The Leeds midfielder Stephen McPhail insisted that David O'Leary's increasingly assured young side were not feeling the pressure of their emergence as genuine title challengers as he declared: "It's fun to be top of the table."

Any talk of winning the Premiership may be firmly banished from the Elland Road dressingroom.

But even O'Leary will soon be forced to publicly agree with Gianluca Vialli that his team pose a realistic threat to Manchester United and Arsenal.

Aston Villa similarly came to Stamford Bridge last season at the top of the table in December only to lose 2-1 to Tore Andre Flo's last-minute winner and, while they briefly rallied afterwards, their challenge collapsed within a month. Leeds instead won 2-0 despite having to endure considerable early Chelsea pressure as well as the physical battle of a fiery encounter, and whereas Frank Leboeuf lost his cool and was sent off, O'Leary's youngsters came of age.

The result effectively ended any lingering hopes which Chelsea may have had of winning the title as they were left 17 points behind leaders Leeds with only two games in hand.

In contrast, the Yorkshire side seem to go from strength to strength despite an energy-sapping run of games in several competitions and they showed commendable character, maturity and spirit at Stamford Bridge.

The main danger would appear to be whether they can handle the increasing pressure of being up at the top, especially with such a young side - even if it has been proved by Manchester United that you can win titles with kids.

However, it may prove that the exuberance of youth is one of Leeds' main weapons as their players simply seem to be enjoying their success rather than worrying about what the future may hold.

And there is always the knowledge that even if the title is not won this season, a place in the Champions League is still beckoning.

Irish under-21 international McPhail, whose two goals against Chelsea were the first of his senior career, declared: "We've come far in a short space of time and now we just have to keep it up.

"But we're having fun. We're not thinking about who the opposition is, we're just concentrating on our own performance, and we don't think about any pressure. Life couldn't be better right now!"

He added: "We came to Chelsea last season and put up a fight but were probably a bit too inexperienced. This year we came back with a lot of knowledge from the last game so we're over the moon that we got this result.

"It was always going to be tough but we stuck in there. That shows how much spirit there is. There are a lot of young lads and some good experienced players to help us out so there's a good blend in the team."

McPhail, who turned 20 earlier this month, has now become a first-team regular after the setbacks of a recurring knee injury over the past couple of years as well as an ankle problem picked up during the first game of this season.

Experienced keeper Nigel Martyn was keeping to the official party line of refusing to discuss title chances just yet, but he is hugely impressed at the attitude being shown by the younger players at the club.

"Stephen's come on leaps and bounds and gives us good balance with a great left foot," he said.

"If you have a look at our bench and players who couldn't even get onto the bench, it shows how what a strong squad we've got.

"The lads have obviously grown up very fast, they know what it's all about already and they don't get fazed by anything and that's all credit to them.

"They've very young and very confident, they're up and ready for anything. It's a good way to be as they don't seem to worry."