Liverpool go top as Diao goal sinks Leeds

Liverpool took advantage of an early kick-off to overtake Arsenal at the top of the English premier league with a 1-0 win at Leeds United on Saturday.

Senegal midfielder Salif Diao scored the goal in the 66th minute as Gerard Houllier's side won their fifth consecutive league match to edge one point ahead of Arsenal, who faced Everton later in the day. Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann created the breakthrough when his through-ball split the Leeds defence, releasing El Hadji Diouf whose low cross from the left was stabbed in by Diao at the near post.

Leeds missed a golden chance to equalise five minutes from time when Harry Kewell blazed over the cross bar from 10 yards out.

Liverpool remain unbeaten in the league after their seventh league victory of the campaign, while Leeds have taken just one point from a possible 12 since beating Manchester United in mid-September.

Liverpool, who left striker Michael Owen on the bench and were also without injured England duo Emile Heskey and Steven Gerrard, dominated the opening period.

The first chance of the match fell to Danny Murphy whose volley was deflected over the bar by Leeds defender Jonathan Woodgate in the eighth minute.

DEFLECTED SHOT

Leeds did not have a shot on goal until the 24th minute when Alan Smith's deflected shot from 20 yards spun inches wide of the upright.

Leeds grew stronger as the half progressed and Kewell went agonisingly close with a firm header that Jerzy Dudek just managed to tip over the bar.

Moments later Liverpool defender Djimi Traore almost put the ball into his own net as he stretched out a boot to block Smith's low, whipping cross.

A minute before half-time, Kewell outjumped Sami Hyypia to plant a powerful header against the crossbar.

The second half began in explosive fashion as Lee Bowyer clattered Bruno Cheyrou into the advertising boards with a full-blooded challenge.

The Leeds midfielder then squared up to El Hadji Diouf before the pair were pulled apart and spoken to by referee Steve Dunn. Two minutes later Ian Harte was shown the yellow card for chopping down Murphy.

Liverpool defender Hyypia almost broke the deadlock when he volleyed over from the edge of the area, while Traore forced Dudek into a desperate save with an over-hit back pass at the other end.

But a goal finally arrived midway through the half when Senegal midfielder Diao ran from deep to get on the end of his compatriot Diouf's pass.