Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Championship clash between Leeds United and Sheffield United at Elland Road. These two sides are separated by just one place and four points in the standings after 13 matches, with the Yorkshire rivals both eyeing up an automatic promotion spot at this early stage in proceedings. A point for the visitors tonight will be enough to take them into the top two.

LEEDS UNITED TEAM NEWS!

STARTING XI: Lonergan; Ayling, Pennington, Cooper, Anita; Phillips, O'Kane, Vieira, Saiz, Alioski; Lasogga

SUBS: Wiedwald, Shaughnessy, Jansson, Roofe, Dallas, Hernandez, Grot

Starting with a look at the home team, boss Thomas Christiansen has made one change on the back of last weekend's 3-0 win over Bristol City by turning to Vernon Anita at left-back. The Whites are without Gaetano Berardi this evening due to suspension, while Cameron Borthwick-Jackson is also absent through injury, so Anita will fill in alongside Liam Cooper, Matthew Pennington and Luke Ayling in the back four.

Ronaldo Vieira impresses on his first start of the season at Ashton Gate, picking up the Man of the Match award for his efforts, and he is rewarded with another start alongside Eunan O'Kane in the engine room this evening. Pierre-Michel Lasogga will once again lead the line for the home side, starting just ahead of Kalvin Phillips who will be used in the hole. No place in the XI for returning winger Stuart Dallas, who is among the subs.

SHEFFIELD UNITED TEAM NEWS!

STARTING XI: Blackman, Baldock, Stevens, Fleck, O'Connell, Basham, Clarke, Sharp, Coutts, Carter-Vickers, Duffy

SUBS: Moore, Lundstram, Donaldson, Wright, Lafferty, Brooks, Carruthers

In terms of the visitors, there is no real surprise in manager Chris Wilder sticking with the same XI that earned a 2-1 win against Reading last time out. Wilder again goes with a 3-5-2 formation, using Cameron Carter-Vickers in the heart of his backline, while Chris Basham and Jack O'Connell will start either side. Up the other end of the field Billy Sharp will be looking to make an impact at Elland Road, where it just did not work out for him during his time here.

Sharp actually has a pretty decent record against Leeds, scoring four goals in four starts - two for Nottingham Forest and two for Doncaster Rovers. Leon Clarke will start alongside him in the attack line, and support will be provided from deep by Enda Stevens, Mark Duffy and George Baldock. The pass master of the division is also one to keep an eye on tonight; midfielder Paul Coutts completing more passes than any other player in the Championship.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Leeds United have won one of their last seven meetings with Sheffield United, drawing three and losing three during that run, with their solitary triumph coming at Elland Road in September 2010. The Blades have lost on seven of their last nine trips to this ground in the league, however, so take those stats with a pinch of salt.

Leeds returned to winning ways last time out by earning that impressive 3-0 victory over Bristol City, seeing them enter this match in fourth place on 23 points. That puts them four points behind tonight's opponents, who are level with second-place Cardiff City and can therefore move into the automatic promotion zone with a point or more at Elland Road. Plenty on the line for both sides, with both no doubt confident of earning victory.

The Whites had won three matches in succession at Elland Road prior to going down 1-0 to Reading a fortnight ago; a match that also saw them miss a late penalty right at the death. Unlike in their recent past, though, the board showed complete faith in Christiansen even when losing three matches on the spin. A quick glance at the table suggests they made the right choice, though under a certain Massimo Cellino the trigger may well have been pulled.

Leeds have not actually lost back-to-back games here since August 2016 and, if they can match the performance produced in the West Country six days ago, they should avoid that happening tonight. This will not be an easy test, though, as the Blades have won more games (39) and earned more points (127) than any other side in English football since Wilder took charge in May 2016.

DID YOU KNOW? Sheffield United have a joint-high tally of points for a newly-promoted side in the Championship after 13 matches, along with Southampton in 2011-12. The Saints, you may remember, continued their rise through the divisions by keeping hold of a top-two spot and more than adapting to life in the Premier League since. Bristol City had 26 points in 2007-07, meanwhile, and finished in fourth place before losing in the playoff final to Hull City.

Promoted teams quick off the mark do not always last the full duration, however, as Queens Park Rangers (2004-05) and Wigan Athletic (2003-04) also had 26 points after 13 games and went on to finish 11th and seventh respectively. Wilder has certainly instilled a winning mentality at Bramall Lane since taking charge 17 months ago, however, and recent results - four wins in five - suggests that they will be there or thereabout come next May.

With kickoff at Elland Road now less than five minutes away, let us check out some pre-match thoughts from both camps.

Thomas Christiansen: "I think it will be a very tough game and small mistakes will decide it. They're a very good team and you should never underestimate a team who come from League One - this is the proof. It's a good way for us to measure ourselves for where we want to be. If we win then we will be one point behind them. The fans have been massive since I arrived and I hope that the team will perform in a way that makes them feel proud."

Chris Wilder: "We have to recognise that they are going to bring their best game to the table. I don't think their supporters will demand any less than that. There's going to be 35,000 there on a Friday night under the lights. It doesn't get any bigger than this. They're geared up to get out of the division. That is their goal and their aim and with that comes recruitment and money spent. They've had a couple of blips but they've also had some really good results."

Wilder expects Leeds to turn up and perform tonight, unlike a month ago when losing heavily in another top-of-the-table showdown against Cardiff City. That triggered a disappointing run that only really ended at Bristol City last weekend, but the Whites are still within touching distance of the top two. Christiansen hopes to make the home fans "feel proud", meanwhile, on what is a huge occasion in West Yorkshire.

© Getty Images

KICKOFF! We are up and running at Elland Road in this tasty Yorkshire derby showdown. Leeds United need victory to close the gap on their rivals, while a point for Sheffield United will take them second; all three and they are top.

Sheffield United have just silenced Elland Road with a goal a little over two minutes into the match. Mark Duffy crossed towards the back post and Sharp, who failed to really prove himself as a Leeds player, was there to head past Andy Lonergan.

The visitors have won nine of the 10 games that they have scored first in so far this season - an ominous stat as far as Leeds are concerned. So often a player can come back to haunt their former side, though usually not as swiftly as that!

Leeds have not settled well at all, as was the case in that previous top-of-the-table showdown against Cardiff a month back. Lonergan is caught in possession by Leon Clarke, but the striker failed to really make the most of the opening.

CLOSE! Sheff United very close to a second, as Mark Duffy floats in another delightful cross for Clarke to turn narrowly wide of the far post under pressure. Better contact there and the visitors really would have been in dreamland.

Twelve minutes into the match and Leeds still yet to really settle in this Yorkshire derby. They have Kalvin Phillips, who has scored four of his six career goals in the opening stages of 2017-18, playing in the number 10 position tonight.

Leeds starting to see plenty of the ball now, without being able to muster any sort of attacking opportunity. The visitors, on the other hand, have scored one and come close to another from their only really attacking moves so far.

Lasogga, playing as the hosts' lone striker this evening, has yet to have a single touch of the ball with 16 minutes now on the clock. Pretty damning stat, with Leeds growing into things but not really causing much damage.

Wilder will be very happy with the way things have panned out so far, with almost a quarter of the match now played. His side netted inside the first three minutes through Sharp and have not looked like conceding since then.

SAVE! Mark Duffy yet again at the heart of things for Leeds, jinking away from his man and squaring it to George Baldock, who blasted one down the middle from range for Andy Lonergan to get behind fairly comfortably.

Pennington goes down in the box when attempting to attack a free kick into the box, but Clarke did not make enough contact to warrant a penalty being given. Leeds fans urging their players on now, having so far been off the pace in an attacking sense.

Leeds seeing more and more of the ball but, much like in the opening quarter of the match, they have been unable to get their attacking players on the ball. It is the visitors who have looked the livelier when getting bodies forward.

SAVE! Pennington is caught in possession, allowing Clarke to break down the left and send a cross in for Sharp. The striker made good contact but Lonergan produced a strong hand at his front post to help the ball behind for a corner.

The Blades may rue not scoring a second if the game continues in this manner. They look dangerous every time they get forward, but on this occasion their probing came to an end without a shot of any sort to the relief of the home fans.

The home supporters are beginning to grow a little restless the longer this one goes on, as their side struggle to really get out of first gear. Sheff United have looked very bright and are deserving of their one-goal advantage.

Still plenty of the game left to play and there does only remain the one goal in it, but Sheffield United have definitely been the better of the two sides so far. Wilder really would love a second before the half-time interval.

Well, well, well. From their first attempt of any note this evening, Leeds United are back on level terms. A good goal it was, too, as Kalvin Phillips maintained his good run of form by showing the technique to rifle past Jamal Blackman on the volley.

Just to highlight the gulf in quality in the final third of the field, that was Leeds's first touch of the ball in the opposition box; Sheff United have so far managed 11. That does not matter, though - it is 1-1 in terms of goals.

Half time now fast approaching in West Yorkshire and we are all square in this showdown between third and fourth. Leeds the side seeing more of the ball at the moment, as they look to bag a quick-fire second ahead of the interval.

Sharp with a smart header on target, though it would not have counted even if it had beaten Lonergan as the offside flag was up. Great atmosphere inside Elland Road; both sets of supporters well and truly up for this one.

That is five Championship goals for Phillips now this season - he is clearly thriving in a more attack position behind the centre-forward. Lasogga gives Carter-Vickers something to think about when chasing down a long ball, earning his side a throw.

SAVE! Another chance comes and goes for the visitors. Leeds fall asleep when defending a free kick, with Sharp being played in behind completely unmarked but failing to beat Lonergan - a huge save from the home keeper.

Enda Stevens picked up a fourth caution of the season in added time for a foul 40 yards from goal, which Alioski shockingly smashed high over the bar rather than crossing it. Leeds United are on level terms at the interval thanks to a Kalvin Phillips volley to cancel out Billy Sharp's early opener for Sheffield United.

The visitors were ahead with just over two minutes of the contest played through Billy Sharp, who peeled away at the back post to head Mark Duffy's cross over the line - his fifth goal in four starts against his former side. Duffy was the star man in the opening 45 minutes, floating in another delightful cross for Leon Clarke to turn narrowly wide, before George Baldock shot right down the middle after being teed up by his midfield teammate.

Sheff United had another big chance to double their advantage with 27 minutes of the match played, only for Andy Lonergan to produce a big save to deny Sharp at the front post following an error from Matthew Pennington. Despite failing to register a single shot of any sort up until that point, or even so much as have a touch in the opposition box, Leeds were level soon after thanks to a Kalvin Phillips drive.

Cameron Carter-Vickers's clearance fell into the path of Phillips, who showed good technique to send the ball flying past Jamal Blackman on the volley for goal number five of the campaign. The Blades will wonder just how the scores were level at the midway stage, though, adding another miss to their collection after Lonergan kept out a completely unmarked Sharp from close range two minutes before the break.

As frustrated as Chris Wilder may be at this point, having seen his side dominate the first-half chances, the visiting boss will know that the three points are there for the taking. Will he, or indeed Leeds manager Thomas Christiansen, turn to their back-up options before the second half?

LEEDS UNITED SUBS: Wiedwald, Shaughnessy, Jansson, Roofe, Dallas, Hernandez, Grot

SHEFFIELD UNITED SUBS: Moore, Lundstram, Donaldson, Wright, Lafferty, Brooks, Carruthers

© Getty Images

RESTART! Normal service is quickly resumed at Elland Road, where Sheff United have won themselves a corner 60 seconds into the second half. A good delivery into the box, which Vieira got on the end of after his keeper remained on his line.

The Blades going all out for that second goal, having been pegged back against the run of things in the opening 45 minutes. Sharp has had 25 touches of the ball so far this evening, while opposite number Lasogga has mustered just seven.

YELLOW CARD! Paul Coutts pulls back on his man and is rightly shown the game's second yellow card by the referee. That is the Blades midfielder's sixth caution of the campaign, incidentally - he has already served a one-match ban.

A small stoppage in play following a coming together. Leeds captain Liam Cooper appears to have tweaked his hamstring and Christiansen is readying Jansson to come on - a change that looks likely to be made sooner rather than later.

Cooper is OK to continue for the time being, though he does not look all that comfortable at the moment. A fairly slow start to the second period, with Leeds growing into things but - much like in the first half - struggling in the final third.

OFF THE POST! Pontus Jansson is indeed brought on in place of injured centre-back Cooper. Samuel Saiz, moved into a central role in a slight tweak in formation, sends a shot crashing back off the upright - as close as Leeds have come to a second.

Sheff United deserved to go into the interval ahead, but Leeds will argue that they should now be in front following that strike from Saiz. A real open match on our hands, with top spot up for grabs if the visitors can net a second.

YELLOW CARD! Yet another shocker of a free kick as far as the hosts are concerned, as Phillips loses his footing and makes horrible contact with his attempted shot from around 30 yards out. The midfielder then went in on Baldock, somehow only being shown a yellow - that was a clear red.

Not quite sure how Phillips is still on the field after that challenge close to the touchline. Not that any more spice needed adding to this Yorkshire derby, but that has got both sets of supporters out of their seats once again.

Still all to play for as we approach the final quarter of the contest in West Yorkshire. The second half has had its moments, with Leeds hitting the post through Saiz and Phillips then avoiding what looked a certain red card.

SAVE! The Blades' turn to enjoy some possession now, as Fleck gets forward and earns a corner kick for his side. The ball is sent towards the front post, where it is initially easily dealt with, but a second corner is won and Clarke tested Lonergan from the angle.

A slip almost proved costly as Saiz delays the shot and instead picks out Saiz near the back post, but the Leeds attacker sees his header bounce off the ground into the hands of Blackman - their first attempt inside the box since drawing level.

LEEDS UNITED SUB! Wilder has still yet to turn to his bench, while Christiansen has just brought on Hernandez for Alioski in his second alteration of the evening. The first was enforced - Jansson replacing Cooper a little earlier in the half.

The margins could not be finer at the moment. As good as Sheff United looked in the first half, they have not really matched those levels in the second half and a change appears to be much-needed at this stage. Brooks is being readied.

YELLOW CARD! The caution count starting to rack up now, with the fifth of the contest being shown to George Baldock for his challenge on Vieira. The visitors make a first change, bringing on Brooks for Sharp with 16 minutes to play.

Both sides looking sloppy in possession over the past few minutes, as this fast-paced match begins to take its toll. It will be a surprise if Wilder does not turn to his bench again in the next few minutes, knowing that three points are there for the taking.

As things stand Leeds will stay in fourth on 24 points, while Sheff United climb up to second on 28 points. Saiz has just been bundled over inside the box, but he did not exactly appeal for it as the contact looked to be quite minimal.

SAVE! Best chance for quite some time, as Brooks uses his fresh legs to get to the opposition and then pick out Clarke. The shot was half-decent, but Leeds stopper Lonergan got behind it and was able to keep the ball out - still 1-1.

This young player is special! David Brooks, on the field for less than 10 minutes, slots his side ahead with a fine finish. Duffy played the Wales international hopeful through and, with one swipe of the leg, Lonergan was beaten.

YELLOW CARD! John Fleck picks up a needless yellow, ruling him out of the Queens Park Rangers match next week, while Leon Clarke was also cautioned immediately after the goal, which at the moment looks likely to be the winner.

SHEFFIELD UNITED SUB! Duffy takes an age to make his way off the field, sparking a reaction from Saiz who rushes him on his way. Lundstram comes on in his place for the final few minutes, as Sheff United attempt to see things through.

YELLOW CARD! Just a minute of normal time, plus presumably four or five added on, left to play at Elland Road. Vieira the latest player to enter the referee's book for his challenge. The hosts appear to be running out of ideas at the moment.

Saiz does well to hook the ball back into the mixer, where Grot can only head the ball wide of goal. Sheff United are now four minutes away from climbing to the top of the second tier for the first time in some 12 years.

Brooks uses Jansson as a screen in an attempt to curl the ball into the top corner, which did not quite go to plan - rather disappointing attempt in the end. Not that it matters, as his goal appears to be enough to earn all three points.

David Brooks proves to be the hero for Sheffield United, scoring the winning goal nine minutes from time to send them to the top of the Championship table. On the balance of the 90 minutes it is the least they deserve, with Leeds United doing well to battle back but never truly looking likely to win the contest.

That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at Elland Road. An on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, while a look at all the night's other scores from across the globe can be found here. Thanks for joining!