England round-up: Leeds undone by Flitcroft

Blackburn Rovers FC secured an impressive 1-0 home victory over Leeds United AFC today, as the two UEFA Cup contenders came face-to-face at Ewood Park.

Flitcroft strikes
Garry Flitcroft scored the only goal of a pulsating game that saw Blackburn eke out maximum points in the 24th minute. The hosts, who drew 1-1 with PFC CSKA Sofia in their UEFA Cup first round first-leg match on Thursday, took the lead when Flitcroft turned in a Keith Gillespie cross, though they came close to further goals when they twice hit the bar in the second half with David Thompson outstanding in midfield.

Smith denied
Leeds, who overcame the challenge of Ukraine's FC Metalurh Zaporizhya by a single goal in their UEFA Cup first round encounter, had the chance to draw level from the penalty spot in the 65th minute but Brad Friedel easily saved Alan Smith's weak kick.

Fourth place
Leeds dominated from then on, Friedel saving well again from Smith, but they could not find the equaliser and remain in fourth place on 12 points, five behind leaders Arsenal FC.

Villa hold on
In today's other Premiership match, Dion Dublin came off the bench to give Aston Villa FC a 3-2 home win over Everton FC after the visitors had fought back from 2-0 down in an entertaining encounter.

Everton fight back
Villa were two goals to the good thanks to two excellent goals by Lee Hendrie early in each half - the first a delicate chip, the second a low drive. But Everton hit back strongly, pulling one back almost immediately through Tomasz Radzinski and equalising with a glancing Kevin Campbell header after 66 minutes.

Dublin the hero
Everton then looked the more likely winners until Dublin cashed in on some hesitant defending to hook the ball in after 85 minutes, just four minutes after coming on as a substitute.