Southampton 1-0 Leeds

	Seven-in-six James Beattie closes in on Rio Ferdinand (MikeHewitt/Allsport)

Aspirations of challenging Manchester United for the title will have to be put on hold for at least a year, and the Champions League looks increasing like becoming a once-off foreign excursion for David O'Leary's team.

Acclaimed victories against Serie A champions is one thing; the nitty gritty of confronting Southampton in the Premiership quite another. They were a hard enough side to beat, with their ferocious team spirit, before Glenn Hoddle added a dash of tactical sophistication to their performances. Now they are a downright tricky proposition.

Leeds were greeted by wind and pouring rain at The Dell, and with the ground deemed too narrow to play wing-backs, opted for the back four which had proved Lazio's undoing in the week.

Jonathan Woodgate and £18million man Rio Ferdinand looked assured and composed for much of the game, but neither will enjoy the replays of Southampton's winning goal on 43 minutes. First Woodgate went foraging upfield, chasing a lost cause and finding himself out of position.

Ferdinand was left exposed, but even then will doubtless be annoyed that he could do nothing to prevent James Beattie getting his shot in. Beattie had been put through by the delightful Marian Pahars and there was little doubt, having out-run Ferdinand, that he would beat Paul Robinson. After all, this was his seventh goal in six games.

Chances for Leeds were few and far between, limited to Olivier Dacourt's long-range shooting and Jason Wilcox's wayward efforts.

Only Alan Smith shone for the visitors. He was lively throughout the game - but was also fortunate to stay on the pitch after he aimed a punch at Uwe Rosler in a flare-up six minutes from the end.