• The tables below show details of all the matches covered by 'Leeds United World' in 1998-99
• Click on each fixture to read the full match report
• To see a complete list of ALL 98/99 results, including Premiership, domestic and UEFA cups, click here

Date	Opponents		F-A	Att.	Pts	Pos	Scorers
Sat Jan 9	Blackburn Rovers	A	0-1	27,620	33	5
Sat Jan 16	MIDDLESBROUGH	H	2-0	37,473	36	5	Smith, Bowyer
Sat Jan 30	Southampton	A	0-3	15,236	36	5
Sat Feb 6	NEWCASTLE UNITED	H	0-1	40,202	36	6
Wed Feb 17	Aston Villa	A	2-1	37,510	39	5	Hasselbaink (2)
Sat Feb 20	EVERTON	H	1-0	36,334	42	5	Korsten
Mon Mar 1	Leicester City	A	2-1	18,101	45	4	Kewell, Smith
Wed Mar 10	TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR	H	2-0	34,521	48	4	Smith, Kewell
Sat Mar 13	Sheffield Wednesday	A	2-0	28,142	51	4	Hasselbaink, Hopkin
Sat Mar 20	DERBY COUNTY	H	4-1	38,971	54	3	Bowyer, Hasselbaink, Korsten, Harte
Sat Apr 3	NOTTINGHAM FOREST	H	3-1	39,645	57	4	Hasselbaink, Harte, Smith
Mon Apr 12	LIVERPOOL	H	0-0	39,451	58	4
Sat Apr 17	Charlton Athletic	A	1-1	20,042	59	4	Woodgate
Sun Apr 25	MANCHESTER UNITED	H	1-1	40,255	60	4	Hasselbaink
Sat May 1	West Ham United	A	5-1	25,997	63	4	Hasselbaink, Smith, Harte, Bowyer, Haaland
Wed May 5	Chelsea	A	0-1	34,762	63	4
Tues May 11	ARSENAL	H	1-0	40,142	66	4	Hasselbaink
Sun May 16	Coventry City	A	2-2	23,049	67	4	Wijnhard, Hopkin

Leeds today completed a season of rich promise with a 2-2 draw against Coventry City at Highfield Road.

However, at 5.40, I'm sure I wasn't the only Leeds supporter to be feeling as blue as our new away kit. Not only had we seemingly managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory against the Sky Blues, but news was also filtering through that Man United had won the Premiership title. It didn't seem like the ideal end to such a good season - but at least Hopkin managed to pop up, seconds before the final whistle, to salvage a point for us - and to maintain our excellent recent record: just one defeat in thirteen games.

The match had started well enough, with a rather different looking Leeds side dominating much of the first half. O'Leary had surprised us with his team selection, with starts for Robinson, Wetherall, Wijnhard, Granville, McPhail and Ribeiro, none of whom had started the midweek game against Arsenal.

As early as the fifth minute, United could have taken the lead, with Coventry keeper Magnus Hedman pulling off a top class save to stop Stephen McPhail from scoring. Indeed, if it hadn't of been for the form of the Swedish international, Leeds could have been four or five up by the interval. Apart from the McPhail save, he also dived to hold onto a Wetherall header and stopped others from Hasselbaink and Wijnhard.

However, the Dutchman wasn't to be denied in the 43rd minute, scoring only his fourth goal of the campaign and his first Premiership goal since September. Jimmy took hold of a Batty pass to make good progress down the left hand side. His crisply hit shot went under the advancing Hedman, only for Wijnhard to tap in on the line. At first, the goal looked to have a hint of offside about it, but thankfully for us the referee, Steve Lodge, didn't see it that way.

However, if Leeds thought that the second half would continue in the same productive vein as the first, they were in for a rude awakening. No doubt spurred on from a half time roasting from Strachan, Coventry came out like a team possessed in the second half. Just after the hour mark, Aloisi levelled the scores, then less than ten minutes later, the traveling mass of Leeds fans were stunned to see a Telfer effort hit the back of the net. Suddenly, after dominating so much of the game, it looked like we were going to end the season with a rather anti-climatic defeat.

However, with just seconds remaining, David Hopkin hit his fourth goal of an excellent season to salvage a more than deserved point, managing to skillfully round Hedman before slotting the ball into an empty net from a tight angle.

Comment - Another season over and one of the best I can remember. Even during the last Championship success, we were never as popular as at present, with O'Leary's babes seemingly unable to do any wrong, as far as the media are concerned. Let's just hope Risdale and the Leeds board give the Leeds managing the backing he deserves, with three or four quality signings over the summer months. If so, then a Champions League slot should surely be within our grasp, next season.

Leeds saved the very best to the last tonight, beating reigning Champions, Arsenal, 1-0 at Elland Road. It was a game that had absolutely everything. We had already proved ourselves this season as a team willing to play football wherever possible. However, tonight, we backed this up with fierce determination, plenty of 'bottle' when many teams might have regarded the fixture as an end of season kickabout and lastly, a readiness to 'give as good as we get' when opposition teams visit us, looking for a battle.

Many observers, myself included, had wondered, prior to the game, just how much real desire there would be, both in terms of the players and especially the fans, knowing that an Arsenal defeat might very well result in Man United being given the Premiership title on a plate. However, it only took the opening few minutes of the match for the watching nation to realise that Leeds were very much 'up for it'. A few late Arsenal challenges and dubious refereeing decisions, from Gary Willard, helped to increase the intensity of feeling within the ground...and the atmosphere, is anything, got even louder and more extreme as the game progressed and the tackles kept flying in.

Leeds began the game like a runaway train and within the opening two minutes, David Batty was almost a very unlikely goalscorer. As the ball came to him on the edge of the box, the Leeds midfielder hit a sweetly struck volley just inches wide of Seaman's upright. Then, with the next United move, Jimmy found himself in space on the left, as an Arsenal move broke down. He whipped in a near perfect cross, which flashed right across the face of the Arsenal keeper's goal, with Alan Smith just a yard short of tapping the ball home.

This pattern of Leeds supremacy continued for the opening twenty minutes, with the visitors mainly restricted to the occasional counter attack. However, as the half continued, the crowd began to sense that Arsenal were coming more and more into the game. Anelka saw his cleverly placed lob tipped over the bar by Martyn, Overmars saw his powerfully struck low drive fly just wide of Martyn's left hand post, then the United keeper was on hand again to stop Tony Adams' firmly hit shot, blocking with his feet.

However, it was Leeds who were to end the half the stronger. Firstly, Kewell let fly with a screaming thirty yard effort, which Seaman just managed to palm away, with both hands, then on the stroke of half time we were awarded a penalty - a very rare opportunity for us at Elland Road this season.

Smith chased a ball into the area, shadowed by Keown. However, with the Leeds youngster seemingly going nowhere, as he attempted to stop the ball from going over the dead-ball line, the Arsenal centre-half had a real rush of blood to the brain, and felled him unceremoniously. Gary Willard pointed to the spot and up stepped Ian Harte, fresh from his recent penalty success at West Ham, to take the kick. He decided upon a good old fashioned blast right down the centre of the goal. However, although the ball had beaten Seaman, it did not beat the post. It rebounded back into play after hitting the underside of the crossbar and Jimmy's well hit return was again blocked on the line. Arsenal had survived - and you could almost hear the groans of despair from across the Pennines (or the home counties, more likely !)

The second half began at very much the same tempo as the first period had closed. However, if anything, the passion and desire seemed to increase. In the opening half, Willard had been more than a little card happy, but thankfully booking Arsenal players rather than ours. However,as the second half flashed by, it was now our turn to feel the referee's wrath, as the yellow cards piled up. As the game got more and more niggly, it began to look like someone might end up getting their marching orders. We just hoped it wouldn't be one of our players, with both Jimmy and Smithy getting a little hot under the collar, on occasions.

With just less than half an hour remaining, and with the Arsenal manager getting more and more frustrated at his side's inability to score the opening goal, he threw on the intriguing figure of Kanu, who started to cause mayhem with his loping running style. Then Diawara came on for Parlour, as Wenger gambled everything on a win, playing four up front. It was clearly going to be make or break stuff!

Suddenly, it was backs to the wall time, as the visitors piled on the pressure, with Bergkamp, Adams, Kanu and Diawara all enjoying good chances. Still, whatever they tried, we seemed up to it. Martyn was in inspirational form, using just about any part of his anatomy, where necessary, to keep the Gunners at bay. Radebe was his usual majestic self whilst Woodgate had his best game yet in a Leeds shirt. He seemed to be everywhere, pulling off several goal saving challenges, most notably from Denis Bergkamp, then heading bravely off the line from Diawara when, with Martyn for once beaten, a goal seemed a certainty.

With play moving into the last ten minutes, though, events suddenly swung in our favour. Nigel Winterburn, always solid at the back, was involved in an accidental clash with Haaland. Alfie's knee connected with the bridge of the Arsenal players nose, leaving him concussed and heavily bleeding, as play was held up for over five minutes. Vivas, his replacement, would shortly play a significant role.

Just a few minutes later, a miskick by Seaman led to Batty trying to cheekily lob his England colleague from thirty yards out. However, with the keeper helplessly stranded, the ball sailed just inches wide. Would that be our last opportunity?

No way. Just a minute later, Harry made yet another jinking run down the left wing - but this time his tantalisingly floated cross found Jimmy, unmarked at the far post. Vivas, who should have been marking him, was badly out of position, and Hasselbaink gleefully headed the ball into the back of the net.

What followed was a very nervous ten minutes (there were over six minutes of injury time), as Arsenal threw everything but the kitchen sink at us. Yet there was no sense of panic amidst the United ranks and we held on impressively to seal a fantastic win.

Comment - Not the biggest win of the season - but probably the best. It would be difficult to pick a Man of the Match, such was the commitment of all, but if I had to single out one it would be Woodgate, who played with a maturity way beyond his years throughout the entire game.

After the euphoria of Saturday's result, our eleven match unbeaten run came to a shuddering end at Stamford Bridge tonight - and with it our chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League. A second half Poyet strike decided the game, but we could have few complaints with the result, following a largely below par performance.

O'Leary began with the same eleven who had started against West Ham, with Hopkin's return from injury gaining him a place on the bench. However, it was the home team who made by far the better start and, but for the inspired form of ever reliable Martyn, we could have found ourselves several goals down.

Firstly, within the first quarter of an hour, he managed to palm away a shot by Morris, who then saw the rebound blasted uncharacteristically over the bar by Zola. After 20 minutes, he beat out another fine effort, this time from Poyet, from the edge of the box. Then, in the final fifteen minutes of the opening period, he saved at full stretch from Flo, as the Norwegian striker must have thought his effort was going into the bottom corner of the net.

Martyn's team-mates also played their parts in keeping the scoreline blank prior to the interval, with Woodgate thwarting Poyet, when the latter seemed certain to score, then pulling himself up in time to prevent Morris from netting the rebound. Then, it was Batty's turn to clear the ball off the line from a dangerous Chelsea corner.

Our attacking play before half time was severely limited, with our first really dangerous opening not coming until after the half hour mark. After good work from Jimmy, out wide, his cross found McPhail, who failed to beat DeGoey from close range. O'Leary must have harsh words for his youngsters for producing such a lack lustre opening forty five minutes, especially since he had stated prior to the game that he wanted us to continue to play the attacking football, for which we are starting to gain a deserved positive reputation.

The second half, though, continued in much the same fashion, with Chelsea on top. However, at least we started to come into things a little more - and show the kind of spirit which has produced such inspired results of late. Predictably, it was Kewell who was at the centre of the action, surging past three Chelsea defenders, only to end with a disappointing final shot, straight at DeGoey.

Unfortunately, it was Chelsea who took the lead with exactly a quarter of the game remaining, Vialli made what was to prove to be an important substitution, replacing Jody Morris with Goldbaek, the latter just minutes later playing a significant part in the goal, linking with Le Saux, whose cross was headed in by the impressive Poyet.

Now a goal down and with time ticking away, we began to press for an equaliser. However, for all the huffing and puffing in midfield, we never really looked like breaking down the Chelsea rearguard, with Desailly and LeBoeuf outstanding at the back and DeGoey rarely looking troubled. Jimmy and Bowyer both had quickfire shots at goal but both efforts sailed disappointingly wide.

So, an impressive run comes to an end and, unless UEFA have a change of heart, it looks as though we'll have to wait until next season, at the earliest, to get a crack at the Champions League.

Comment - A slight anti-climax, with the lads not able to raise themselves on the evening. However, few could complain with what O'Leary and his team have achieved in the last six months. We certainly would have accepted fourth place at the start of the season. What's more, there's still the Arsenal game to look forward to, although there's certainly going to be a peculiar atmosphere at Elland Road next Tuesday - where a Leeds win might very well hand Man Utd the Premiership title on a plate.

"We are the Champions, Champions of Europe...We are the Champions..." Well, not quite, but at least we'll get another chance of European glory next season, following this afternoon's bizarre 5-1 win at Upton Park. The victory, coupled with Villa's defeat at Old Trafford means we can now finish no lower than fourth which, of course, would be enough to guarantee us a place in next season's UEFA Cup. The only question which still needs to be answered is whether we can still manage to finish in third place, to get that elusive Champions League slot. Wednesday's game at Stamford Bridge should go a long way to deciding that.

Onto this afternoon's game, though, and you would have to go a long way to find one as eventful and controversial. Apart from the six goals, the referee, a Mr Rob Harris, had a hectic ninety minutes, showing ten yellow cards and three reds: the latter, all to West Ham players!

The traveling army of Leeds fans should have known they were in for a good afternoon, when top scorer Jimmy notched his nineteenth goal of the season, within one minute. In fact, the goal, timed at just eighteen seconds, was by far United's fastest of the campaign. Lee Bowyer, a perpetual thorn in our games against the Hammers, played a cutting through ball from midfield to Hasselbaink, who calmly slotted the ball past Shaka Hislop.

It was just after the quarter hour mark, however, when Mr Harris gave us our first glimpse of where the afternoon was heading. Ian Wright had already been booked and now received his marching orders for a second offence. At first sight, it wasn't clear exactly why the referee had pulled out another yellow card. A free kick had just been given for a foul on Kewell, when the Hammer's dangerman appeared to show dissent to one of the assistant referees.

To their credit, West Ham continued to play their traditional blend of thoughtful football and could have drawn level before the break, when Sinclair headed wastefully over the bar, following a neat move involving the dangerous Eyal Berkovic. Indeed, despite their numerical disadvantage, it would be fair to say they had an equal share of possession during the remainder of the first period, with Lampard and Moncur also having opportunities to equalise.

However, with the first half slipping into injury time, the game appeared to be over as a contest. With United always a threat on the counter attack, with the pace of Jimmy, Kewell and Smith, the latter two combined neatly for Alan to grab his ninth goal of an excellent first season.

With news that Villa had equalised at Old Trafford, O'Leary's half time team talk must have emphasised the fact that this was a game Leeds needed to win. However, if this was the case, they slipped up within five minutes of the restart: the rejuvenated Di Canio finishing off a beautiful move down the right, following yet more good work from Berkovic. Upton Park erupted, sensing that the home team were very much back in the match.

What happened, though, was that, with West Ham throwing everything at the Leeds goal, the game really began to be stretched. With the home team leaving horrendous gaps at the back, you always sensed that, with our afore-mentioned counter attacking prowess, a Leeds third might very well be on the cards.

It came amidst even more controversy, just after the half hour mark. Hasselbaink picked up on a long ball and sprinted into the area, only to be brought down by Hislop. The referee instantly pointed to the penalty spot, but worse still for West Ham, with Jimmy otherwise clean through on goal, adjudged the offence worthy of a red card. With the home team now down to nine men, and with Upton Park in tumult, Ian Harte calmly stepped up to beat substitute keeper, Forrest, from the spot.

Suddenly, West Ham's spirits drooped. Not only had they seen the match slip away from them , in that one incident,but also their slim hopes of catching us in the race for European qualification. The way we further punished them was almost cruel, with two goals in a single minute. Firstly, Bowyer got his customary goal against the team he supported as a boy, lashing home an unstoppable right foot shot from almost twenty yards out. Then, with the ground emptying, Haaland - returning after international duty - stepped up to make it 5-1, with his first goal of the season.

All that was then left was for Mr Harris to send off the third West Ham player of the afternoon, Steve Lomas!

Listening to Radio 5 Live after the game, the reporter described the match as "bizarre, controversial and surreal". I don't think anyone would argue with that.

Comment - At last, we've done it: fourth place is guaranteed, as is Europe next week. Now we can relax a little on Wednesday and hope for a victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. If we could pull that off it would make the last two matches, against Arsenal and Coventry, even more special.

Leeds extended their unbeaten run to ten games, edged a point closer to European qualification and, most importantly, dented Manchester United's title bid - with a 1-1 draw this morning, at Elland Road.

On a beautifully sunny morning, with the pitch looking as green as for a pre-season friendly, expectations were high amongst Elland Road's highest crowd of the season: 40,255. These expectations were raised even further by the fact that O'Leary signed a new five year contract immediately before the game, stressing his commitment to the cause. Then, on the team front news, Jimmy was passed fit to play - a massive boost - and Stam, who had been due to start the game, pulled out after aggravating his injury during the pre-match warm up.

Leeds started in ideal fashion. The majority of supporters amongst the sell out crowd were looking for Leeds to start in blood and thunder fashion, and that is exactly what they gave us. I could tell it had been a pulsating opening when, after about fifteen minutes, I realised that, along with the fans sitting around me, I had forgotten to sit down after the usual "Stand up if you hate Man U" chant.

Bowyer had two decent chances in the first quarter of an hour, blasting the best of these over the crossbar, after a neat Leeds build up. Then Kewell, Harte and Smith each saw efforts go wide of the mark. The Leeds pressure was incessant. Apart from our skill factor being higher than our opponents, we were matching this with total work rate and commitment. Batty and the aforementioned Bowyer were completely dominating Keane and Butt in midfield and Harry was doing severe damage down the left flank. However, I'm sure I wasn't the only one starting to wonder whether the fact that we'd not turned our first half superiority into goals might come back to haunt us later.

These worries, though, were eased somewhat just after the half hour mark, with Jimmy notching his eighteenth goal of another prolific campaign. Kewell capitalised upon a defensive error and surged towards the Man U penalty area. He played a pass to Hasselbaink but it looked, at first, as though the Dutchman had taken the ball too wide. However, somehow he managed to squeeze the ball past Schmeichel and off the post, into the net. Elland Road erupted as never before, this season.

Still the pressure continued up to the break. In the back of my mind, I just couldn't see how we could keep up this incessant tempo for ninety minutes. A second goal would just help to give us a cushion. However, despite efforts from Batty (A header, would you believe?) and another excellent glancing header from Kewell, the score remained the same at half time.

Predictably, after presumably receiving a half time tirade from Ferguson, Man Utd improved considerably after half time. Although they were still a pale shadow of the team that had beaten Juventus on Wednesday, they were starting to control the tempo of the game more and carve out some chances of their own. Our biggest worry throughout the game was the fact that we don't, at present, have a genuine right back in the team. Woodgate had filled in there previously, but is wasted in that position, and in the last couple of games, Jones has given it his best shot. He clearly looks like yet another promising lad. However, throughout the game today he lacked the pace and the positional sense to play the right back role. Time after time Blomqvist turned him inside out, the only thing saving Jones the ability to pull off a series of last ditch, but thankfully well timed tackles.

Every time the ball went down the Manchester left, it was heart in the mouth stuff and the defence as a whole were just starting to look a little shakier than they had in the first half. It didn't come as any great surprise when our opponents equalised ten minutes into the second period. The ball was whipped into the far post and met by the advancing Butt. Martyn pulled off an excellent save but there was Cole to nudge the ball home. Utter desolation.

The rest of the game was on a knife edge. Although not matching either the pace or the skill level of the first forty five minutes, it was still a whole-hearted affair with both teams looking like they might pinch the winning goal. This was typified by the events of the last five minutes, with Smith capitalising on a mistake by May but failing to beet Schmeichel from 18 yards out. Then, deep into injury time, Yorke had a superb opportunity to steal all three points but blasted the ball over the bar, with what was just about the final kick of the game.

Comment - A brilliant spectacle. A full house and a real 'up and at 'em' performance, especially in the first half when some of our play was breathtaking. Disappointing that we didn't reinforce our superiority, at that stage, but in the end a draw was a creditable result against a team who might very well, God forbid, be European Champions by the end of the season. Radebe, Kewell and Smith had storming games but it would be difficult to fault any of the men in white out there today.

Leeds failed to capitalise on their fourth place slot, managing only a draw against relegation strugglers, Charlton, at the Valley. What's more, United can count themselves extremely fortunate to come away with even a point, following a poor display which saw the home team, even when reduced to ten men in the second half, constantly look like the ones most likely to score.

The first half began rather scrappily with neither team really taking the initiative. However, Charlton were the first to settle, with Hunt having several half chances during the first quarter of an hour. However, these were all dealt with comfortably by Nigel Martyn. The best of these opportunities came on 13 minutes, where he combined with Pringle to drive at Martyn from 18 yards - with the Leeds keeper making a good save.

Unfortunately, though, United did not take heed and it was the home side who deservedly took the lead on 20 minutes. A cross from the left was headed back across the Leeds area by Pringle, where Graham Stuart, a recent signing from Sheffield United, struck a looping volley past Martyn.

Leeds were suddenly stunned into action. Just four minutes later, Charlton conceded a free kick. The resultant set piece was completed in unlikely fashion, with Woodgate arriving from seemingly nowhere to score only his second goal of the campaign, volleying into the net from just five yards out.

Still, though, Leeds could not build up any momentum from this and Charlton could again have taken the lead, prior to the interval. David Batty, not having one of his better games, was dispossessed by Mills in midfield, who raced straight towards goal, forcing a fine save from the Leeds keeper.

It is anyone's guess what O'Leary and Gray might have said to their team during half time, since certainly this had been their most disappointing half since the Southampton defeat in January. Whatever, though, there wasn't much evidence of an improvement as the second half got underway, with Charlton still pressing and, at times, Leeds finding it difficult to get out of their own half.

Two highly significant moments, though, took place in the first 20 minutes. Firstly, Woodgate was transformed from hero to villain, pulling down the resourceful Pringle, to concede a penalty. Paul Mortimer stepped forward, sending Nigel Martyn the wrong way but fortunately, for us, his shot struck the post and rebounded clear.

Then, in the 65th minute Richard Rufus was dismissed, seemingly for a stamping incident on Matthew Jones, surely turning the game in Leeds' favour. However, still this did not prove to be the case. Even down to ten men, it was Charlton doing all the pressing. In fact, they could have taken all three points at the very death. Kinsella, who had been magnificent throughout, crashed a free kick against Martyn's crossbar with the Leeds keeper well beaten.

Comment - A big disappointment! Is it my imagination or has a slight cloud descended over us during the last week? I know we're still nine matches unbeaten, which is a magnificent achievement. Yet the anti-climax of the Liverpool game, the Korsten debacle, Molenaar's latest setback and now this lack lustre performance have taken the wind out of our sails a little. O'Leary was diplomatic after the game, admitting that some of his young stars had lost a little of their 'sparkle'. However, with Villa and West Ham both enjoying good wins today, he would have surely been hoping for a victory today, to cement us in fourth place. Of course, everything will be back on the rails if we can get a victory a week tomorrow against a certain team from across the Pennines.

With all the records at stake (Leeds hadn't achieved the double over Liverpool since 1971/72 - and hadn't won eight in a row since before the Second World War!), it was perhaps hoping for too much to expect a victory tonight. With Liverpool a pale shadow of yesteryear and adopting a defensive formation to counteract our attacking flair, a relatively disappointing game petered out into a predictable 0-0 draw.

Before the match, David O'Leary was presented with his hugely deserved Manager of the Month award for March - and as the game kicked off, it was his side who started the most effectively. Certainly, there wasn't the same casual approach of the last home game, against Forest. The players were well and truly 'up for it', with both Hopkin and Batty receiving early bookings, the latter for dissent.

However, with both teams adopting a 4-4-2 formation, it soon became clear that it would be difficult for either set of attackers to break down their opponents' defence. Leeds had started with Gunnar Halle at right back, to give them a little more balance, but he limped off after 22 minutes, to be replaced by youngster, Matthew Jones. However, perhaps even more significantly, Michael Owen was substituted two minutes later, with hamstring trouble. Although Houllier had a more than able replacement on the bench, in Riedle (Remember his goal at Elland Road last season?), it was obvious that the reds would miss Owen's lightning pace, especially on the counter attack.

In the opening period, chances were few and far between, although Leeds had the better of things, enjoying the bulk of possession. However, it wasn't until just before the interval that a couple of significant opportunities materialized. First, a dazzling run by Kewell took him past Gerrard and his whipped cross found Hasselbaink stretching at the far post. Jimmy managed to reach it but, unfortunately, his goalbound shot was blocked on the line by Matteo. Then, a couple of minutes later, another Kewell run led to another chance for Hasselbaink. However, this time the Leeds' attacker saw his powerfully driven shot fly just wide of the left hand post.

The second half began with Leeds still looking the most likely team to break the deadlock, as Hasselbaink blasted another shot at James' goal. However, as the minutes passed by, there was a feeling in the stadium that the game might well have a 0-0 draw written all over it. Leeds were playing some attractive football up to the edge of the area, with their now trademark neat crisp passing movements, but as soon as they got near the box, things broke down. Flicks which, in previous games, had come off, certainly weren't tonight, although, to their credit, Liverpool defended surprisingly well on the evening.

With time now ticking away Liverpool were relying on infrequent counter attacks to try to gain what would have been a totally undeserved win, whilst Leeds were starting to rely on long distance efforts to break the deadlock: always a true sign of frustration. Bowyer had a couple of good efforts, in this respect. The former, a beautifully struck attempt from the corner of the area just missed the top of James' right hand post whilst the latter, a subtle chip, sailed just over the crossbar.

Overall, though, a goalless draw was predictable. This wasn't a bad game but both teams' defences were well and truly on top throughout the game. Liverpool would have been more pleased with the outcome. Houllier's defensively orientated team selection suggested that he would have been more than happy with a point.

Comment - It's a sign of the times when Leeds go into a game against Liverpool as clear favourites and when fans leave the game complaining that we've only managed a draw against them. However, such are the high expectations that O'Leary's exciting young team are creating for themselves. Despite the disappointment of not continuing our winning streak, the most important thing tonight was not to get beaten. In the meantime, the Leeds' manager will be looking ahead to the close season to strengthen his squad. The biggest area of concern at the moment is on the right hand side, with a right back the major necessity.

In seasons of old, when things weren't quite as rosy as they are at present, this would have been the type of game where Leeds would have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, letting everyone down in the process. But not the United of today. Such is the confidence running throughout the team at present, that there was a sense of quiet inevitability that we would continue our impressive run, brushing aside a struggling Forest team, to finish as deserved 3-1 victors.

Walking into the ground, with the sun beating down on a glorious Summer's afternoon, I can't remember there being such a relaxed atmosphere amongst the spectators. As I listened to O'Leary, prior to the game, stating that complacency wouldn't be tolerated, I couldn't help but feel that this might be easier said than done. The combination of a young team in the midst of a great run, playing struggling opponents on a baking warm afternoon didn't strike me as ingredients for all out aggressive football. And so it proved, especially during the opening third of the match.

During the first half, Leeds always looked to be in control but there were times when it looked more like a pre-season friendly or 'five-a-side' kickabout than a crucial Premiership encounter. We passed the ball round at a leisurely pace, allowing Forest to defend deep. Indeed, there were times when it seemed we were intent on trying to pass the ball into the net.

That basically summed up the first half, with very few clear cut opportunities and even the odd scare as defensive lapses, normally of our own making and symptomatic of our over-casual approach, led to one or two Forest half chances.

All this changed, though, three minutes before half time, when Jimmy provided us with one of the moments of the season. It would be true to say that our centre forward doesn't score many 'easy' goals, but this one was a little bit special, even by his standards. Taking the ball from a central midfield position, he skipped past three Forest defenders and onto the edge of the penalty area. Then, taking the ball onto his favoured right foot, he hammered an unstoppable thunderbolt past the helpless Crossley.

This moment of inspiration appeared to at last wake the Leeds players up. A few seconds later, another fine move led to a Bowyer chance, but the United midfielder put his shot straight into the Forest keeper's hands.

In the second half, Leeds started far more brightly. A free kick, early on, led to another Bowyer chance, and there was the feeling in the air that more goals would shortly come. However, nobody expected the goalscorer to be dressed in red. However, that's what happened when, eight minutes into the second period, Freedman fed Rogers with an inch perfect pass, which he blasted clinically past Martyn.

As I said earlier, though, such is the confidence which the fans place on this present Leeds team, that there was no sense of panic. All we needed to do was continue with our efficient passing game and surely opportunities would come our way.

On the half hour mark, Forest conceded a free kick on the edge of the Leeds area, a position from where we have been absolutely deadly this season. Harte stepped up and blasted an absolutely screamer past Crossley, who was rooted to the spot. The Forest keeper had previously infuriated the Elland Road faithful, when following a clash with his own defender, Gough, he had taken what seemed like an eternity to recover.

Leeds now assumed total control although, with the score at 2-1 and with us still being a little too casual on occasions, we needed a third to make things certain. Smith duly obliged and from the rarity of a well worked corner. From the set piece, Woodgate nodded the ball down, at the far post, for Smith to volley home in style.

Elland Road erupted, knowing that they were watching a little piece of History in the making. At the final whistle, despite one or two shortcomings, especially in the first half, O'Leary's team left the pitch to a deserved ovation.

Comment - With Man United and Arsenal both dropping points, we are now right in the thick of things. Although O'Leary continues to play things down, he must now secretly be considering the possibility of a Champions League place, with United only three points behind second placed Arsenal.

You need to go back to the days of Don Revie to see the last time Leeds managed to string together a run of six consecutive top flight victories, but that's exactly what David O'Leary's team managed to do this afternoon, beating Derby 4-1 at Elland Road, to go third in the Premiership table.

It was, as the cliche goes, very much a game of two halves. During the first forty five minutes, some of the football was breathtaking as United managed to fight back from the deficit of an early goal to lead Derby 3-1 by the interval. In the second half, the whole game was far more scrappy. It was almost as if the Leeds players sensed that their depleted opponents were never going to offer a real scoring threat - and so sat back, taking things a little easier. It was then up to Ian Harte to save the best till last, scoring a screaming fourth goal, to send the fans away happy.

The first half started disastrously as, with only four minutes gone, Radebe tripped Borbokis to concede a penalty, which was converted by Baiano. Yet, even despite this setback, there was no sense of panic in the stadium. It was almost as if, given our recent excellent form and our famed good record against Derby, we knew that goals would come, sooner or later. As one supporter joked, "Last year, we gave them three goals start, so we might as well at least give them one this time round."

Leeds still continued to stroke the ball around the park, a little too relaxed at times - and sure enough, we were eventually rewarded. Both Jimmy and the impressive Korsten had come close, prior to us equalizing after 18 minutes. Jimmy, who was to be involved in all of our first half goals, passed the ball in from the right flank and, following a slight muddle in the Rams' defence, the ball fell to Bowyer's feet, who turned to finish neatly low past Poum's right hand.

You could now sense that the game had well and truly turned. Some of the interplay between Leeds' midfield and attack was simply stunning at times, with Hopkin, Bowyer and Korsten particularly effective in the middle of the park - and, as always, Jimmy and Harry menacing up front.

Just past the half hour mark, the second goal arrived. Kewell was tripped just outside the area, resulting in a Leeds free kick, which Jimmy dispatched with clinical ease, low into the right hand corner of the net. Then, just before the break, the game was over as a contest, when Korsten scored a deserved goal, finishing crisply from a tight angle on the left hand side of the area.

After the break, Leeds produced a professional display to keep their opponents at arm's length but the game never reached the heights of the first period. They allowed Derby plenty of possession but, apart from a ten minute period at the start of the half, there seemed very little danger of a Derby comeback. Martyn's participation mainly consisted in easily collecting a series of crosses and corners. he barely had a real save to make.

On 83 minutes, with the game petering out, Ian Harte produced the most impressive individual moment of the match. Cutting inside form the left flank, he produced a superb right footed finish from thirty yards, which went screaming into the top right hand corner of the derby goal. The whole ground erupted and even the bench spilled out onto the pitch in their excitement.

The only slightly sour note came with just a couple of minutes left on the clock, when Prior's lunging late tackle on Korsten led to him being stretchered off. It's difficult to believe that the yellow card he relieved can be fair punishment, given the two cards shown to Haaland and Hopkin in the first half. You can't help but feel, sometimes, that we are being punished for wearing white shirts. A little consistency would be welcome, but then again the referee was none other than Mr Reed. Nuff said.

Comment - Things don't get much better than this! Those mouthwatering clashes against Man United and Arsenal, in April and May, originally seemed to offer us an opportunity to influence where the top prizes would go. Now, though, they may be of even greater significance, with us now only six points behind the leaders.

David O'Leary's first Premiership win was against Wednesday, at Elland Road in November. Today, his team achieved their first league double of the season, with a 2-0 victory against the Hillsborough team. It was the first time we had achieved this feat since December 1969!

Leeds went into the game in confident mood. Not only had we won our previous four Premiership matches, but Wednesday were hardly a force at home, having taken only five point from their last six games. What's more, there most influential player, Benito Carbone, was suspended.

The game started brightly, with Sheffield having a good opportunity to open the scoring in the first few minutes. Martyn was left berating his defenders for allowing Andy Booth to have a free header, from which he should have done considerably better. Thankfully, instead, it looped harmlessly over the crossbar.

On four minutes, we had our first real attack of the game - and promptly took the lead. Atherton was judged to have caught Kewell in the face, on the edge of the area, and from the resulting free kick, we scored. Yet again, Jimmy proved deadly from a free kick situation, lashing home a fiercely struck shot, giving the Sheffield wall and keeper absolutely no chance.

The rest of the first half was a competitive affair, with both teams making positive contributions. Indeed, had Andy Booth (a player with a previously good scoring record against us) been on sharper form, he might have helped himself to at least a couple of goals.

However, it would not prove to be Wednesday's day - and, despite the fact that both teams were reasonably well matched, Leeds seemed to have that little bit more quality where it counted, particularly in front of goal.

A second goal was always going to be the decisive one, but the traveling Elland Road faithful had to wait until the last twenty minutes to have their fears calmed a little. Jimmy made a darting run through the centre, towards the Sheffield penalty area, releasing a neat through ball into the path of Hopkin. The scot's first attempt at goal was a little on the weak side and was parried away by the approaching Srnicek. However, as the rebound fell invitingly back into his path, the Leeds midfielder, passed the ball into the open goal. It seemed to take an eternity to cross the line but when it did, we knew that that was essentially the end of the contest.

It was perhaps fitting that the final moment of action in the game should involve yet another Hasselbaink dead ball situation. This time, however, his well worked free kick was parried away well by the Wednesday keeper - as the final whistle marked the end of a competitive derby match.

The only slight note for concern centred upon an injury to Radebe, just before the end of the game, which resulted in the Leeds captain having to be stretcher Ed off. O'Leary will hope this doesn't spoil another highly satisfactory day: Aston Villa's last minute defeat at White Hart means that we are now seven points clear of the midlanders, in fourth place.

Comment - Marching' on together! How good can things get? Let's just hope that the party isn't spoilt by a long term injury to the Leeds captain.

As was the case last week, the double act of Smith and Kewell again did us proud again tonight, as we gained some kind of revenge on a disappointing Spurs side at Elland Road.

Having failed to beat the londoners in three previous attempts this season, despite more than matching them in each of these contests, we were definitely due some kind of reward in this evening's encounter. Spurs, within sniffing distance of two Wembley appearances this season, are now facing mid-table mediocrity in the league (more than safe but with little chance of pushing on towards Europe) and were never going to be as motivated as us, for this one. And so it proved, from the opening whistle.

We came out as fired up as I've seen, this season. Clearly, the FA Cup defeat of a fortnight ago had hurt and the tackles were flying in thick and fast during the opening few minutes. However, as is always the case, at present, we still managed to play some neat one touch football in all areas of the park, whenever possible. Batty was something of a surprise inclusion in the starting line up, replacing the suspended Hopkin, yet, after a few early misplaced passes, it was like he'd never been away. However, it was perhaps predictable that, given his lack of match practice, he might suffer from the odd mistimed tackle and so it proved. Unfortunately, a first half yellow card now means he too will be suspended - following the cautions he received whilst still at Newcastle.

At the back, the defence looked rock solid, with Radebe mercurial in the centre and Woodgate excellent in keeping tabs on the majorly disappointing Ginola, who hardly had a kick all evening and was eventually substituted, along with Anderton in the second half. In midfield, Batty's performance was more than matched by Alfie Haaland, who seemed to cover every blade of grass over the ninety minutes. And up front, Kewell and Smith were a constant thorn in the side of the Spurs defence.

After enjoying the majority of possession over the opening half but failing to take several half chances, it was starting to look as if it might be 0-0 at the break, with much nail biting to be endured over the final period. However, on 42 minutes, Kewell found himself one on one with Ian Walker. His slightly disappointing shot was parried away by the Spurs keeper, but only as far as Smith, who was in the perfect spot to hook the ball into the net.

Even then, though, the half wasn't finished. As if to emphasis that this had been very much a whole team performance in the opening 45 minutes, Martyn pulled off a breathtaking double save in the dying moments. Firstly, he somehow managed to reach a Sherwood header and then was in place to block Iverson's follow up.

The second half followed very much the same pattern, although not quite at the same tempo. Spurs, at this point, were, if anything, even more woeful. Therefore, it came as no real surprise (although something of a relief, given our recent run of bad luck against Graham's men!) when we increased our lead to 2-0, Kewell neatly heading in a Haaland cross at the far post.

From then on, the game disintegrated as a spectacle. The United fans were clearly in relaxed mood now, cheering every successful pass in carnival fashion, and this seemed to take the edge slightly out of Leeds' game. However, by now, the real work had been done - with three more points cementing our fourth place position, following Villa's defeat at Pride Park.

The only slightly sour note in an otherwise highly satisfactory evening was Tim Sherwood 'stamping' on Lee Bowyer, after a first half altercation between the two. Clearly, every Leeds fan in the stadium managed to see it clearly, but unfortunately Neale Barry didn't - and Sherwood remained on the pitch.

Comment- Another hard fought and highly deserved victory. Can we keep up this winning sequence? If so, fourth place might be an achievable goal, especially with our main rivals, Villa, in complete turmoil at the moment. Long may it continue!

Leeds secured a valuable win at Leicester this evening, to end the hoodoo which has seen us lose so unluckily against the Filbert Street team in recent meetings. However, despite having opportunities to score a hatful of goals tonight, a late Cottee goal left us facing a desperately nail biting last fifteen minutes.

Leeds went into tonight's game knowing that, following Villa's home defeat on Saturday, victory would take them up to fourth place in the Premiership. Leicester, looking forward to a trip to Wembley in the Worthington Cup, had been enduring a grim run in the league and, in fact, hadn't won since late December.

Tonight, though, they started tonight's game really fired up and had the better of things in the opening ten minutes. However, Leeds then began to assume control. After a good period of possession, Jimmy had an excellent chance on 15 minutes, finding himself in yards of space. However, he was denied by a solid stop from Keller. Two minutes later, though, we had the lead. Kewell, who had been man marked by Savage, was still giving the Leicester defence a torrid time, both on the left wing and when he moved further into the centre. Hasselbaink showed some neat skill on the left touchline and picked out Harry's run with precision, the latter tucking the ball neatly past the Leicester keeper.

Leicester had a few sporadic attacks, with Heskey a constant handful up front, yet it was United who continued to dominate. On the half hour mark, Kewell could have wrapped up the game. An inch perfect through ball found him with open to space to run into, but his shot was again blocked by the impressive Keller. The final quarter of an hour before the interval lost its way a little but Leeds were denied the opportunity of a second goal just a minute from the whistle. Korsten ran into the area from the left and was chopped down by Impey. However, unbelievably, the referee didn't give a penalty.

The second half began in scrappy fashion, with Impey. and Marshall combining well, after 53 minutes, only for Cottee to be denied by Martyn saving at his feet. two minute later, though, Leeds had another opportunity to increase their lead, with Kewell seeing his effort cleared off the line. However, on the half hour mark, we deservedly took a two goal lead. Korsten's shot was blocked, but with Keller diving the wrong way, Smith had the easiest of chances to slot the ball into an empty net.

At this point, we looked to be in total control. The defence were comfortably soaking up any Leicester attacks and, with Kewell in outstanding form, we were always a threat on the counter attack. We had further chances to completely kill off the game, with Smith particularly guilty of a bad miss, then on 76 minutes, disaster struck. Cottee found himself surrounded by three Leeds defenders on the right hand side of the area, but he somehow managed to slot the ball away, neatly under Martyn's diving body.

That left us with fourteen minutes of desperate defending to endure, as Leicester attacks were raggedly cleared away. Even then, though, we still had chances to wrap up the game. On 83 minutes, a terrible Leicester defensive error left Smith with another excellent opportunity, but his rather tame shot was parried by the heroic Keller, then on time Bowyer blasted over the bar when he should have done better.

In the end, though, we managed to hold out - for a crucial and deserved victory, particularly satisfying against our jinx team and following on from last week's unlucky FA Cup exit at Spurs.

Comment - Phew! The longest quarter of an hour of the season. Yet again, against Leicester, we almost managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Thankfully, though, we held out to climb into an automatic European qualification spot.

In George Graham, Spurs now have a manager who can organize what was previously a highly shaky defence. In David Ginola they have a player who, on his day, can produce moments of class to match any, not only in the Premiership, but in world football. Unfortunately, for us this evening, he provided the watching millions with a second half display of absolute brilliance and three strikes of breathtaking power and accuracy. Luckily only one hit the back of our net. Darren Anderton's opener was equally inspired, leaving us to lick our wounds, following a 2-0 defeat in which, for much of the game we were actually the better team.

We started the game extremely brightly, with some crisp passing moves through midfield and excellent darting runs up front by Kewell, Korsten and Hasselbaink. All that was missing was a finish. As early as the second minute, Kewell had appeals for a possible penalty turned down, as he looked to have been brought down by Campbell. Then, five minutes later, he again beat the England defender, but this time he squeezed his shot just wide of the post. Perhaps rather surprisingly, the opening twenty minutes had seen open exciting football from both teams, but with Leeds in the ascendancy. However, on 24 minutes, the rhythm of the match was halted by a sickening clash of heads between Wetherall and Ferdinand. Both had to be substituted. Leeds only other good chance prior to the interval came from Haaland, who saw his scrambled shot cleared away at the near post, following a nicely worked short corner.

However, nothing could have prepared us for what was about to happen in the second period. As in the opening half, we started as the more lively team. However, after ten minutes White Hart Lane erupted. Ginola seemed to be going nowhere as he skipped past four or five United defenders, on the edge of the area but at a right angle to the goal. Unbelievably, though, when he looked to have been shepherded wide, he unleashed an outrageous shot which touched Martyn's fingertips before crashing against his upright. Graham, on the Spurs bench, leapt up in delirious celebration, convinced that he'd just witnessed one of the goals of the season. We sat there relieved and hoping that this might prove to be the slice of luck we needed. Unfortunately, though, Ginola's moment of inspiration seemed to lift the whole team and the watching Spurs spectators. Moments afterwards, on the stoke of the hour,Anderton received the ball about thirty yards from goal, but with plenty of covering Leeds defenders, there again appeared to be very little danger. That was until the England man let fly with a sweetly struck powerful shot which screamed past Martyn's right hand dive and nestled into the top corner of the net.

Leeds rallied but the game was as good as over shortly afterwards. On 68 minutes, Radebe was put under pressure on the right hand touchline and lost possession. The ball was crossed over but only half cleared by the stretching Woodgate. It found Ginola on the left hand edge of the Leeds area, this time unleashing an unstoppable volley past the despairing Martyn. When you consider he also hit the United post for a second time during this inspired period, it would be fair to say that the Frenchman was enjoying a reasonable second half!

But what of our play? Were we being outclassed? Not in the slightest. As the pressure increased on us, at 2-0 down, we continued to battle but with a poise and thoughtfulness that was a joy to behold. We almost pulled a goal back when Kewell produced an excellent sharp turn on the edge of the Spurs box, followed up by a powerfully hit low shot. Unfortunately, though, Walker was having one of his better games in the Tottenham goal and was equal to the effort. Then, with time starting to run out, Hasselbaink (who, as on Saturday, had a rather inconsistent game) hit a well struck effort towards the roof of the Spurs goal, only to see the keeper make another solid save. Moments later, Walker was beaten, when Jimmy hit another fierce drive, but on this occasion the ball bounced off the post and back into play. It was obvious it wasn't going to be our night.

The whistle blew with us still on the offensive, but for all our youthful endeavour, we couldn't find the finishing power on the night to match that of Anderton and Ginola. The 'master' had beaten the 'apprentice' but O'Leary could certainly hold his head up high, after the game. His lads had done him, and the rest of us, proud.

Comment - Out of the cup, we can now concentrate on the league!! Tonight, we certainly weren't outclassed, other than in the quality of two strikes of world class quality.

It was never going to be an easy game against the merseysiders, and so it proved. Despite last weeks's 5-0 trouncing of Middlesbrough at Goodison Park, Everton have not exactly set the Premiership alight this season with their attacking flair and footballing finesse. However, as they prepare once more for their annual fight for top flight survival, one thing you can guarantee with them: a scrap. And that is exactly what we got.

In much the same way as our last home defeat against Newcastle, a fortnight ago, two factors played a significant role in this game: firstly, opposition who have realised that the best way to beat us at Elland Road these days is to disrupt the pattern of our play as much as possibly, even if it means kicking us gently off the park - and lastly, another 'big name' referee, who not only happily lets the opposition get away with their intimidatory tactics, but then shows a supreme lack of consistency by booking Leeds players for far less serious offences. This may sound like an acute attack of paranoia but the number of occasions this season where 'prima donna' referees have assisted sub-standard opposition with their whistle happy manner and bewildering inconsistency is simply frightening.

However, what can't be denied is that we didn't play particularly well on the day. Everton, clearly arriving with a draw on their mind, seemed content to soak up the pressure at the back and hoof the ball into no-man's land up front. They defended admirably, but - as has often been the case at Elland Road - a workmanlike opponent, who defends deep and fragments the game, can leave us looking somewhat naive, as we attempt to search for an attacking opening. Such was the case today, certainly for much of the first half.

In the second half, things improved considerably. Attacking the Don Revie stand after the interval usually seems to do the trick, and for a twenty minute spell, there was much to admire in the attacking work of the likes of Bowyer, Korsten and Smith, who appeared as a late but effective substitute. In Korsten, who is on loan until the end of the season, O'Leary looks like he might have unearthed a potential cult figure. At well over six month, you wouldn't expect a player of finesse. However, with a subtle range of passes and a laudable desire to get his head down and run at defences, with speed, his contribution today was one of the few plus pints for the Leeds manager. Therefore, it was perhaps apt that he should score the winning goal, on 51 minutes, tucking the ball neatly away past Mhyre, even when his first touch looked like it might have let him down.

After his superb display against Villa in midweek, Jimmy's display this afternoon was less than inspirational. Too often giving possession away and, at times, showing an alarming reluctance to pass the ball to his colleagues, his off-day was perhaps crowned by a dazzling miss, twenty minutes from time. As Smith raced down the right wing, leaving the otherwise impressive Materazzi for dead, he delivered a pinpoint centre to Hasselbaink. Unfortunately, though, with the whole goal at his mercy, from eight yards out, he blazed his shot well over the bar.

Smith, replacing the surprisingly ineffective Kewell on 69 minutes, had an impressive impact on the game, producing an equally impressive burst of pace just a few moments later. However, yet again, his opportunism did not result in any end-product. Unfortunately, despite having the lion's share of the play over ninety minutes, it was obvious as the second half neared its close that one goal might not be enough, especially with Mr Elleray blowing up for a series of bewildering Everton free kicks over the last ten minutes. And so it almost proved. As we began to sit deeper and deeper, the scousers had several opportunities to equalize, the best one resulting in a goalline clearance, on 90 minutes, by Jimmy. The whistle certainly came as a very welcome relief.

Comment- A far from satisfactory display, but there will still several second half attacking moments to admire - and on a more fortuitous afternoon, we might have won by more than the single goal.

Following an indifferent run of results in the Premiership, Leeds bounced back tonight with a forceful performance against an Aston Villa side, struggling to recapture their early season form. The result takes United back into fifth place, overtaking Liverpool and Derby.

The result was not the only pleasing factor, though. O' Leary was impressed by the manner of his team's victory: the fact that, despite a seemingly endless injury list, they could come to a place like Villa Park and win in style.

However, despite the fact that it was an all round team performance,two players stood out from the crowd: Harry Kewell and, in particular, Jimmy, who had one of his best ever games in a Leeds shirt.

He scored two goals, both before the interval, but in truth, with a bit more good fortune and slightly more clinical finishing, he could easily have had four or five. Both goals had class written all over them.

The first saw him use all his attributes in a single move: pace, physical strength and shooting power. On 8 minutes he accepted a throw from Harte and raced into the Villa penalty area. He shrugged off a challenge from Southgate, smashing a powerful shot past the helpless Oakes.

His second goal was equally impressive, this time from a set piece. After Korsten had been brought down, just outside the area, Jimmy took the resultant free kick, lifting it over the wall of defenders with such pace and accuracy that it left the Villa keeper flapping.

He almost scored what would have been a well deserved hat trick shortly afterwards. Taking a beautiful pass from the similarly impressive Kewell, he again ran at the opposition's defenders, cracking what looked like a certain goal past the Villa keeper. Unfortunately, though, and much to Jimmy's disbelief, the shot cannoned off the post and rebounded to safety.

In the second half, predictably, Villa came much more into the game, but it was too little too late, as Manager Gregory later admitted. However, the did manage to pull a goal back with a quarter of an hour to go, when Thompson's cross was neatly headed in by Scimeca. Villa continued to make one or two half chances for themselves, but most significantly, Leeds were always extremely dangerous on the counter attack and Jimmy, Harry and Korsten could all have added to the score.

Overall, it was a much deserved victory, in which Leeds reproduced some of the scintillating football they had been playing up to the Middlesbrough game. With the Everton game coming up at the weekend, we now have the chance to make a concerted push for a European place - and build up much needed confidence for the Tottenham FA Cup replay in a week's time.

Comment - Jimmy was in top form tonight, as impressive as we've ever seen him. However, Kewell continues to impress with every passing game. Jones' debut was extremely promising and Korsten's full debut shows what he might be capable if he can get a regular run in the side.

It was perhaps poetic justice that a match billed by the media all week as a battle between the master and the apprentice should end as a draw: 1-1, with everything to play for when the two teams meet again, at White Hart Lane on February 24th.

The reception given to Graham throughout the game was predictably hostile, with taunts of "Judas" echoing in his ears, especially when he came back out for the second half. After the match, though, George was philosophical about his treatment, putting it down as one of the hazards of modern day football. In fact, the crowd, of 39,696 was one of the noisiest of recent times, and created an electric backdrop for a lively and, at times, extremely competitive game.

Spurs could, and should, have taken the lead within the first five minutes. Les Ferdinand found himself in bags of space on the left edge of the penalty are, but his firmly hit shot was cleared off the line, Paul Reaney-style, by Ian Harte. Throughout the first half, we enjoyed plenty of possession, but struggled to make an impact in front of goal. Part of this was due to the fact that Jimmy had one of his quieter games, but mainly to Graham's highly organized defence. What a difference to the shambles of the Christian Gross era. At one point, as we started to show some dominance, four corners were forced in quick succession, but with no end product. This seems to be a recurring problem in this season's games, certainly at Elland Road. We simply don't offer a threat from corners. When was the last time we scored from one?

When we did get a sight of goal, in the opening period, usually after some neat inter-play, the final shot or header was extremely tame: usually straight into Ian Walker's hands. This was the case, after 35 minutes of play, when a lob from Bowyer found Smith on the left. His cross was dangerous but Haaland could only nod his header gently into the arms of the grateful Spurs keeper.

In the second half, we enjoyed more of the play but still found it difficult to penetrate. Unfortunately, though, on 54 minutes, our worst nightmares came true. Spurs worked the ball down the right wing but there didn't appear to be any immediate danger as Carr crossed the ball into the area. However, somehow the ball managed to loop off the shin of Tim Sherwood (who was making his Tottenham debut) and glide, in slow motion, over the head of the stranded Martyn.

After this setback, we rallied well, with Kewell, in particular, a constant threat. However, I don't think I was alone in wondering whether we were going to get a repeat of the Newcastle scoreline of a week earlier. Certainly, the Spurs defence, with Campbell dominant were proving difficult to break down. When we did manage to get inside their area, play tended to be frantic and scrappy. One such incident, amidst a series of mishit shots and fortunate passes, found Wetherall on the right hand side of the area. However, the central defender's well hit shot was palmed away by Walker.

Just when our cause was starting to look desperate, Harte (who, until this point had - goalline clearance apart - had a disappointing game) found himself in possession on the left. There didn't look to be much danger, but as he cut inside past two Spurs defenders, space opened up in front of him. Whether Graham had emphasized Ian's reliance on his left foot or not, the Leeds' defender certainly surprised the majority of the 39,696 crowd, as he cracked a low right foot shot past the despairing Walker and his left hand post. Elland Road erupted.

Suddenly, the whole pattern of the game changed. Now, both Leeds players and fans sensed that perhaps an unexpected win might be on the cards. However, despite efforts by Kewell and Hasselbaink, the Spurs defence held firm. Ginola and Anderton were replaced as Graham realized that Tottenham's best chance of progressing into Round 6 might be to take us to White Hart Lane. The game petered out, with both teams aware that a single mistake would lead to cup exit. The clubs will meet again in a week and a half's time.

Comment - Perhaps a predictable scoreline, with us now having it all to do in the replay. Several plus points, in the shape of excellent performances by the mercurial Radebe, energetic Bowyer and constantly threatening Kewell - and a sound team performance. However, with the Spurs defence starting to bear the Graham trademark, it will need Hasselbaink and Smith to be at their very sharpest, if we are to make progress.

A below par performance from United, a Newcastle United team who tried their utmost to kick us off the park, a harshly disallowed goal, a scrappily conceded goal and a refereeing performance that was erratic, to say the very least. A perfect combination for a miserable defeat at Elland Road, this afternoon.

Starting with this latter point. What is it about Premiership referees, who start to get a bit of praise from the pundits? Last year, Uriah Rennie was one of the best around and rightly praised for his efforts. What was it that fans and players liked about him? The fact that he refereed with common sense and kept play flowing wherever possible.

Today, he ruined what could have been a good game of football. How? By allowing Newcastle to set their own agenda, with a series of late and two footed challenges going unpunished - especially in the first half. When he did brandish the yellow card early on, it tended to be for petulance or for 'technical' misdemeanors (not standing far enough back at a free kick, etc). At the same time, Woodgate ended up in the book for a 50-50 challenge.

The effect this had on the game was to give the geordies free rein to disrupt Leeds' early free-flowing football. And succeed they did. This present Leeds team aren't built for a physical battle and were easily knocked out of their stride. Ketsbaia, in particular, must have left the pitch feeling he had led a charmed life for ninety minutes. He seemed to spend more time on his backside than he did standing up, as a series of challenges went unpunished. That he never even received a yellow card for his troubles is a travesty.

The game itself? Well, Leeds started brightly enough. But, as was to prove the case all afternoon, possession wasn't to be matched by a cutting edge in the final third of the park. We missed Jimmy terribly. Wijnhard battled manfully, but I don't think I'm alone in beginning to wonder whether he's got what it takes to make it at the very highest level. Certainly, today, he caused the Newcastle defence very few moments of anxiety and was eventually replaced by Korsten, late on.

After the bright opening 15 minutes had failed to produce the early opening goal that our possession had deserved, Newcastle began to come more into the game. Woodgate's slack backpass left Ketsbaia one on one with Martyn but the georgian delayed for a split second, allowing Nigel to make the save. Then, on 25 minutes, the United defence sat back, allowing Solano to hit a crisply struck shot past Martyn onto the inside of his right hand post. Considering the amount of play we were enjoying and the number of corners we were accumulating, clear cut chances were proving hard to come by. However, just before half time, a neatly hit cross by Harte was headed precisely back across goal by Kewell - but Wijnhard was a split second late in connecting to what would have been a certain goal.

In the second half, the game disintegrated as a footballing spectacle. This Newcastle team were more than happy to hear Rennie's whistle fragmenting play, as they battled and grafted for every ball. However, on 57 minutes, the crowd were on their feet, as we looked to have scored a perfectly good goal. Hopkin's hot was parried by Given towards the left hand goalline. The scot then followed up to chip a cross over to the other side of the goal. Amidst the confusion, Smith slotted the ball home and the ground erupted. However, our joy was shortlived. The linesman had flagged to say that the ball had crossed the line before Hopkin had crossed and Rennie awarded a corner. On the giant replay screen, this looked a decidedly dodgy decision and, typically, was to prove a turning point in the match.

Just six minutes later, confusion in the Leeds penalty area, where the defenders had several opportunities to clear the ball away, led to the ball falling conveniently to Solano's feet - and he blasted the ball sweetly past Martyn. From this point onwards, it really looked like it was going to be one of those days. This was emphasized by the events of the final five minutes. Although we hadn't played that well during the second half, few could have denied that we at least deserved a point. On 86 minutes, Kewell (our best performer on the day) danced down the right wing, then cutting inside, hit a beautifully bending shot towards the left of Given. The ball had the geordie keeper well beaten but hit the post and bounced out.

Then, as the game moved into injury time, our misery was complete. A scramble in the Newcastle area led to the ball falling to Haaland, just a few yards out. However, he just couldn't dig the ball from under his feet to prod the ball home. There was something symbolic about the way the game ended. Few heard Rennie's final whistle (the sound of which had been dominant throughout the match), the officials sauntered on and that was it. We had fallen to only our second home defeat of the season.

Comment - As I drove home, listening to Radio Leeds, the vultures were already starting to hover over Elland Road. Just a fortnight on from the Portsmouth hype, suddenly - according to the 'fans' who were phoning into the radio station, O'Leary was been told that he couldn't succeed by youngsters alone and that he needed to go out and make numerous major signings. What a funny old game football is! As I've said all along - as has O'Leary himself - these youngsters aren't the finished articles. We won't see their best for a couple of seasons yet. However, what's needed is patience and tolerance. With an injury free squad, we're not short of being a top four side. However, without the likes of Molenaar, Kelly and Batty (to name but three) we'll have to expect the occasional lapse.

Next Saturday's game against Spurs, though, now takes on even more significance!

With all the statistics firmly in our favour and all the pundits jumping onto our bandwagon, we perhaps shouldn't really have been too surprised by what went on at the Dell this afternoon, as we were soundly beaten 3-0.

We started brightly enough and, in fact, should have taken the lead inside 10 minutes. However, after Kewell's fine approach work and shot had led to a corner, Jimmy inexcusably blasted over from just a few yards out.

Whereas as in our last league game, against Boro, the early game settled our play, here the miss seemed to raise our opponents' game. Despite le Tissier limping off just moments later, Saints still took the lead, Kachloul's cheeky back heel diverting Dodd's shot inside the far post.

Leeds only other real opportunity before the break was from Bowyer. The midfielder, having one of his quietest games in ages, hit a well struck shot from the edge of the area but Jones kept it out, at the second attempt.

After the interval, things went from bad to worse. Although Bowyer again had a chance to equalize, blasting over the bar, Southampton were now starting to boss the game. Therefore, it came as no surprise, when, on the half hour mark, Matthew Oakley tapped in to make it 2-0.

Next, came the game's most controversial moment, with Leeds being denied what O'Leary later called a 'stone cold penalty', Hiley clipping Kewell's heels and sending Harry crashing. However, despite the mass protests of the United players, it was clear that this was not going to be our day.

This was confirmed in the 86th minute as Beattie outpaced Radebe (not yet quite the same player since his recent return from injury) to set up Ostenstad for a simple tap-in.

Despite all the recent plaudits, this was our fourth consecutive away defeat in the league, a run which must be halted immediately if we are to be still in with a shout for end of season UEFA placings.

Comment - I think we might have to get used to these occasional hiccups. As O'Leary has always maintained, we are not (repeat not) yet the finished article. When all the young lads are simultaneously on song, it is a joy to behold but, equally, when two, three or more of them have an 'off day', like today, then we shouldn't really be surprised by the result.

For the second FA Cup tie in succession, Leeds overcame the potential 'banana skin' of lower league opposition: winning 5-1 against first division Portsmouth. The home team, facing a cash crisis which is threatening their very existence, took an early shock lead but Leeds came back strongly: three second half goals sealing a comfortable victory.

Alan Ball had sounded a rallying call to his players prior to the game, who responded well early on, Nightingdale taking a shock lead in the ninth minute. However, despite their relative inexperience, this present Leeds side is not one to panic. As they had done in the third round against Rushden and Diamonds, they kept their cool and responded with a quick goal to level things, David Wetherall scoring from a neat set piece in the eleventh minute. Another set piece move in the seventeenth minute was neatly finished by Ian Harte, netting only his second goal of the season, Leeds taking a 2-1 lead into the half time interval.

Any worries that Portsmouth might still make a game of it after the break were quickly swept away, just five minutes into the second half, when Kewell slotted home with a neat diagonal finish. Kewell, who along with Hasselbaink and Wijnhard was a constant thorn in the side of the Pompey defence, was told by the Leeds manager after the game that he expects even more from him, such is the potential of the australian international.

Bruno Ribeiro made it 4-1 to Leeds in the seventy third minute, a wicked deflection beating the Portsmouth keeper, and Clyde Wijnhard put the icing on the United cake with a fifth goal eight minutes from time, a much needed strike for the dutchman and only his third of the season.

A confidence boosting win, then, and a solid team performance. Despite the one sided look to the scoresheet, Martyn also deserves a mention for two important saves, one world class stop near the end, and captain, David Hopkin continues to improve with every game - and was praised by O'Leary as being the best player on the pitch. Finally, Jimmy, despite failing to score for a second successive match, continues to lead the line superbly and make things happen for those around him.

Comment - Round 5 here we come....and, although not wishing to tempt fate, with Villa out and Man Utd or Liverpool set to follow, we must be in with a shout this season, especially if we can get something approaching a full strength side out onto the park.