Leeds struggle to keep lead

London, Oct 31: West Ham manager Harry Redknapp believes Leeds pose a serious threat to Manchester United's Premiership crown after watch...

London, Oct 31: West Ham manager Harry Redknapp believes Leeds pose a serious threat to Manchester United’s Premiership crown after watching his side lose to David O’Leary’s Young Guns at Elland Road yesterday.

However, despite Redknapp’s, Leeds struggled to make an impact during a poor first half against a West Ham side looking for only their second win at Elland Road in 28 visits.

Leeds made the breakthrough in the 57th minute when Lee Bowyer picked out Ian Harte on the far edge of the area with a right wing ball.

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The Irish international controlled the ball and then sent a searing right-foot drive between two defenders and past the outstretched grasp of his lop for his third goal of the season.

Goals from Paul Scholes, Andy Cole and Roy Keane gave Manchester United a convincing 3-0 victory at home to Aston Villa. The win places United second in the Premiership on 27 points, two behind leaders Leeds.

Other Results: Arsenal 0 drew Newcastle 0; Derby 3 (Rory Delap, Deon Burton) bt Chelsea 1(Frank Leboeuf); Middlesborough 2 (Brian Deane, Christian Ziege) bt Everton 1 (Kevin Campbell); Leicester 3 (Gerry Taggart 2, Tony Cottee) bt Sheffield 0; Southampton 1 (Marian Pahars) drew Wimbledon 1 (Marcus Gale)

Real, Barcelona crash
MADRID: Barcelona and Real Madrid slumped to embarrassing defeats here yesterday. Defending champions Barcelona lost 2-1 at Deportivo Lacoruna and will lose the lead of the Primera Liga if Rayo Vallecano beat Valladolid tonight. Should Rayo slip up then Celta Vigo, who tackle Alaves, could also take the top spot.

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But Real’s plight is far worse than that of their eternal rivals. They were humbled on home soil 3-1 by city rivals Atletico in the Madrid Derby to further put pressure on the club’s Welsh boss John Toshack.

Lazio stay at summit
ROME: Lazio stayed top of Italy’s Serie A for at least another week here yesterday after snatching a 1-1 draw from the jaws of defeat against Inter Milan.

Chilean striker Ivan Zamorano had given Inter, deprived ofthe services of Ronaldo, the advantage with a typical poacher’s goal after 36 minutes.Argentinian midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron drove in a freekick and Giuseppe Pancaro managed to deflect the ball past Angelo Peruzzi to grab a share of the points.

Earlier, Fiorentina had to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Torino while Bologna won 1-0 at Venezia with the winner an own goal coming from Fabio Bilica after 12 minutes.

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Auxerre back on top
PARIS: Auxerre went back top of the French first division with a 2-1 home victory over Montpellier and were further boosted when reigning champions and title rivals Bordeaux had to settle for a 2-2 draw at Nancy.Paris St Germain’s shock 3-1 defeat to bottom club Le Havre completed a memorable Saturday for Auxerre, who also profited from Lyon’s defeat by Sedan last night.