Leeds may have their hearts set on maintaining progress at the pinnacle of the Premiership and qualification for the Champions League, but they will have to put up with the distraction of the UEFA cup for a little longer.

Embarrassed by Maritimo last week, the Yorkshiremen romped to revenge in some style here last night. A pair of first half goals had the home crowd purring; a third after the interval reflected the very real gulf in class between the two sides.

So poor had Leeds been in the first leg in Madeira that improvement here was inevitable. Shot-shy and generally shoddy that night, the 1-0 defeat prompted manager David O'Leary to admit: "I didn't know the lads could play that badly."

That they did robbed him of any plans he may have had to rest personnel prior to Sunday's trip to Ipswich.

But the omens were mixed for the home side. Leeds may have lost only once at Elland Road in their last 17 European ties - and that against a Real Madrid side crammed with mouth-watering talent in last year's Champions League - but they had only once before prevailed in a tie having lost a first leg.

Furthermore, having fizzed the ball round in neat triangles with little hint of penetration, it appeared they would struggle to prise open these stubborn opponents, gripped as they were by defensive duties.

The Portuguese had successfully slowed the tempo and even found enough ambition to saunter forward. Jailton Dinda's blistering 40-yard free-kick forced Nigel Martyn to save smartly to his right, with Ferra Quim's follow-up bulging the side-netting. Much to the home side's relief, Dinda departed on a stretcher moments later, his injury a legacy of an awkward early fall.

Yet, with frustration mounting, Leeds found parity on aggregate. David Batty sprinted back 40 yards to dispossess Daniel Kenedy before lofting a pass into Keane's path. The forward, so out-of-sorts this term, needed some luck to flick beyond Van der Gaag before lashing his shot into the top corner.

Confidence boosted and rhythm restored, Leeds swept forward with Batty's stinging drive saved at the second attempt by Nelson Vasco. The former England international's partner in midfield, Olivier Dacourt, outstanding on his return to the line-up after a hamstring injury, promptly curled a 20-yard effort just over the bar.

A second goal appeared inevitable and duly arrived eight minutes before the interval. Rio Ferdinand's punt downfield was collected by Viduka, who had bent his run expertly around Van der Gaag to stay on-side. The Australian ploughed to the by-line and lofted his cross to the far post where his compatriot Harry Kewell calmly nodded past Lino on the goal-line.

Behind overall, Maritimo's philosophy changed at the break as they sought the away goal that might see them progress. Sergio meandered forward and forced Martyn to claim his ambitious shot; the England goalkeeper would have been better tested had the Portuguese matched the venom with which Dacourt blazed just wide minutes later.

With the visitors' shooting increasingly erratic, the home side retained their poise and potency. Viduka tore away from the hapless Van der Gaag but bizarrely preferred to pass rather than shoot with the goal gaping. Sergio did well to block Keane in a similar position before the Irishman skipped into the area, rounded Nelson and sliced his shot wide.

It mattered not. Within seconds Keane fed Kewell whose low shot proved too hot for the Maritimo goalkeeper. His flapped block merely presented the loose ball to Eirik Bakke who slid in a third.

LEEDS: Leeds: Martyn, Mills, Ferdinand, Matteo, Harte, Bakke, Batty, Dacourt, Kewell, Keane, Viduka. Subs Not Used: Kelly, Woodgate, Robinson, McPhail, Wilcox, Duberry, Burns. Booked: Ferdinand, Matteo. Goals: Keane 20, Kewell 37, Bakke 62.

MARITIMO: Nelson, Lino, Sergio, van der Gaag, Briguel, Albertino, Dinda (Joel Santos 17), Zeca, Marcelo Bruno (Andre. 59), Kenedy., Quim, Joel Santos (Gaucho 47). Subs Not Used: Gilmar, Alan, Shannon, Arriola. Booked: Sergio, Briguel, Zeca.

Referee: S Farina (Italy).