Derby prove their point against Leeds

Should the gifted Australian manage even an hour in that vein, Keane's enforced absence - he played in a qualifying tie for Inter Milan - will hardly matter and Anderlecht's quarter-final hopes will surely be dealt a severe blow.

Summer signing Dacourt, yet to witness Kewell in full flow, said: 'Everybody told me he was fantastic, and he showed in 30 minutes that he is a big player. When he's not on the pitch, Leeds are not the same and he can be the difference against any team.

'When you're as good as Harry, just your presence can be a help. Derby were afraid of him, they had two men on him. The other team focuses on Harry and that means there are more options for others.'

Kewell delivered two dazzling crosses that fellow substitute Alan Smith could not convert, but it was the inspirational Dacourt, rested last month, who brought the save of the day from the splendid Andy Oakes.

Dacourt admitted: 'It has been difficult for me because in France we have a break but this year I didn't get one. By the start of January I was feeling tired, so the manager rested me because we have many games to come. That was wise, because now I feel so much better.

'Of course, I would prefer to maybe play not so well and for us to pick up three points, but Anderlecht will not play as Derby did. They are a big team, and big teams play to win. They will not be looking for a draw.'

However, the Belgians may be prepared to settle for emulating Derby, knowing that not even Manchester United were able to resist their powerful attack of Jan Koller and Tomasz Radzinski in Brussels, where Leeds must go on Wednesday week.

Maybe it reinforces the perceived wisdom that this season's Premiership is poor as Leeds still climbed one place to fifth in the table while Sunderland and Liverpool - their chief rivals for the vital third spot - played out a draw themselves.

Derby defended determinedly with a weakened side, although their bold 3-4-3 formation soon became a sham with Malcolm Christie often to be found in the trenches alongside his mid-field and Branko Strupar struggling on his rushed return from injury.

Jim Smith admitted he had no alternative and Strupar said: 'I could hardly run after 45 minutes but the manager asked me to stay on so I did not complain. I felt terrible, but at least the pain went. I'm just so tired.'

Strupar, Croatian-born but a naturalised Belgian, added: 'Leeds have two intelligent defenders in Lucas Radebe and Rio Ferdinand, but Anderlecht can hurt them if they defend in numbers then attack on the break.'