Homecoming gifts ease the pressure on Venables

Beneath the gun-metal skies of Terry Venables' east London heartland, Leeds United chose a fitting location to cast some much needed sunshine over their beleaguered manager's horizons yesterday. A first victory in seven league matches will be relief enough for Venables, but the disjointed manner in which it came suggested no one at Leeds can afford to relax too much yet.

With Harry Kewell in particular capitalising on some diabolical West Ham defending, the visitors roared into a 4-1 half-time lead. Yet by the time Ian Pearce's injury-time header flashed past Paul Robinson's post Leeds were clinging on, having been pegged back for the whole of the second half by a fightback instigated by Paolo Di Canio.

The irrepressible striker responded to reports that his contract would not be renewed by dragging his side from the brink of humiliation, scoring twice, one a penalty which he earned himself. How West Ham can possibly feel that life will be sweeter without him is a mystery; the pitch invader who ran on in the dying seconds to give the Italian a hug summed up perfectly the mood inside Upton Park.

Glenn Roeder was left to reflect on another glorious failure which leaves his side still without a home win this season. "We showed great character, but it was very demoralising to do that whilst letting in such woeful goals," the West Ham manager said. "I am very angry over our non-defending. We gifted Leeds four goals, which they didn't have to work hard for. The second half at least showed the players care but it's hard to take, trying to defend such a lack of quality."

Predictably, Venables saw it differently. "I thought we were magnificent in the first half," he said. "Today we came out and did everything well. We've got the result and it's good for everyone at the club, the players and the fans.''

One of Leeds' perceived problems this season has been their inability to grasp Venables' tactics, but their first goal after 12 minutes was straight from the route-one coaching manual. A soaring goal-kick from Robinson cleared the entire midfield and as Kewell bore down on Christian Dailly, the West Ham defender hesitated fatally. The ball bounced over his head and Kewell lobbed it past the stranded goalkeeper David James, where Nick Barmby arrived to score with a diving header.

Leeds surged forward but still found themselves level after the home side's first serious attempt on goal. A poor clearance by Ian Harte fell to Michael Carrick 30 yards from goal, Robinson was only able to parry his low drive and Di Canio was on hand to convert the rebound.

It seemed that a serious examination of Leeds' hitherto fragile resolve might be on the cards but the home supporters' cause for optimism was cut brutally short within eight minutes as Kewell rose unmarked to power home Harte's near-post corner.

Kewell then spurned another chance to extend Leeds' advantage but made no mistake four minutes before half-time, drilling home a weak clearance from Barmby's cross. It seemed things could not get any worse for West Ham yet Dailly's under-hit back-pass was seized on by Mark Viduka, who hacked the ball past James and rolled it into an unguarded net.

Having seen his team jeered off the field at the break, Roeder replaced the ineffective Tomas Repka with Sebastian Schemmel and the move brought immediate rewards. Di Canio was sent sprawling on the left of the area by Gary Kelly four minutes after the re-start and thumped the spot-kick past Robinson.

West Ham continued to press and when Trevor Sinclair left Harte trailing to head home Schemmel's corner, the fightback seemed possible. But despite the best efforts of Di Canio, who saw a late header brilliantly tipped away by Robinson, it was not to be.

"Di Canio did the damage for them," Venables admitted: "You just can't give him time on the ball." In this instance, and for years to come, West Ham might be wise to consider the wisdom of one of their own.

Goals: Barmby (12) 0-1; Di Canio (20) 1-1; Kewell (28) 1-2; Kewell (41) 1-3; Viduka (45) 1-4; Di Canio pen (49) 2-4; Sinclair (74) 3-4.

West Ham United (4-4-2): James 3; Repka 2 (Schemmel 6, h-t), Pearce 3, Winterburn 3, Dailly 6; Lomas 4, (Cissé 6, 51), Carrick 6, Cole 5, Sinclair 5; Di Canio 8, Defoe 5. Substitutes not used: Minto, Camara, Van der Gouw (gk).

Leeds United (4-4-2): Robinson 8; Kelly 5, Radebe 5, Lucic 6, Harte 3; Barmby 6, Bowyer 6, Bakke 4, Wilcox 4 (Milner, 83); Kewell 7 (McPhail, 90), Viduka 6 (Bridges 4, 75). Substitutes not used: Duberry, Martyn (gk).

Referee: S Dunn (Bristol) 7.

Bookings: West Ham: Repka, Cissé. Leeds: Viduka, Bowyer.

Man of the match: Di Canio.

Attendance: 33,297.