LEEDS ended Blackburn's unbeaten start to the season with a 4-3 win at Ewood Park on Sunday with all seven goals arriving in a 30-minute first-half spell.
The result also put paid to Leeds' three-match losing sequence and brought them their first goals in a month.
But their victory was marred by six bookings and the bizarre sending off of young Australian midfielder Harry Kewell, dismissed 12 minutes from time for a second yellow card imposed after he twice moved the ball as Blackburn tried to take a free-kick.
The outcome also meant that champions Manchester United, who beat West Ham 2-1 on Saturday, stayed league leaders, while Blackburn, top since August 12, remained second.
A close-range effort from Rod Wallace and a well-struck volley from Dutchman Robert Molenaar in the opening six minutes put Leeds 2-0 up.
Blackburn were level after only 16 minutes with an outstanding 25-yard drive from Kevin Gallacher and a Chris Sutton penalty, awarded after Molenaar hauled down Swedish international Martin Dahlin inside the area.