The 1990-91 season was a landmark year for Leeds United, as they achieved significant milestones that set the stage for future success. Under the management of Howard Wilkinson, Leeds finished 4th in the First Division, securing a spot in the prestigious UEFA Cup.
A Strong League Finish
Leeds United’s performance in the league was impressive. They ended the season with 64 points, showcasing their competitive spirit. While they were unable to contend for the title, finishing behind Arsenal, who claimed the championship with 83 points and only one loss, Leeds demonstrated their potential to challenge for top honors in the future.
Key League Statistics
- Final Position: 4th
- Total Points: 64
- Title Winners: Arsenal (83 points, 1 loss)
Howard Wilkinson’s Vision
Howard Wilkinson played a transformative role during the season. His ability to build a cohesive and competitive squad saw Leeds rise from the Second Division to the UEFA Cup in just two years. This remarkable turnaround was a testament to his managerial prowess and strategic vision.
Player Highlights
One of the standout performers was Lee Chapman, who scored an impressive 21 goals for Leeds United. This made him one of the top scorers in the league, finishing just one goal behind Alan Smith of Arsenal. Chapman’s contributions were vital to Leeds’ attacking prowess.
UEFA Cup Qualification
Securing a place in the UEFA Cup was a historic achievement for Leeds United. This qualification highlighted their progression as a club and created a buzz among fans and players alike, who were eager to make their mark in European competition.
Domestic Cup Competitions
Leeds United also made notable strides in domestic cup competitions during the 1990-91 season:
FA Cup
In the FA Cup, Leeds reached the Fourth Round. Although they encountered tough competition and were eliminated, their efforts were commendable.
League Cup
Leeds advanced to the Semi-finals of the League Cup, further demonstrating their competitiveness in knockout formats. Their journey in this tournament showcased the depth and quality of the squad.
Full Members Cup
In the Full Members Cup, Leeds reached the Northern Final, where they faced Everton on 21 March. Unfortunately, they lost the final 3-1, but their journey to this stage illustrated their determination and resilience.
Looking Ahead: Promising Prospects
The 1990-91 season laid a solid foundation for the future of Leeds United. With a blend of talent and leadership, expectations grew among fans and pundits alike for the following season. The team’s competitive spirit and recent achievements indicated a strong challenge ahead as they aimed to build on their success and further establish themselves in both domestic and European competitions.
In summary, the 1990-91 season was a significant milestone for Leeds United, marked by impressive performances, key achievements, and a promising trajectory for the future. The groundwork laid during this campaign would propel the club to even greater heights in the seasons to come.
First Division 1990-91 Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal (C) | 38 | 24 | 13 | 1 | 74 | 18 | +56 | 83 |
| 2 | Liverpool | 38 | 23 | 7 | 8 | 77 | 40 | +37 | 76 |
| 3 | Crystal Palace | 38 | 20 | 9 | 9 | 50 | 41 | +9 | 69 |
| 4 | Leeds United | 38 | 19 | 7 | 12 | 65 | 47 | +18 | 64 |
| 5 | Manchester City | 38 | 17 | 11 | 10 | 64 | 53 | +11 | 62 |
| 6 | Manchester United | 38 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 58 | 45 | +13 | 59 |
| 7 | Wimbledon | 38 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 53 | 46 | +7 | 56 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 38 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 65 | 50 | +15 | 54 |
| 9 | Everton | 38 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 50 | 46 | +4 | 51 |
| 10 | Tottenham Hotspur | 38 | 11 | 16 | 11 | 51 | 50 | +1 | 49 |
| 11 | Chelsea | 38 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 58 | 69 | −11 | 49 |
| 12 | Queens Park Rangers | 38 | 12 | 10 | 16 | 44 | 53 | −9 | 46 |
| 13 | Sheffield United | 38 | 13 | 7 | 18 | 36 | 55 | −19 | 46 |
| 14 | Southampton | 38 | 12 | 9 | 17 | 58 | 69 | −11 | 45 |
| 15 | Norwich City | 38 | 13 | 6 | 19 | 41 | 64 | −23 | 45 |
| 16 | Coventry City | 38 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 42 | 49 | −7 | 44 |
| 17 | Aston Villa | 38 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 46 | 58 | −12 | 41 |
| 18 | Luton Town | 38 | 10 | 7 | 21 | 42 | 61 | −19 | 37 |
| 19 | Sunderland (R) | 38 | 8 | 10 | 20 | 38 | 60 | −22 | 34 |
| 20 | Derby County (R) | 38 | 5 | 9 | 24 | 37 | 75 | −38 | 24 |
Leeds United 1990-91 Fixtures and Results
| Competition | Date | Match | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Division | 19 Aug 1990 | Leeds United v Liverpool | L | 1-2 |
| First Division | 25 Aug 1990 | Leeds United v Sheffield United | D | 1-1 |
| First Division | 01 Sep 1990 | Manchester City v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| First Division | 15 Sep 1990 | Leeds United v Norwich City | W | 3-0 |
| First Division | 22 Sep 1990 | Wimbledon v Leeds United | D | 1-1 |
| League Cup | 26 Sep 1990 | Leeds United v Southampton | W | 2-0 |
| First Division | 29 Sep 1990 | Leeds United v Everton | L | 1-3 |
| First Division | 06 Oct 1990 | Leeds United v Luton Town | W | 2-1 |
| League Cup | 10 Oct 1990 | Leeds United v West Bromwich Albion | W | 4-1 |
| First Division | 13 Oct 1990 | Leeds United v Aston Villa | D | 2-2 |
| First Division | 20 Oct 1990 | Newcastle United v Leeds United | L | 1-0 |
| Full Members Cup | 23 Oct 1990 | Leeds United v Sheffield Wednesday | W | 1-0 |
| First Division | 27 Oct 1990 | Leeds United v Coventry City | W | 2-0 |
| First Division | 03 Nov 1990 | Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur | D | 1-1 |
| FA Cup | 10 Nov 1990 | Leeds United v Stockport County | W | 4-0 |
| First Division | 17 Nov 1990 | Leeds United v Crystal Palace | L | 0-1 |
| First Division | 24 Nov 1990 | Sheffield United v Leeds United | D | 2-2 |
| First Division | 01 Dec 1990 | Leeds United v West Ham United | W | 3-2 |
| League Cup | 05 Dec 1990 | Leeds United v Manchester City | L | 0-1 |
| Full Members Cup | 11 Dec 1990 | Leeds United v Birmingham City | W | 3-1 |
| First Division | 15 Dec 1990 | Leeds United v Norwich City | L | 0-1 |
| First Division | 26 Dec 1990 | Leeds United v Aston Villa | D | 1-1 |
| First Division | 29 Dec 1990 | Leeds United v Ipswich Town | W | 2-0 |
| First Division | 01 Jan 1991 | Leeds United v Chelsea | D | 2-2 |
| FA Cup | 05 Jan 1991 | Leeds United v Chelsea | L | 1-2 |
| First Division | 12 Jan 1991 | Wimbledon v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| First Division | 19 Jan 1991 | Leeds United v Liverpool | D | 1-1 |
| First Division | 26 Jan 1991 | Nottingham Forest v Leeds United | L | 0-1 |
| Full Members Cup | 30 Jan 1991 | Leeds United v Manchester City | W | 2-0 |
| First Division | 02 Feb 1991 | Leeds United v Sheffield Wednesday | W | 1-0 |
| First Division | 09 Feb 1991 | Leeds United v Ipswich Town | D | 1-1 |
| First Division | 16 Feb 1991 | Everton v Leeds United | D | 0-0 |
| First Division | 23 Feb 1991 | Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur | L | 0-1 |
| First Division | 02 Mar 1991 | Leeds United v Manchester United | D | 1-1 |
| First Division | 09 Mar 1991 | Leeds United v Coventry City | W | 2-1 |
| First Division | 16 Mar 1991 | Wimbledon v Leeds United | L | 0-2 |
| First Division | 30 Mar 1991 | Leeds United v Sheffield United | D | 1-1 |
| League Cup | 03 Apr 1991 | Leeds United v Arsenal | L | 1-2 |
| First Division | 06 Apr 1991 | Leeds United v Nottingham Forest | W | 3-0 |
| First Division | 13 Apr 1991 | Leeds United v Chelsea | D | 2-2 |
| First Division | 20 Apr 1991 | Leeds United v Southampton | W | 1-0 |
| Full Members Cup | 21 Apr 1991 | Leeds United v Everton | L | 1-3 |
| First Division | 27 Apr 1991 | Leeds United v Luton Town | W | 2-0 |
| First Division | 04 May 1991 | Leeds United v Arsenal | L | 0-3 |
