Oh well....it's here at last! I just hope the website is in one piece by a minute past midnight! I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a great new Millennium. It's great to be top of the league for Y2K. After all, you only get the chance to achieve that once every....?

Thanks for supporting the site over the last twelve months. Things have really started to move this season and it's all down to you. If you get the chance, leave a greeting on the Message Board or the GuestBook. It'd be great to know you're there!

See you in 2000!

Rumours were circulating today that Batty might be available for the Villa game on Monday. If so it would be a major boost - especially as we will be without the services of Lee Bowyer, through suspension. What's more, Radebe is suspended, following his outrageous sending off against Leicester, and Hopkin is still injured.

Bridges will be suspended for the FA Cup tie against Manchester City on January 9th - a major blow given our lack of cover up front. Smithy will miss the Sunderland game on January 23rd - which should be a hell of a game. However, the loss of Lucas for the Stadium of Light trip is more of a worry.

We have again been linked with Porto's goal machine, Jardel, as well as Hakan Sukur of Galatasaray.

Of course, it is not the first time that the former has been linked to us in the tabloids - so it might be best to take the rumours with a rather large pinch of salt. Interestingly, in a recent Leeds United World poll, when you were asked who would be your ideal choice of striker for O'Leary to buy, the Brazilian came second to Flo of Chelsea, despite not being exactly an household name at present. Last season, he hammered 36 goals into the back of the net, making him the most prolific striker in European football.

It is thought the bidding for both players would start at £10 million - although neither fits into O'Leary's ideal criteria - of being "young British players".

Personally, though, I don't think it would be a bad thing to have a bit of experience up front. Obviously, all foreign stars carry with them something of a risk but, if an inspirational signing now could win us the Premiership in May, it might be worth a gamble!

We ended the Millenninum in disappointing fashion, this afternoon, with a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal at Highbury. Goals by Ljungberg and Henry did the damage, with the Gunners closing the gap between us to just five points. To read a report of the game, click here.

It goes without saying that every game from now until the end of the season is going to be crucial. With so much at stake, as we go for an unlikely three trophies, it's going to be edge of the seat stuff all the way!

And so to tomorrow's match against Arsenal....The team news is as bleak as usual but we're now starting to approach the kind of strength in depth that gives us a fighting chance in most games. Darren Huckerby picked up an ankle injury on Sunday and is unlikely to be fit for tomorrow's encounter - so Jason Wilcox may be in line for his full United debut. He certainly looked comfortable enough when he came on against Leicester. Of course, Batty, Hopkin and Smith are all still unavailable.

It's difficult to second guess what effect Arsenal's defeat against Coventry on Sunday might have had on them. Will it have deflated their confidence or, more likely, will it make them come out all guns blazing against us? It's actually a very similar situation to the game against Chelsea - where a United victory would leave the home side with an almost impossible mountain to climb to maintain an interest in the Championship.

Wenger is in the fortunate position to pick from a near full strength squad. The Gunners picked up no new injuries at Highfield Road and are boosted even further by the return of Patrick Vieira, who has just completed a seven match suspension. His partnership with Petit in the centre of midfield is certainly a frightening one - on paper at least - although the latter had a disappointing game on Sunday.

We beat Leicester 2-1 at Elland Road this afternoon - producing a superb display of attacking football. Despite going a goal down after only ten minutes, we showed our trademark strong character and not a little skill and artisrty. Indeed, had it not been for the heroics of Leicester's number two keeper, Pegguy Arphexad, we would have hammered our visitors. To read a match report, click here.

Things aren't looking too rosy for this afternoon's clash against Leicester City at Elland Road. Not only are we withour long term absentees Batty and Hopkin but Alan Smith is still not likely to be risked after his recent ankle problem. Even worse, Woodgate - who was absolutely outstanding against Chelsea a week ago - is rated as doubtful, as is Michael Bridges.

The situation up front underlines our need for a new striker - if we are to continue to challenge for top honours this season. Presumably, Kewell and Huckerby would be a replacement front pairing with perhaps new signing Jason Wilcox on the left.

For Leicester, Heskey and Lennon look to have shaken off injury problems and should start, along with own goal specialist, Frank Sinclair. Andy Impey, however, is doubtful.

It goes without saying that a win today is essential, with that tough looking trip to Highbury coming up in a couple of days time.

A Merry Christmas to Leeds fans worldwide and especially those of you who have supported 'Leeds United World' during its first year. All the best for the festive period...and here's hoping we can still be top of the Premiership table next May!

There wasn't much festive cheer around today for O'Leary, O'Neill and Wenger - as all three contemplated major selection headaches for next week's games.

Leeds will still be without Batty, Hopkin and Smith for Sunday's home game against Leicester City. However, our visitors aren't faring a great deal better. The Foxes are struggling to get Lennon, Guppy, Flowers and - most significantly - Heskey fit in time for the game.

Meanwhile, Arsenal - who we face on Tuesday 28th, are waiting on the fitness of Adams and Keown, with promising replacement centre back, Matthew Upson out for three months. Unfortunately, for us, Vieira should return to the team, following a lengthy suspension, to partner Petit in a formidable midfield line up.

The pressure seems to be mounting on Frank Leboeuf following his sending off against us on Sunday afternoon. Shown the red card following a second bookable offence, he then decided to stamp on Harry Kewell, who he had just sent crashing down.

Now, of course, faced with a possible four match suspension, he is eating big slices of humble pie - saying he is genuinely sorry to Harry and that the incident was completely "out of character". Unfortunately, though, this was his fifth sending off in Chelsea colours, which would suggest it perhaps wasn't such an isolated occurrence...and all this from a player who claims the Premiership is far too physical for his delicate little skills. The word 'hypocrite' springs to mind along with the phrase 'end of the road' as Vialli frantically searches for his replacement at centre back!

Alfie Haaland, out of favour in terms of regular first team football at Elland Road, is said to be topping the shopping list of newly appointed Bolton manager, Sam Allardyce.

However, whether the First Division outfit would be able to afford Alfie's wages is uncertain. What's more, he has stated on numerous occasions that he would like to fight for his place with us.

I for one would be extremely sad to see him leave. Like Wetherall before him, Haaland is a genuine Pro who has never let us down. I have been surprised recently that, given injuries to Batty and Hopkin, O'Leary didn't turn to Haaland to fill the midfield holding position. However, with results going the way they have over the first half of the season, the Boss's selection choices have been more than vindicated. Alfie will just have to suit tight and hope that, with fixture congestion looming, he will be able to play his part as a valuable member of the United squad.

I mentioned just over a week ago that the recent Spartak clash at Elland Road would be a game to linger long in the memory. You could definitely say the same about today's battle at Stamford Bridge, when O'Leary's young side progressed through another important rite of passage, outbattling an extremely impressive Chelsea team - to win 2-0.

For a full report, click here.

There was a major surprise today when United splashed out a reported £3 million on Blackburn's Jason Wilcox. The transfer came right out of the blue, especially as most supporters would not have thought a left sided midfielder was top of O'Leary's Christmas shopping list.

Wilcox was a real star when he first burst on the Premiership scene and featured strongly in Blackburn's Championship campaign. However, at 28, cynics might argue that he is a little past his best.

However, O'Leary no doubt sees him as offering valuable experience to a youthful squad. He is also versatile enough to play in left midfield, as a left winger, left back, centre midfield or even on the right flank - should the need arise. I would imagine though that his main position might well be to challenge Huckerby for the left wing position, thereby freeing Kewell to take up a more free role.

Being knocked out a cup competition is bad enough but knowing that you've been cheated leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. Anyone who witnessed Radebe's sending off last night would agree that justice had most certainly not been done. Whether we would have won with eleven men is debatable but it certainly would have given us more of a fighting chance.

As a result of all this, United are to lodge an official appeal against the sending off - so that Lucas won't have to miss the Aston Villa game on January 3rd.

What's more, the booking that Lee Bowyer received was even more farcical, especially when the linesman was standing just a few feet away. Unfortunately, under the present laws, clubs can't appeal against yellow cards. However, the fact is that it now leaves Lee just one booking short of an appearance before the FA. Thanks again, Mr Barber!

The day started with the news that we had been drawn against Roma in the Fourth Round of the UEFA Cup, the team who knocked us out of the competition at the Second Round stage last season. No doubt we will be looking to exact some revenge for what was an unlucky defeat - during O'Leary's 'caretaker' managership.

It ended with us being knocked out of the Worthington Cup by our bogie-team to end all bogie-teams, Leicester City. This time it was on penalties, following the dubious sending off of Lucas Radebe by Graham Barber which turned the game.

For a full report, click here.

Despite Eirik Bakke's Man of the Match performance in yesterday's FA Cup Third Round tie against Port Vale, it looks as if David Batty might replace him in Wednesday's Worthington Cup tie at Leicester.

The Filbert Street game represents yet another important fixture for O'Leary's boys. Although other 'big name' clubs have sneered contemptuously at the competition, the Leeds' boss knows only too well that it could offer him his first silverware of the season, come next February.

The only problem is that our opponents, Leicester City, also treat the Worthington Cup seriously, have an excellent record in it over recent seasons and have, until recently, been one of our bogey teams. It should make for a cracking cup tie in 48 hours time!

David O'Leary's young side may be straining every sinew to progress as far as possible in Europe this season. However, the United boss has made it clear on numerous occasions that he thinks this season's competition is seriously flawed.

His main gripe, of course, has been that Champions League sides are getting a second bite of the cherry after being knocked out of the premier competition, only to be dumped into the UEFA Cup.

Clearly his anger will be even more intense today upon hearing that the governing body have yet again moved the goalposts seemingly to suit the bigger clubs. It had been thought that there would be no seeding system in place for next Wednesday's draw and that Leeds would have a chance of meeting any of the remaining fifteen teams still left in the competition.

Now, though, we have been told that seeding will be in operation and...what a surprise..we have been left unseeded. All this means that we will face one of the following top sides in Round 4: Parma, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Roma, Monaco, Deportivo La Coruna, Athletico Madrid or Slavia Prague. Arsenal too, perhaps rather surprisingly, have been unseeded.

Eirik Bakke, getting an extended run in the team due to Batty's achilles injury, proved his worth this afternoon - scoring two second half goals to beat Port Vale at Elland Road. To read a full report of the match, click here.

The attendance was even worse than anticipated with just 11,192 bothering to turn up: a clear message to the Board that, even with the team in supreme form, they are unwilling to be ripped off (even though, in this case, it was the Port Vale directors to blame).

In the Fourth Round, we have been drawn against First Division high-fliers Manchester City at Maine Road. The tie, which looks to be the most attractive of the round, is sure to be televised - presumably on January 9th - and will bring back memories of some titanic FA Cup battles between the two clubs, particularly in the 1970s.

On Thursday night, almost 40,000 supporters crammed into Elland Road to see one of the most memorable matches in our recent history. All this for just £12 a ticket - with further concessions for family groups.

Tomorrow, however, the stadium will be less than half full to see the visit of Port Vale. All this because the visitors refused to accept Leeds' pricing structure - demanding instead that supporters should be forced to pay the full price of £20. A greedy and ultimately fruitless gesture, as they will receive lower gate receipts than if they had accepted Risdale's original plan.

On the footballing front, David Batty is still not 100% fit so Eirik Bakke will again deputise.

After the excitement of last night's action, we can now take a break from UEFA action until the new year, before looking forward to the fact that we're in the last sixteen of a major European competition for the first time in nearly a quarter of a Century.

The draw for the Fourth Round has been postponed until next Wednesday when we could be pitted against any of the other remaining fifteen teams - unlike previous rounds when there was a seeding system in place.

Leeds 1 Spartak Moscow 0. After all the name calling and propaganda, it was United who had the last laugh tonight: Lucas Radebe's header just six minutes from time putting us into the last 16 of the competition - on the away goals rule. We can now put Europe to one side until March when, thankfully, we will still be very much involved.

Reports in today's newspapers were suggesting that O'Leary was considering making a £5.5 million bid for Fulham's Geoff Horsfield. The striker, who was signed for only £350,000 from Halifax 14 months ago, is now one of the First Division's hottest prospects having notched 29 goals in 56 appearances for the club.

A good move? Well, there are some plus points: his local roots, the fact that he can play as a target man and his proven ability to score goals in the lower divisions. However, surely for £5.5 million we should be looking for someone with a touch more pedigree. I mean, if he is such a world beater, why weren't the local scouts watching him play for Halifax when Keegan stepped in to sign him.

Phillips of Sunderland has shown that there's no reason why the goals have to dry up when playing at the highest level. However, I still think Horsfield may be something of a gamble at the daft money being quoted.

Stephen McPhail, who left the field with ankle trouble in Sunday's 1-0 win at Derby, looks set to play against Spartak after all. O'Leary and his staff had originally feared that Stephen might have sustained a more serious injury. However, despite bruising and swelling round the joint, it now seems that the situation is far more positive. Thursday also marks his 20th birthday. Let's hope we all have something to celebrate at a quarter to ten!

Leeds beat Derby County 1-0 on Sunday afternoon, with what was virtually the last kick of stoppage time. The result takes us back to the top of the Premiership table. A full report can be found simply by clicking here. Don't miss it!

With Man United trouncing Everton 5-1 and Arsenal achieving a surprisingly easy 3-0 win away to Leicester, we slipped to third in the Premiership table this afternoon. What's more, Sunderland are breathing right down our necks following a 4-1 hammering of Chelsea at the Stadium of Light. All of which, of course, means that a win at Derby tomorrow is vital if we want to climb back up into top spot.

Bridges looks likely to pass a late fitness test and Radebe will return to the centre of defence. However, with Batty still not 100% fit, O'Leary may not wish to risk him - with the UEFA tie against Spartak Moscow coming up on Thursday.

We lost 2-1 in Moscow tonight but it could have been much much worse! After a really bright start, which saw us control play for the first 25 minutes and score a goal through Kewell, we let the home team back into the game to such an extent that they dominated almost the whole of the second half.

Not surprisingly, we missed Batts competitiveness in midfield and Lucas' composure at the back. Also, it is starting to become painfully obvious just how important Bridges is to us up front. He had a superb opening 20 minutes but was then injured - and we never looked the same team again.

With an important away goal under our belts, the game is far from over, with the Elland Road leg next Thursday set to be a sell-out. However, Moscow do look a genuninely classy outfit and we did look decidedly poor at times tonight. We will need a major improvement next week and on Sunday, against Derby at Pride Park.