In an epic battle, we withstood a first half onslaught by the home team, then hit them with two second half goals, both scored by Stephen McPhail. The win takes us back to the top of the Premiership table.

O'Leary's team almost picked itself, with Batty, Hopkin and Smith still unavailable. At first glance, it looked a very attacking line up with Huckerby being paired with Bridges up front. The downside appeared to be a rather fragile looking midfield.

Chelsea started much the better of the two teams and kept this going for much of the first half. They kept the ball down, managed to put together some flowing moves and created chance after chance. Significantly, they were controlling the midfield area.

Sutton, Leboeuf, Deschamps, Wise and Poyet all made good opportunities for themselves but most of theses were from long range and off target. When they did make progress into our area, Woodgate and Radebe were magnificent in snuffing them out.

Our attacks were confined to rare breaks and even then Ferrer was shackling Kewell effectively. It took us twenty minutes to register a direct shot on De Goey's goal: a long range effort by Bridges, comfortably saved by the keeper.

On the half hour mark, Bridges looked to have created a half chance for himself but handled the ball when trying to bring it under control. However, we were at least now starting to control the play a little better and stringing a few passes together.

At half time, O'Leary must have been pleased with our non stop effort and mature defending - but disappointed that we couldn't offer more in the attacking third.

The second half almost started disastrously for us - with Poyet's mistimed shot superbly headed towards goal by the battling Wise. Thankfully, Martyn was up to the task, palming it away at full stretch.

Bridges only lasted three minutes of the half, replaced by new signing Jason Wilcox - as we almost fell behind in controversial fashion. Di Matteo's late challenge on McPhail went completely unpunished, as Chelsea broke the full length of the pitch to nearly take the lead through Flo.

Four minutes later, Huckerby made a surge through midfield. Unfortunately, though, his poor first touch prevented him from going one on one with the keeper.

In the 66th minute, the entire game was turned on its head - as we took the lead with one of first really dangerous attacks. Kewell, whose every touch was booed, made good progress down the right. Just as he was being tripped, he laid the ball off to Bowyer who played a beautiful low square ball across the area. This was met by McPhail in the box, who passed the ball with clinical accuracy past the right hand of De Goey.

On 68 minutes, with the home side's frustration mounting, Kewell was chopped down by Leboeuf, who had already been booked. Just for good measure, he stamped on Harry before trying to pick a fight with anybody he could find in a yellow shirt. He even appeared to be having a go at ex-teammate Duberry on the United bench before he was dragged unceremoniously away. Very much shades of Vieira against West Ham - minus the spittle!

To their credit, Chelsea continued to attack but the play now was understandably far more spread. Leeds were now counter attacking with far more threat. Twice within a minute, Huckerby skinned Ferrer only to be denied by two dubious refereeing decisions. Then, on 81 minutes Kewell found himself up against Sutton, now playing as a makeshift centre back. He beat his man and played a lovely ball across goal - but there was no one there to capitalise on his good work.

Bowyer was replaced by Jones with five minutes remaining and almost immediately the youngster earned us a free kick. Sutton, losing the plot in characteristic style, dragged Jones down off the ball. McPhail floated in the free kick from the right, which swerved past everybody (just missing Bakke's back heel) and into the empty net. Game over, with only three minutes remaining.

A victory of real significance - which would appear to rule Chelsea out of contention for the Premiership, with half the season still remaining. We've played better this season but never defended so resolutely or battled so hard. Woodgate in particular had his best game in a Leeds shirt, with Radebe not far behind. It'll also be a game that Stephen McPhail won't forget in a hurry!

United Star Man: Jonathan Woodgate