Over the years, I can remember some belting Leeds v Boro games at Elland Road - especially over the 70s and 80s (It seems like a different world now), when packed terraces bore witness to real blood and thunder affairs - with plenty of skin shifted on both sides, as tackles flew in from all directions. There were also several sendings off, mostly -if my memory serves me well - Boro players. Ah.....happy memories!

What a contrast to last season's encounters. At the Riverside, on the opening day of the campaign (Boro's first game back in the Premiership), the teams played out a 0-0 draw. The return match, at Elland Road in January, saw United play some of their best football of the season. However, rather than the blood and guts of yesteryear, most neutral observers were won over by the Leeds youngsters' refreshing brand of passing football. We won 2-0, with goals form Bowyer and Smith, but the result did not reflect our dominance of the game against a rather pedestrian Middlesbrough outfit.

This season, though, Boro have made a promising start. Like us, they seem to be saving their best form for away games -so they will be no pushovers on Sunday. They have amassed a total of 12 points (just one fewer than us) - although, of the four victories, the only notable scalp was Liverpool - who they beat at the Riverside.

Joint top scorer for them at the moment is none other than Brian Deane, who makes his first return to Elland Road since leaving us at the end of the 1996-97 season. Ironically, the last game he played for us was against Middlesbrough, at Elland Road - the match which resigned Boro to a season in Division One. Hamilton Ricard is another danger man, who had an excellent season last time round, despite making a slow start in England.

There is no surprise team news for the game. United still have Michael Duberry and Stephen McPhail on the treatment table but Lee Bowyer, who picked up a knock against Partizan in midweek, is expected to start. Juninho, back at the Boro on loan until the end of the season, has been named in the squad, but red tape concerning his work permit may mean he misses out on Sunday.

Leeds made it three Premiership wins in a row - and four in all competitions - with a 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough at Elland Road this afternoon. The win takes us up to second place in the table, just four points behind Manchester United.

Although the game was no classic, some of their football which Leeds played, especially in the first half, was breathtaking. The only problem was that, following numerous intricate and speedy moves, there was not a cutting edge up front to match. At the end of the day, despite the fact that we were by far the more polished outfit, the result was decided by a deflected goal and a major defensive blunder.

The game started brightly and, as with last season's encounter, a clash of styles was immediately evident. Whereas Leeds were content to keep the ball down, use one touch passes and break at pace, Boro had Brian Deane to aim for. Nuff said. O'Leary had only made the one change from the team that had played so well against Partizan, on Tuesday. Gary Kelly went back to the bench, as he decided upon a 4-3-3 formation.

There were early chances for Hopkin, Bowyer, Bridges and Kewell before United finally took the lead on 14 minutes. A long ball by Danny Mills was knocked on by Kewell to Smith - who crossed from the right side of the area. The ball was met by Bridges, whose first time volley took a big deflection off the leg of Pallister. It was the Bridges fifth goal since joining us over the Summer.

The rest of the first half had a slightly unreal quality about it. Had Boro managed to fashion a win against us today, they would have gone above us in the Premiership table. yet, bearing this in mind, there seemed to be little urgency about their play. Only Ince in midfield seemed fully committed to the cause - and they were restricted to few efforts on Nigel Martyn's goal during the opening 45 minutes. From the Leeds' supporters point of view, it was - at times - like watching a five a side match. Some of United's interplay was exquisite yet, there was no real end product. Bearing in mind, that we were holding onto a fragile 1-0 lead, the supporters started to get a little edgy as half time approached.

Following the break, Boro came out far more fired up. Kelly had replaced the injured Hopkin at half time but O'Leary's team talk certainly didn't seem to inspire his boys. Indeed, Boro almost took the lead on 50 minutes. United old boy Deane let rip with a powerful left foot drive which Martyn just managed to get his fingertips to as it grazed his left hand post. Then, Armstrong - who was playing his first game of the season - curled a shot just round the post. There was an uneasy feeling that, if we didi't get a grip on the game, a Boro equalizer was on the cards.

Shortly afterwards, Bridges - who had been limping since the interval - was rplaced by Huckerby, who made an immediate impact. Firstly, he set up Kewell, only to see his teammate blast wide of the post. Then, on 64 minutes, he played an integral part in the second decisive goal. Inexplicalbly, Colin Cooper played a suicidal back pass to Schwarzer, which Darren was onto like a shot. He managed to get a toe to the ball but his effort was deflected off the Boro keeper. Thankfully, though, the rebound fell to Kewell on the edge of the area, who slotted home into an empty net, albeit from long range. It was Harry's first goal of the season, following a string of near misses and his relief was clear for all to see.

The second goal killed the game -as it was difficult to see Middlesbrough scoring twice. However, with Leeds restricted to counter attacks, the visitors still had chances to reduce the defecit - with O'Neill and Ziege both having opportunities to score. In the end, though, United's reargurd held firm and, in truth, they deserved to take all three points. O'Leary, though, wasn't entirely happy -and understandably so, "We made it difficult for ourselves because we were so sloppy in front of goal," and added,"we played in bits and pieces." Few supporters who witnessed today's game would disagree with the Leeds boss. Although the win takes us into the top two, we will need to be more focussed on Saturday, as we take on a rejuvenated Newcastle side, 8-0 winners against Sheffield Wednesday this afternoon.

United Star Man - Lee Bowyer