We continued our march to European glory tonight at a packed Elland Road, beating Slavia Prague 3-0. It was an impressive performance although, had we taken all the chances we had made for ourselves, we could have knocked five or six past the Czech league leaders.

However, thanks to a first half strike by Jason Wilcox - his first in Europe for the club - and second half efforts by Harry and Lee, we have surely put ourselves in an unbeatable position for next Thursday's away leg.

O'Leary included Lee Bowyer, despite his off-field problems, making just the one change from the team that had won at Valley Parade on Sunday: Harry returning from suspension to replace Smithy. It was the same eleven that had worked miracles at Elland Road the previous Thursday against Roma.

Slavia Prague had to do without suspended striker Ludek Zelenska, coach Frantisek Cipro bringing in Tomas Kuchar to his midfield, with Tomas Dosek given the lone striker's role up front.

I found myself in an accustomed position, in the centre of the lower section of the North Stand where supporters seemed more interested in arguing with the Stewards (as to the merits of standing up or sitting down!) for the first 45 minutes than actually watching the game. Getting back to the actual match, Leeds started brightly and could have taken the lead as early as the third minute. Harry Kewell was put through on goal by a great Michael Bridges through ball but he could only aim his shot at Slavia keeper Cerny, who blocked the effort with his legs.

United were making much the better openings and enjoying the lion's share of possession. However, Slavia still had occasional moments of danger: Striker Tomas Dosek turned magnificently but was foiled by Alfie Haaland's superb sliding tackle.

With just over ten minutes gone, a mistake by Vlcek almost gifted Bridges the opening goal. As the defender failed to reach Cerny with his backward header Bridges stole in but could only volley his effort over the crossbar. Then Lee Bowyer - who was starting to have a real influence on proceedings, had a shot blocked on the edge of the box.

Cerny cut out a cross by Wilcox from the left flank but we had another worrying moment on the 25 minute mark, when Kuchar's shot, from the edge of the box, went wide of Martyn's left hand post.

With fifteen minutes of the first period remaining, Harte's cross was deflected straight to Harry who fired in a powerful shot to Cerny's right but the Czech keeper pulled off a superb save, getting his fingertips to the ball to turn it round the post. Then, Bowyer was hit by a late challenge from Petrous, whose yellow card means he will miss next Thursday's game. Lee was stretchered off but returned shortly afterwards to a huge round of applause.

Fittingly, he was involved in setting up the opening goal on 39 minutes. He picked up a disappointing free kick, cut inside and produced an inch perfect through ball to Jason Wilcox who sprinted into the area to smash the ball past the Czech keeper from 12 yards out.

During the opening moments of the second half, both teams had efforts on goal. Horvath's shot from 25 yards drifted just over Martyn's bar, then at the other end Bridges forced a save from Cerny.

On 53 minutes, we got our second goal. Erik Bakke's determination worked wonders as he sprinted down the right flank. His low cross fell straight to Harry Kewell who, standing unmarked at the far post, slid the ball in from five yards.

Koller had another long range effort for the visitors but just five minutes later, we further increased our lead. Bridges cast aside the challenge of his marker to run down the left, coming inside to send a pinpoint diagonal ball into the area. Lee Bowyer, who has recently been making a habit of missing open goals, this time made no mistake. Finding himself one on one with the keeper, he rifled the ball into the net.

On 68 minutes Nigel Martyn gave us all a scare, when he made a real mess of his clearance. The ball fell to Ulich 20 yards out but Nigel recovered to palm his effort round the post. A vital save since, despite our dominance on the night, an away goal would have given Slavia a real lifeline for the second leg.

The visitors pushed forward looking to pull a goal back but were leaving themselves vulnerable at the back. Bowyer was blatantly chopped down in the area, following a lovely bit of skill, but referee German referee Merk waved away Leeds' appeals. Then Bridges found himself one on one with the keeper, but Cerny again thwarted the ex Sunderland man.

On the hour mark, Rada was booked for dissent, following an incident involving Bridges. Then, just three minutes later, he body-charged Wilcox and was promptly dismissed. Not the brightest thing for the captain to do - as he will, of course, now miss the second leg of the tie.

O'Leary then sent on Darren Huckerby for McPhail and it almost produced instant results as Harte's free-kick from the right of the area screamed just past Cerny's right hand post. With just three minutes remaining, Smithy made his entrance and almost produced a fourth goal. However, on the night, we could be more than happy with the three that had hit the back of the Slavia net. What's more, keeping that all important clean sheet gives us a great opportunity of progressing to the semi-final stage.

It had been a professional performance in all departments. Radebe and Haaland looked solid as a rock in defence, we tucked away three well taken goals but, perhaps most welcome was the return to top form of Lee Bowyer. Let's hope his well taken third goal will give him yet another boost of confidence at this troubled time.

United Star Man: Lee Bowyer