Tottenham kept alive their faint hopes of a UEFA Cup place as first-half goals from Steffen Iversen and Teddy Sheringham earned them a hard-fought victory over Leeds, who hit back after the break through Mark Viduka.

It was the first time David O'Leary had lost at White Hart Lane as a manager, and it dented his team's hopes of claiming that fourth Champions League place.

Iversen marked his 150th appearance for Spurs with the opening goal after nine minutes, and skipper Sheringham doubled the lead 19 minutes later.

The first goal came from a lovely move as Sheringham dropped deep and fed Ben Thatcher on the left flank. He flighted a teasing cross into the six-yard box and Iversen jumped between two defenders and tucked a header inside the far post.

The second goal was also well worked as Thatcher's long throw into the box was headed on by Dean Richards, and Sheringham knocked it down for Simon Davies to fire in a fierce shot.

The ball was charged down but Sheringham pounced in the six-yard box and hooked it into the roof of the net for his 10th goal of the season.

Leeds hit back after 51 minutes when Viduka beat Kasey Keller with a low drive from the edge of the box.

It was a lively opening as both teams came close to scoring inside the first 90 seconds.

Sheringham flicked a header into the box for Iversen, but his shot had the sting taken out of it by Danny Mills, and Nigel Martyn made the save.

Leeds went straight upfield and Robbie Fowler tried a cheeky lob, but Keller recovered well to palm the ball away. But inside the first 10 minutes the visitors fell behind to that Iversen header.

They tried to hit back and after 11 minutes Viduka rose well at the far post to meet Ian Harte's cross, but headed just wide under pressure from Anthony Gardner.

Smith showed his tenacity after 14 minutes when he beat Thatcher on the right and got in a good cross for Viduka. The Australian striker met it with a downward header and Keller punched it clear.

Spurs doubled their lead after 28 minutes and Leeds were facing an uphill task.

Leeds were quicker out of the traps after the break and were back in the game after three minutes thanks to Viduka.

They then enjoyed all the possession and all that was lacking was someone to get the equaliser.

O'Leary tried to provide the answer after 65 minutes when he took off David Batty and put on his fourth striker, Robbie Keane.

Leeds kept up the pressure and Keller saved a low drive from Keane after 74 minutes.

Spurs won a free kick in a good position just outside the left edge of the box after 77 minutes when Smith tripped Etherington. But Sheringham drove it over the bar.

Four minutes later Martyn then had to pull off a flying save when Sherwood's cross was headed goalwards by Iversen.

Stephen Clemence came off the bench to replace Etherington after 82 minutes, for his first appearance since suffering a knee injury in September.

Spurs have not given up hope yet of qualifying for Europe, but they would have to finish seventh and hope that a UEFA Cup spot is provided by Chelsea finishing outside the top four and winning the FA Cup.

Leeds must lick their wounds after successive defeats over the Easter weekend and get their Champions League hopes back on track.

Teams:

Tottenham: Keller, Gardner, Perry, Richards, Thatcher, Anderton (Poyet 62), Sherwood, Etherington (Clemence 83), Davies, Sheringham (Rebrov 88), Iversen.

Subs Not Used: Herschfeld, Thelwell.

Booked: Etherington, Thatcher.

Goals: Iversen 10, Sheringham 29.

Leeds: Martyn, Mills, Woodgate, Matteo, Harte, Smith, Bakke, Batty (Keane 66), Bowyer, Viduka, Fowler.

Subs Not Used: Kelly, Robinson, Wilcox, Johnson.

Goals: Viduka 52.

Att: 35,167

Ref: U Rennie (Sheffield).