GAME IN PROGRESS.




Initials DHC/V-TELE/MR/BB


SPORT: SOCCER

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: LEEDS UNITED HAD A TOUGH FIGHT TODAY (SATURDAY) TO DEFEAT CHELSEA 1-0 IN THEIR FIRST DIVISION SOCCER MATCH IN LEEDS. CHELSEA PUT UP A RESOLUTE DEFENCE EARLY IN THE GAME, BUT THEY COULD NOT HOLD THE AGGRESSIVE AND DETERMINED LEEDS TEAM AT BAY.

LEEDS SPENT THE FIRST HALF IN ATTACK, AND MADE SOME GOOD EFFORTS AT SCORING. CHELSEA MOVED THE BALL SKILFULLY OUT OF DEFENCE, WITH SEVERAL PLAYERS SHOWING GOOD FOOTWORK AND TIMING.

THE PATTERN OF PLAY WAS THE SAME EARLY IN THE SECOND HALF, WITH LEEDS FACING TEN CHELSEA DEFENDERS. BUT WITH A DETERMINATION THAT HAD MARKED THEIR PLAY THROUGHOUT THE GAME, LEEDS FINALLY SCORED IN THE 56TH MINUTE. PETER LORIMER GOT THE BALL UNDER CONTROL FROM A CORNER, AND SCORED A HARD SHOT WHICH WENT IN OFF THE UPRIGHT. THE LEEDS GOAL BROUGHT A CHANGE OF TACTICS FROM CHELSEA -- THEY ATTACKED VIGOROUSLY, BUT THE TIME FOR SCORING GOALS HAD PASSED, AND LEEDS EMERGED THE VICTORS 1-0.

LEEDS ARE NOW THREE POINTS AHEAD IN THE FIRST DIVISION SOCCER RATINGS IN ENGLAND.