title: 1998–99 Leeds United A.F.C. season
text: # 1998–99 Leeds United A.F.C. season
  
  During the 1998–99 season, Leeds United competed in the Premier League.
  
  ## Season summary
  
  Leeds were expected to progress once more under manager George Graham after the former Arsenal manager guided Leeds to 5th place in his first full season in charge. Graham had added to his squad, signing defender Danny Granville and Dutch striker Clyde Winjard. After just 4 games Leeds went to top of the Premier League for the first time in their history. But rumours began to spread of George Graham taking the Tottenham job after Spurs had sacked Christian Gross, the saga dragged on when finally after a UEFA cup game against Maritimo of Portugal, Graham indeed left Leeds for Tottenham. Graham's assistant David O'Leary took charge as Leeds attempted to court Leicester boss Martin O'Neil, who eventually refused. But United's performances on the pitch began improving -despite only drawing several games, many teenage players were given debuts by O'Leary and put in great performances, such as the game against Italian giants Roma in the UEFA cup (although Leeds were knocked out). Needless to say, O'Leary was appointed manager in time for the game against Derby which ended 2–2. Leeds then began winning regularly, playing impressive attacking football. They had several talented youngsters, including goal keeper Paul Robinson, defenders Ian Harte and Johnathan Woodgate, mid fielders Lee Bowyer (who was signed from Charlton 2 seasons before) and Stephen McPhail, as well as strikers Alan Smith and Harry Kewell. But David O'Leary was eager to bring in experienced players to add to this young team, and signed David Batty from Newcastle. Batty was a key player in the Leeds side that won the old Division 1 title in 1992 and a fan favourite. In the run up to Christmas, Leeds were almost in contention for a shot at the title, but suffered back to back losses against Southampton and Newcastle in the new year. This ended any league-winning hopes, and they were also knocked out of the FA cup. Despite this, Leeds ended the season in red hot form, setting a record of 7 straight wins and a 1–0 victory over Arsenal, costing the gunners the title race. Leeds finished an impressive 4th place in the league – their highest finish yet. With this achievement, and with one of the most exiting young squads in the country, the future certainly looked bright for United.
  
  ## Final league table
  
  | Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | 2 | Arsenal | 38 | 22 | 12 | 4 | 59 | 17 | +42 | 78 | Qualification for the Champions League first group stage |
  | 3 | Chelsea | 38 | 20 | 15 | 3 | 57 | 30 | +27 | 75 | Qualification for the Champions League third qualifying round |
  | 4 | Leeds United | 38 | 18 | 13 | 7 | 62 | 34 | +28 | 67 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round |
  | 5 | West Ham United | 38 | 16 | 9 | 13 | 46 | 53 | −7 | 57 | Qualification for the Intertoto Cup third round |
  | 6 | Aston Villa | 38 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 51 | 46 | +5 | 55 | |
  
  ### Results summary
  
  | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  
  Source: 1998–99 FA Premier League table
  
  ### Results by round
  
  | Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Ground | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | A |
  | Result | D | W | D | W | D | D | D | L | D | D | D | W | W | W | L | W | W | L | W | D | L | W | L | L | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | D | D | D | W | L | W | D |
  | Position | 6 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
  
  ## Results
  
  Leeds United's score comes first
  
  ### Legend
  
  | Win | Draw | Loss |
  | - | - | - |
  
  ### FA Premier League
  
  | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | 15 August 1998 | Middlesbrough | A | 0–0 | 34,162 | |
  | 24 August 1998 | Blackburn Rovers | H | 1–0 | 30,652 | Hasselbaink |
  | 29 August 1998 | Wimbledon | A | 1–1 | 16,437 | Bowyer |
  | 8 September 1998 | Southampton | H | 3–0 | 30,637 | Marshall (own goal), Harte, Wijnhard |
  | 12 September 1998 | Everton | A | 0–0 | 36,687 | |
  | 19 September 1998 | Aston Villa | H | 0–0 | 33,446 | |
  | 26 September 1998 | Tottenham Hotspur | A | 3–3 | 35,535 | Halle, Hasselbaink, Wijnhard |
  | 3 October 1998 | Leicester City | H | 0–1 | 32,606 | |
  | 17 October 1998 | Nottingham Forest | A | 1–1 | 23,911 | Halle |
  | 25 October 1998 | Chelsea | H | 0–0 | 36,292 | |
  | 31 October 1998 | Derby County | A | 2–2 | 27,034 | Molenaar, Kewell |
  | 8 November 1998 | Sheffield Wednesday | H | 2–1 | 30,012 | Hasselbaink, Woodgate |
  | 14 November 1998 | Liverpool | A | 3–1 | 44,305 | Smith, Hasselbaink (2) |
  | 21 November 1998 | Charlton Athletic | H | 4–1 | 32,487 | Hasselbaink, Bowyer, Smith, Kewell |
  | 29 November 1998 | Manchester United | A | 2–3 | 55,172 | Hasselbaink, Kewell |
  | 5 December 1998 | West Ham United | H | 4–0 | 36,320 | Bowyer (2), Molenaar, Hasselbaink |
  | 14 December 1998 | Coventry City | H | 2–0 | 31,802 | Hopkin, Bowyer |
  | 20 December 1998 | Arsenal | A | 1–3 | 38,025 | Hasselbaink |
  | 26 December 1998 | Newcastle United | A | 3–0 | 36,783 | Kewell, Bowyer, Hasselbaink |
  | 29 December 1998 | Wimbledon | H | 2–2 | 39,816 | Ribeiro, Hopkin |
  | 9 January 1999 | Blackburn Rovers | A | 0–1 | 27,620 | |
  | 16 January 1999 | Middlesbrough | H | 2–0 | 37,473 | Smith, Bowyer |
  | 30 January 1999 | Southampton | A | 0–3 | 15,236 | |
  | 6 February 1999 | Newcastle United | H | 0–1 | 40,202 | |
  | 17 February 1999 | Aston Villa | A | 2–1 | 37,510 | Hasselbaink (2) |
  | 20 February 1999 | Everton | H | 1–0 | 36,344 | Korsten |
  | 1 March 1999 | Leicester City | A | 2–1 | 18,101 | Kewell, Smith |
  | 10 March 1999 | Tottenham Hotspur | H | 2–0 | 34,521 | Smith, Kewell |
  | 13 March 1999 | Sheffield Wednesday | A | 2–0 | 28,142 | Hasselbaink, Hopkin |
  | 20 March 1999 | Derby County | H | 4–1 | 38,971 | Bowyer, Hasselbaink, Korsten, Harte |
  | 3 April 1999 | Nottingham Forest | H | 3–1 | 39,645 | Hasselbaink, Harte, Smith |
  | 12 April 1999 | Liverpool | H | 0–0 | 39,451 | |
  | 17 April 1999 | Charlton Athletic | A | 1–1 | 20,043 | Woodgate |
  | 25 April 1999 | Manchester United | H | 1–1 | 40,255 | Hasselbaink |
  | 1 May 1999 | West Ham United | A | 5–1 | 25,997 | Hasselbaink, Smith, Harte (pen), Bowyer, Haaland |
  | 5 May 1999 | Chelsea | A | 0–1 | 34,762 | |
  | 11 May 1999 | Arsenal | H | 1–0 | 40,124 | Hasselbaink |
  | 16 May 1999 | Coventry City | A | 2–2 | 23,049 | Wijnhard, Hopkin |
  
  ### FA Cup
  
  | Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | R3 | 2 January 1999 | Rushden & Diamonds | A | 0–0 | 6,431 | |
  | R3R | 13 January 1999 | Rushden & Diamonds | H | 3–1 | 39,159 | Smith (2), Hasselbaink |
  | R4 | 23 January 1999 | Portsmouth | A | 5–1 | 18,864 | Wetherall, Harte, Kewell, Ribeiro, Wijnhard |
  | R5 | 13 February 1999 | Tottenham Hotspur | H | 1–1 | 39,696 | Harte |
  | R5R | 24 February 1999 | Tottenham Hotspur | A | 0–2 | 32,307 | |
  
  ### League Cup
  
  | Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | R3 | 28 October 1998 | Bradford City | H | 1–0 | 27,561 | Kewell |
  | R4 | 11 November 1998 | Leicester City | A | 1–2 | 20,161 | Kewell |
  
  ### UEFA Cup
  
  | Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | R1 1st Leg | 15 September 1998 | Marítimo | H | 1–0 | 38,033 | Hasselbaink |
  | R1 2nd Leg | 29 September 1998 | Marítimo | A | 0–1 (won 4–1 on pens) | 10,000 | |
  | R2 1st Leg | 20 October 1998 | Roma | A | 0–1 | 43,003 | |
  | R2 2nd Leg | 3 November 1998 | Roma | H | 0–0 (lost 0–1 on agg) | 39,161 | |
  
  ## First-team squad
  
      Squad at end of season
  
  Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
  
  | No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | 1 | GK | ENG | Nigel Martyn |
  | 4 | DF | NOR | Alfie Haaland |
  | 5 | DF | RSA | Lucas Radebe |
  | 6 | DF | ENG | David Wetherall |
  | 7 | MF | NED | Willem Korsten (on loan from Vitesse Arnhem) |
  | 8 | FW | SUR | Clyde Wijnhard |
  | 9 | FW | NED | Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink |
  | 10 | MF | POR | Bruno Ribeiro |
  | 11 | MF | ENG | Lee Bowyer |
  | 12 | MF | SCO | David Hopkin |
  | 16 | DF | ENG | Danny Granville |
  | 17 | FW | SCO | Derek Lilley |
  | No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
  | 18 | DF | NOR | Gunnar Halle |
  | 19 | FW | AUS | Harry Kewell |
  | 20 | DF | IRL | Ian Harte |
  | 21 | DF | AUT | Martin Hiden |
  | 22 | MF | NOR | Tommy Knarvik |
  | 23 | MF | ENG | David Batty |
  | 25 | DF | ENG | Jonathan Woodgate |
  | 30 | DF | NED | Robert Molenaar |
  | 36 | GK | ENG | Paul Robinson |
  | 37 | MF | IRL | Stephen McPhail |
  | 39 | FW | ENG | Alan Smith |
  | 40 | MF | WAL | Matt Jones |
  
  ### Left club during season
  
  Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
  
  | No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | 7 | MF | ENG | Lee Sharpe (on loan to Bradford City) |
  | 14 | FW | ENG | Andy Gray (to Nottingham Forest) |
  | No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
  | 16 | DF | ENG | Danny Granville (on loan to Manchester City) |
  
  ### Reserve squad
  
      The following players did not appear for the first team this season.
  
  Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
  
  | No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | 2 | DF | IRL | Gary Kelly |
  | 3 | DF | SCO | David Robertson |
  | 14 | GK | POR | Nuno Santos |
  | 15 | GK | ENG | Mark Beeney |
  | 24 | MF | ENG | Kevin Dixon |
  | 26 | FW | ENG | Tony Hackworth |
  | 27 | DF | IRL | Alan Maybury |
  | 28 | DF | ENG | Paul Shepherd |
  | 29 | DF | ENG | Mark Jackson |
  | 31 | DF | IRL | Paul Donnelly |
  | 32 | MF | ENG | Andy Wright |
  | No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
  | 33 | MF | NIR | Wesley Boyle |
  | 34 | MF | ENG | Andrew Quinn |
  | 35 | FW | ENG | Lee Matthews |
  | 38 | DF | IRL | Damian Lynch |
  | - | DF | AUS | Shane Cansdell-Sherriff |
  | - | DF | ENG | Gareth Evans |
  | - | DF | WAL | Kevin Evans |
  | - | DF | ENG | Jamie Price |
  | - | MF | NIR | Simon Watson |
  | - | FW | NIR | Warren Feeney |
  
  ## Statistics
  
  ### Appearances and goals
  
  | No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Total | Premier League | Premier League | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup | UEFA Cup | UEFA Cup |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
  | Goalkeepers ||||||||||||||
  | 1 | GK | ENG | Nigel Martyn | 44 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
  | 36 | GK | ENG | Paul Robinson | 6 | 0 | 4+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
  | Defenders ||||||||||||||
  | 3 | DF | IRL | Ian Harte | 44 | 6 | 34+1 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
  | 5 | DF | RSA | Lucas Radebe | 36 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
  | 6 | DF | ENG | David Wetherall | 25 | 1 | 14+7 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
  | 18 | DF | NOR | Gunnar Halle | 23 | 2 | 14+3 | 2 | 2+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
  | 21 | DF | AUT | Martin Hiden | 19 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
  | 25 | DF | ENG | Jonathan Woodgate | 33 | 2 | 25 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
  | 30 | DF | NED | Robert Molenaar | 23 | 2 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
  | Midfielders ||||||||||||||
  | 4 | MF | NOR | Alfie Haaland | 36 | 1 | 24+5 | 1 | 3+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 |
  | 7 | MF | NED | Willem Korsten | 10 | 2 | 4+3 | 2 | 2+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
  | 10 | MF | POR | Bruno Ribeiro | 17 | 2 | 7+6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 |
  | 11 | MF | ENG | Lee Bowyer | 45 | 9 | 35 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
  | 12 | MF | SCO | David Hopkin | 45 | 4 | 32+2 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
  | 22 | MF | NOR | Tommy Knarvik | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
  | 23 | MF | ENG | David Batty | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
  | 37 | MF | IRL | Stephen McPhail | 20 | 0 | 11+6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
  | 40 | MF | WAL | Matt Jones | 9 | 0 | 3+5 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
  | Forwards ||||||||||||||
  | 8 | FW | SUR | Clyde Wijnhard | 25 | 4 | 11+7 | 3 | 1+1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1+3 | 0 |
  | 9 | FW | NED | Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink | 47 | 20 | 36 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
  | 17 | FW | SCO | Derek Lilley | 3 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
  | 19 | FW | AUS | Harry Kewell | 49 | 9 | 36+2 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
  | 39 | FW | ENG | Alan Smith | 26 | 9 | 15+7 | 7 | 2+2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
  | Players transferred out during the season ||||||||||||||
  | 7 | MF | ENG | Lee Sharpe | 7 | 0 | 2+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1+2 | 0 |
  | 16 | DF | ENG | Danny Granville | 14 | 0 | 7+2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
  
  Last updated: 15 May 1999 Source: Competitions
  
  ### Starting 11
  
      Considering starts in all competitions
      Considering a 4–4–2 formation
  * GK: #1, Nigel Martyn, 44
  * RB: #21, Martin Hiden, 19
  * CB: #25, Jonathan Woodgate, 33
  * CB: #5, Lucas Radebe, 36
  * LB: #20, Ian Harte, 43
  * RM: #11, Lee Bowyer, 45
  * CM: #12, David Hopkin, 43
  * CM: #4, Alfie Haaland, 29
  * LM: #19, Harry Kewell, 47
  * CF: #9, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, 47
  * CF: #39, Alan Smith, 17
  
  ## Transfers
  
  ### In
  
  | Date | Pos. | Name | From | Fee |
  | - | - | - | - | - |
  | 19 June 1998 | DF | Danny Granville | Chelsea | £1,600,000 |
  | 13 October 1998 | GK | Nuno Santos | Vitória de Setúbal | Signed |
  | 8 December 1998 | MF | David Batty | Newcastle United | £4,400,000 |
  | 25 May 1999 | MF | Eirik Bakke | Sogndal | £1,750,000 |
  
  ### Out
  
  | Date | Pos. | Name | To | Fee |
  | - | - | - | - | - |
  | 19 June 1998 | MF | Jason Blunt | Blackpool | Free transfer |
  | 29 August 1998 | DF | Andy Gray | Nottingham Forest | £200,000 |
  
      Transfers in: £7,750,000
      Transfers out: £200,000
      Total spending: £7,550,000
  
  ### Loaned in
  
  * Willem Korsten – Vitesse Arnhem, 11 January 1999
  
  ### Loaned out
  
  * Lee Matthews – Notts County, 24 September 1998
  * Mark Jackson – Huddersfield Town, 29 October 1998
  * Lee Sharpe – Sampdoria, 1 November 1998
  * Andy Wright – Reading, 8 December 1998
  * Derek Lilley – Hearts, 30 December 1998
  * Paul Shepherd – Tranmere Rovers, 23 February 1999
  * Alan Maybury – Reading, 25 March 1999
  * Derek Lilley – Bury, 25 March 1999
  