Home is where the hurt is for Leeds

Resolute in defence and irrepressible in pursuit of victory, Liverpool were magnificent. They arrived as conquerors of Manchester United and Leicester, and this success in again denying their opponents a goal bodes well for the remainder of the season.

Heskey's return to form could not have come at a better time - for club as much as for country. This has been a desperate season for the England striker, but he scored against lowly Leicester in midweek and struck twice more in front of Sven Goran Eriksson here.

'That's three in 36 games,' came a shout from the back of the press box. 'Make that four!' was the response two minutes later. If his England place had been under threat, that would no longer appear to be the case.

Leeds looked second best from the moment this contest kicked off, a lack of commitment as well as concentration providing Liverpool with all the incentive they required.

Ferdinand opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a quite breathtaking own goal, but Liverpool should have been presented with an opportunity to inflict the first blow before the Leeds captain's remarkable contribution. Ian Harte shoved Michael Owen to the ground, and referee Graham Poll - who otherwise had an excellent game - appeared to be the only man present who did not believe it worthy of a penalty.

The home fans' sense of relief was short-lived, however. Dominic Matteo did not escape the attention of Poll when he fouled Heskey and, from Danny Murphy's free-kick, Ferdinand somehow volleyed the ball past a helpless Nigel Martyn.

The Leeds crowd grew increasingly restless and, as the match progressed towards the interval, O'Leary became embroiled in an angry exchange of views with a supporter seated just behind the dug-out. The Irishman doubtless vented his frustration on the play-ers on returning to the dressing room, but whatever he said failed to have the desired effect and by the 61st minute Liverpool had extended their lead.

Just minutes after Owen had forced a fine save from Martyn, a wonderful ball from Steven Gerrard sent Heskey on his way. Ferdinand played his international colleague on side and then looked on as Heskey dragged the ball wide of an advancing Martyn before finishing from the tightest of angles.

A less memorable but equally satisfying second came in the 63rd minute, Owen beating Ferdinand in a jump for Stephen Wright's flick on from a John Arne Riise corner before leaping out of the way to avoid Heskey's fiercely struck half-volley.

By now white flags had accompanied the white shirts of Leeds and what must have made the experience all the more uncomfortable for O'Leary was the sight of Olivier Dacourt and Harry Kewell limping off. Rushed back from injury to cover for missing colleagues, they appeared to be heading for a quick return to the treatment table.

A match that had been billed as Robbie Fowler's revenge was fast becoming a frustrating afternoon for the former Anfield favourite and to make matters worse he had to deal with the addition of England rival Owen's name to the scoresheet.

To O'Leary's dismay, Liverpool struck from yet another set-piece - on this occasion Heskey providing the ammunition for Owen when he met Wright's throw-in with a header that floated into the Leeds six-yard box. Again Owen beat Ferdinand in the air, sending his first attempt against the crossbar before securing Liverpool's biggest win at Elland Road with his second.

O'Leary had asked how much more could fate throw his way. How about the worst home defeat in two years?