UNITED: Warner, Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Crainey, Douglas, Derry (Stone 81), Nicholls, Lewis (Westlake 68), Healy, Horsfield (Morre 77). Subs: Sullivan, Foxe.
BIRMINGHAM CITY: Maik Taylor, Johnson, Martin Taylor (Tebily 51), Jaidi, Painter, Danns, Dunn, Nafti (Larsson 69), Campbell (Jerome 82). Subs: Doyle, Forssell.
Referee: S Tanner (Somerset)
Striker David Healy got John Carver's reign as caretaker manager off to a flyer with two goals inside the opening 15 minutes at Elland Road.
Healy rifled home an early goal to give United a sixth-minute advantage and, after Birmingham had bagged an equaliser, the Ulsterman converted a penalty to restore the advantage and make it a great start for the new caretaker manager.
Carver had made few changes to his first starting line-up, but with the luxury of a fully-fit midfield to select from he paired Kevin Nicholls with Shaun Derry for the first time and it was United who started with purpose and drive.
Jonathan Douglas came back into the side and the Irish international had United's first shot at goal inside the second minute when he screwed an effort wide of the mark.
Birmingham also had an early opportunity when Gary McSheffrey unleashed a stunning drive from 20 yards which rattled against the upright - but it was United who got off to a dream start with a sixth-minute opener.
The prolific Healy was given acres of space to collect an Eddie Lewis free-kick and his powerful finish left Blues keeper Maik Taylor with no chance. It was United's first league goal at Elland Road since the opening day of the season and was the perfect start.
That lead lasted just six minutes, though. Like United, Blues also looked lively going forward and they were back on level terms when Martin Taylor's shot came back off the post, hit the back of a diving Tony Warner, and crossed the line.
Yet, within 90 seconds, Leeds were back in front. Geoff Horsfield was felled by Marcos Painter in the penalty box and Healy stepped up to score his third spot-kick of the season to restore United's advantage.
Indeed, United could have been 3-1 up insde the opening 20 minutes. Healy had a cheeky back-heel saved by Taylor while Shaun Derry sent a shot fizzing over the bar.
It was a gripping opening to the contest, though, and Blues thought they were back in it after 20 minutes, but DJ Campbell used his hand to steer a cross beyond the reach of Warner and was booked for the offence.
The game continued at a fast and furious pace. Birmingham's movement was good up-front and United were frequently tested, but the hosts also looked re-juvinated as an attacking force and almost nicked a third goal before half-time when Matthew Kilgallon headed a Lewis corner over the top.
The play remained lively and entertaining as both sides showed a refreshing willingess to attack with a sense of purpose. and the feeling was that this game had more goals left in it.
Birmingham had a chance to equalise after 58 minutes when McSheffrey got away on the left. His cross found Nicklas Bendtner six yards out but he failed to get any power behind his header and Warner made the save.
The visitors felt they should have had a penalty on the hour when Bendtner went down under a challenge from Matthew Kilgallon but referee Steve Tanner saw nothing amiss and allowed play to continue.
United sent on Ian Westlake in place of Lewis after 69 minutes and the midfield man had been on the field only a couple of minutes before he was felled in a nasty challenge from Damien Johnson who was immediately shown the red card. The sending off came shortly after Horsfield had had a 'goal' ruled out for offside.
But in the 74th minute ten-man Blues drew level when Bendtner raced away on the right and unleashed a strong shot to level the game at 2-2.
United, however, had that never-say-die spirit about them and they went ahead in the 85th minute when Steve Stone's cross from the right, was bundled into his own net by Tebily, under pressure from Moore.The win ended a three-match losing sequence in the Championship and United fans gave their team a standing ovation.
