One of the loudest cheers yesterday afternoon, at our home game against West Ham, was reserved for Peter Risdale. The Leeds Chairman left the stand at half time to announce that next year's Season Ticket prices would be frozen. The club would even be announcing an interest free payment scheme to make payment easier for supporters.

"At a time of financial health and stability, we want to reward our fans for making almost all of our home games into sellouts."

Ahhhh.....doesn't it tug at the old heartstrings? But why the sudden gesture of goodwill? Could it have anything to do with the 5,000 bond holders, who will have to pay full price for their tickets next time round - after paying a much reduced rate for the last seven years? A cynic might say so - but I couldn't possibly comment. In any case, never look a gift horse in the mouth!

A second half winning goal by Ian Harte keeps us top of the Premiership table this evening. We looked extremely comfortable for most of this afternoon's game and deservedly took the lead in the 57th minute. However, as has been the case for most of the season, we squandered a series of chances which left us a little vulnerable with only a one goal cushion to defend. West Ham rallied for the last ten minutes, with Lampard bringing an outstanding save from Martyn but, despite last minute nerves, we held out for the win. To read a detailed report on the match, click here.

Elsewhere, Arsenal could only manage a 0-0 draw at home to struggling Newcastle - which extends our lead to two points, at the Premiership summit. Chelsea were stunned 3-1 by Derby at Pride Park but Man U beat Villa 3-0 to take second place in the table.

Leeds should be at full strength for the visit of West Ham tomorrow. Of course, a victory would keep us top of the pile and would be our eleventh win in twelve games. Man United, Arsenal and Chelsea all have very winable looking games - against Villa, Newcastle and Derby respectively - so a win is imperative, if we wish to keep up with our main rivals.

A full preview of Saturday's game is now available by clicking here.

Aresenal were tonight, rather unluckily, dumped out of the Champions League by struggling Serie A outfit, Fiorentina, thanks to a stunning second half strike by Batistuta. Of course, this means that they will join United in the UEFA Cup third round draw - should we be able to complete the job against Locomotiv Moscow a week tomorrow.

Who'd have thought it? Top of the league....Cup triumphs....yet, with a quarter of the campaign already gone, O'Leary's team strengthening priorities seem to have switched from attack to defence. Understandably so too, as recently we've looked a little leaky, conceding nearly twice as many goals so far, when compared to the same time last season.

Two names mentioned today are Newcastle's 28 year old centre half, Marcelino, who has been blighted by injury since arriving on Tyneside over the summer, and old warhorse, Colin Hendry. The latter would seem particularly unlikely, given O'leary's views on youth....but as for the Spaniard...watch this space!

Having not manage a Goodison Park goal for half a dozen seasons, we managed four yesterday! But still it was only enough to get us a point. A bit of a disappointment, especially with the last minute giveaway - but a fair result nevertheless....and a point we'd probably have settled for at kick off.

One of the most contoversial moments was Radebe's second half tackle on Don Hutchison which certainly got Walter Smith hot under the collar. However, although at first glance, it looked like we'd rather got away with it, the slow motion action replay shows that Lucas just managed to make contact with the ball first...Well, what else would you expect?

The Sunday rags linked us with Wimbledon hard man, John Hartson - a snip at £3 million (?) - but Peter Risdale today rubbished the story as "nonsense".

If past seasons' results are good predictors of results, then Leeds will be in for one of their most difficult away days this afternoon, when they take on Everton at Goodison Park. Despite our recent winning streak, we have never won a Premiership game at Goodison Park and Everton have yet to be beaten there this season.

For a full preview and match report, click here.

David O'Leary must be chuckling to himself at the thought that Alex Ferguson has started his annual mind games early this season. According to today's 'Daily Mirror', he claims that Leeds' stars are too young to keep up the pace.

"I said at the season's start that Leeds would challenge and they are doing." However, he added, "The question will be: Can they handle it?" Amusingly, he points out that the Man United youngsters who first won Fergie the title back in 93 were supported by the likes of Bruce and Cantona. What he fails to mention, though, is that we have a few 'older heads' to rely on too: Martyn, Radebe and Batty aren't doing too badly, are they?

As an interesting post script, Fergie's poseurs were hammered 3-1 by Spurs this afternoon. Their fourth defeat in five games leaves us sitting pretty at the Premiership summit, even before we play Everton tomorrow.

Bruno Ribeiro's frustration, at finding himself surplus to David O'Leary's requirements at Elland Road, ended today when he moved to Sheffield United for £500,000.

It ends an unhappy twelve months for the likeable Portugese U21 International, who became a firm favourite with the supporters during his first season at the club, following his move from Vitoria Setubal.

Only recently, he still spoke with fondness for the club that gave him an opportunity to taste Premiership football, "This is the best club I have played for and I would love to be in the first team again. Football is such a game of ups and downs."

For the record, Bruno played 43 times for us, scoring six goals. Supporters will wish him well - and, like Wijnhard before him, I can't help but feel that another Yorkshire club have got themselves a cut price bargain!

Leeds brushed aside top Russian outfit, Locomotiv Moscow, 4-1 at Elland Road tonight. Goals from Bowyer (2), Smithy and Kewell did the damage - although United also had Martyn to thank for two world class saves at the start of the second half. David Batty too turned in a real powerhouse of a performance to run the midfield for the Whites.

Locomotiv looked an excellent side and enjoyed a considerable amount of possession. It is a testament of just how far we've progressed that we could brush them aside so comfortably.

Ian Harte is now recovered from the minor knee operation which kept him out of Saturday's win against Sheffield Wednesday. However, he will face a late fitness test to see whether he is match fit to face the Russians.

Leeds supporters will be hoping he is fit to play as his absence on Saturday gave the defence a surprisingly unbalanced and fragile look. Although Kelly worked wonders in the left back berth, albeit playing everything with his right foot, it was on the right where we looked weak. Mills, despite a reasonable start to the campaign, is now starting to look a very dodgy buy at the price we paid for him. Against Wednesday, he looked short of pace, seemed to mistime the majority of his tackles and generally looked out of sorts every time the visitors attacked. What's more, as an attacking option, he offers little. A lumbering run past the half way line followed by a square pass seemed to be the order of the day. He certainly isn't in the same ball park as even a half fit Gary Kelly!

United have yet again been linked with Leicester striker, Emile Heskey. The 'Daily Mail' today suggested that O'Leary would be willing to wait until January to land his number one target - and that he would be willing to spend £12 million on the player.

Is this paper talk? Of course, in the past Peter Risdale has confirmed that United have made an bid for Heskey - but whether the fee was as inflated as this would seem unlikely. It is understood that Liverpool have expressed a willingness to pay £6 million for the player at the end of the season, when his current contract expires. This would seem a far more reasonable sum for a player who is far from the finished article and is still learning his trade at the top level.

Leeds made it nine wins out of nine in all competitions - by beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 at Elland Road this afternoon. However, we were not at our best and it took two late goals by Alan Smith to get us the three points.

The win equals a 68 year record - set way back in 1931. That was the last time the Whites managed nine on the trot. A win against Locomotiv next week - which is far from a formality - would see us set a new standard.

Despite Leeds' excellent recent run, which stretched to eight games following last night's Worthington Cup victory over Blackburn, David O'Leary is under no illusions as to the task facing United when they take on Locomotiv Moscow at Elland Road next Thursday.

The United Manager jetted to Russia on Tuesday to watch our UEFA Cup opponents in action. What he saw left him highly impressed: a 5-1 victory ove St Petersberg taking them into the next round of the Russian Cup. It extends their run to 14 wins in 17 games - and they haven't been beaten since July.

O'Leary admitted,"Locomotiv Moscow confirmed for me that they are a good young side who look to score goals and attack you," and added,"If we get through this round we will have done very well."

Clearly, they are going to be a completely different prospect to FK Partizan and - surprise, surprise - it looks like we might very well have been handed one of the toughest draws of the round (Remember, Locomotiv were only knocked out of the Cup Winners Cup at the Semi-Final stage last season, on away goals to eventual winners Lazio!)

However, there are a couple of plus points which keep me optimistic for the tie. Firstly, despite our recent record-breaking run, I think we can play a lot better than we have in recent weeks. We've been sneaking results without really playing to our full potential. I think we've still yet to reach our peak! Finally, let's not forget that with a much less experienced team last season we could - and probably should - have beaten Roma. All in all, then, it should be a mammoth tie!

We had to wait until the 90th minute tonight to see United finally cast aside Blackburn Rovers in the third round of the Worthington Cup. Brian Kidd will feel hard done by after pushing Leeds to the limit although it must be said that they did come to Elland Road with a rather defensive outlook. Still...who can blame them? They managed to hold out until the final minute when Danny Mills, recalled for the injured Ian Harte, stepped forward to shoot a free kick beyond Filan's grasp.

To read a full report of the game, click here.

We have been drawn away in the fourth round of the competition - at Leicester City on Wednesday December 1st.

David O'Leary and Lucas Radebe are certainly "singing from the same hymn sheet", in looking forward to tomorrow night's Worthington Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers, at Elland Road.

Whilst certain Premiership Managers might regard the competition as a low priority, United's Manager and Captain both regard it as important. O'Leary says, "We haven't won anything yet and we are not fussy what we do win," and adds,"we are trying to get some silverware for the club and the fans."

Radebe shares the Manager's views, stating,"We'll be disappointed if we get to the end of the season without any silverware," and continues,"We want to go as far as we can in the Worthington Cup."

Both teams have injury problems for tomorrow's game. With Harte out, it is difficult to see who'll be his replacement. The boss might decide to play Kelly at left back, with Mills returning to the right. Not an ideal situation but it might be the best we can make of a bad job. Lee Bowyer is also a major doubt following the injury he sustained in the U21 game at the weekend. It now turns out he is suffering from a groin strain rather than a hamstring pull.

Unlike some of the Premiership's top guns, United will certainly be taking the Worthington Cup very seriously again this season. Unluckily eliminated last season by eventual finalists, Leicester City, O'Leary sees the competition as an ideal opportunity for his young team to get his hands on their first bit of silverware.

If proof were needed of the manager's intent, it was revealed today that the club would be chartering a private jet - at a cost of £10,000 - in order that he could watch UEFA Cup opponent's Locomotiv Moscow play St. Petersburg on Tuesday night...and get back in time for the Blackburn clash the following evening.

Elsewhere, the names of QPR midfielder, Richard Langley, and Barnsley's Darren Barnard have again been linked to Leeds in the Sunday tabloids. Both would fit the bill, with the latter perhaps a sign that observers recognise our lack of cover in the left back berth.

David O'Leary must have winced as he saw Star Man Lee Bowyer limp off the pitch last night during England's U21 clash against Denmark. With next week's Worthington Cup tie, against Blackburn Rovers, looming on the horizon, the Leeds manager has enough injury worries to concern himself with, already.

Woodgate and Radebe both picked up injuries against Watford, last weekend, and whilst the former should recover in time for Wednesday, Lucas is still a doubt. Definitely out of the game is Ian Harte, despite original claims that his precautionary knee-op was only minor and would not lead to him missing any games. Now, it looks as though he could be out for at least a fortnight. It might even mean him missing the next UEFA Cup tie, against Locomotiv Moscow: a worry, as with Granville on loan and Hiden still not fully fit, we are a little short of cover in the left back department.

Howard Wilkinson's faith in the United stars who have set the Premiership alight so far this season, was more than repaid tonight, when all five Leeds players played their part in helping England U21s to a 4-1 win over denmark U21s, at the Bradford and Bingley Stadium.

Alan Smith and Lee Bowyer both got their names on the scoresheet, whilst the former crowned an excellent debut by helping to create two of the other goals. Michael Bridges didn't find the net but set both of his United's team-mates' goals: a superb through ball for Smith's opener and a clever chip for Bowyer to finish.Robinson made several crucial saves and looked assured between the posts whilst Mills, who was at fault for the visitor's only goal, made amends by assisting with Cort's third and, otherwise, having a tidy game.

The only down side of a thoroughly enjoyable evening was the withdrawal of Bowyer, shorlty after scoring. His hamstring injury will no doubt give the Leeds management team a few worries over the weekend, as they prepare for next week's Worthington Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers.

Stephen McPhail successfully came through his first competitive game for over a month, at Elland Road yesterday evening, when he was part of a United reserve team who lost 1-0 to their Aston Villa counterparts.

Meanwhile, David Hopkin helped Scotland to an unconvincing 1-0 victory against Estonia, last night, which takes them through to the Uefa 2000 play-offs. The goal, a John Collins penalty, was awarded following a dubious trip on Hopkin. David then managed to get himself a yellow card, ten minutes from the end of the game, which means he will now miss Saturday's game against Lithuania.

Jonathon Woodgate has been forced to withdraw from the England squad, due to play Belgium on Sunday, because of a nagging back injury.

It comes as a big blow for the United youngster, who has now had to pull out of successive international squads because of injury problems. What's more, he would surely have had a good chance of playing some part in the game - at Sunderland's Stadium of Light.

Elsewhere, Stephen McPhail is expected to play for Leeds' reserves tonight against Villa reserves, at Elland Road. It will be Stephen's first competitive game for over a month, since injuring his ankle during an international fixture, whilst playing for Eire.

A few weeks ago, it was looking highly unlikely that Leeds Sporting plc shareholders would vote to accept the BSkyB deal. However, at an EGM today at Elland Road, that is exactly what happened.

As a result, BSkyB will now invest £13.8 million into the club, to buy a 9.8% stake. They will have a member on the United Board and will serve as our exclusive Media agents for the next five years. It was this latter point which proved a stumbling block for some members, who claimed that United were selling themselves far too cheaply - and that, if we were to wait for a while, we would be able to earn many times the amount that Murdoch was offering. In the end, though, the deal went through with a majority, meaning that O'Leary has even more money available to bring a top name striker to the Club.

Elsewhere, there were some rumours in todays tabloids that Ian Harte would miss a chunk of the season to undergo a knee op. However, this proved to be scaremongering. The Eire International will only undergo a minor operation, which should see him back in Leeds colours for the Blackburn cup tie, our next match!

There was also more good news relating to Radebe. When our Captain was stretchered off yesterday, there were fears that he may be out for some time. However, thankfully, the damage was nowhere near as bad as first feared and he too should be back in time for the Worthington Cup tie.

It's a good time to be a White, at the moment!

Give or take 24 hours at the start of last season, when a win at home to Southampton put us temporarily at the top of the table, we now stand at the dizzy heights of the Premiership summit for the first time since that eventful April day at Bramall Lane in 1992. All this as a result of a 2-1 win at Watford, whilst Man Utd were well and truly thumped, 5-0 at Chelsea. It's the stuff that dreams are made of - although O'Leary is right to keep our feet on the ground, warning us that prizes aren't given out in October but at the end of the season.

To read a full report of the Watford game, click here.

Leeds today discovered their next round UEFA Cup opponents: Locomotiv Moscow. A tough looking tie but possibly not the most difficult they could have been handed. Unbelievably, with United once again not seeded, we could have been paired with either Ajax, Udinese or Celta Vigo. As it turns out, we will have to face an outfit who, like us, are on a red hot streak of form at the moment: 15 games unbeaten with ten successive wins. Impressive stuff!

I'm not sure how much depth there is in the Russian league. However, when you look at the form of teams like Dynamo Kiev in recent seasons and you bear in mind that Locomotiv are, at present, in second place in the table, you realise that they are going to be no pushovers. What's more, they reached the semi-final of last season's Cup Winners Cup, only losing on away goals to eventual winners, Lazio.