. Kelly and Harte had been dropped for recent games with manager Dave O'Leary citing poor form - but without them Leeds had been even shakier at the back, with replacement full backs Danny Mills and Dominic Matteo looking particularly dodgy.
Harte and Kelly's return gave the Yorkshire side the stability they had been lacking while, at the other end, Robbie Keane simply tore Villa apart.
He set up Ian Bowyer for Leeds' equaliser after Paul Merson had opened the scoring for Villa and then won the penalty for Leeds' winner.
And it was Ian Harte who celebrated a triumphant return by stepping up to hammer home the penalty.