DACOURT BACKS VIEIRA OVER INCIDENT

LEEDS UNITED midfielder Olivier Dacourt has leapt to the defence of his fellow countryman Patrick Vieira after it appeared that the Arsenal star kicked Dacourt in the neck in Sunday's fiery contest.

Dacourt, who scored the winner in the game via a deflected freekick, pledged to defend Vieira if he faces a disciplinary hearing from the FA.

"If the FA ask me, I will tell them that Patrick did what he did in the heat of the battle-and in his place I might have done the same," said Dacourt.

Vieira is set to face a trial by television for his clash with the former Everton star as well as what appeared to be a headbutt on Eirik Bakke.

Referee Dermot Gallagher missed both incidents during the match but the FA may consider to charge Vieira for violent misconduct having been caught on camera.

The former AC Milan star, who moved to Highbury in 1996 has had a poor disciplinary record at the club, and he was banned for five games earlier this season after being sent-off in the games against Sunderland and Liverpool at the start of the season.

He could now face a further three-match ban if he is found guilty of misconduct.