Leeds United 2 Crystal Palace 1: Leeds are back loud and proud after late double from Becchio raises play-off hopes

A little over five weeks on, however, and the experienced former Newcastle United and Bradford City defender insists the contrast could not be more marked with the excited chatter and noise that he has always associated with a successful dressing room having made a welcome return.

The reason for the change is quite simple, United are unbeaten in seven games since O' Brien swapped Bolton Wanderers' reserve team for the cut and thrust of the Championship and are looking every inch a genuine play-off challenger.

Leeds' latest victory may have been harsh on an attack-minded Crystal Palace outfit who contributed fully to one of the most enthralling 90 minutes Elland Road has witnessed for a long time.

But the manner in which Simon Grayson's side came from behind to clinch victory courtesy of two more goals from Luciano Becchio again underlined the growing belief among the United players that a second consecutive promotions is not entirely out of the question.

There is, of course, still a long way to go and December could well be a month that goes a long way towards telling us whether this group of players can last the pace due to it including meetings with Burnley, leaders QPR, Leicester City and Portsmouth.

Nevertheless, O'Brien, whose loan spell from Bolton is due to run out in early January, has seen enough to suggest the future is looking bright for the men in white.

He said: "There is a real togetherness about the squad now. When I first arrived (on October 28), we had a warm-up and I thought it was a sponsored silence because no-one was saying anything.

"I was informed that we had lost four of the last five games and just been beaten heavily (4-0) by Cardiff. Now, a few weeks on, everything is brighter and people are buzzing.

"There is a nucleus of a fantastic team here and the future bodes well for Leeds United.

"Everyone wants to play in the Premier League. I will always be grateful to the lads at Bradford for helping me get there.

"It would be nice if Leeds could get promoted and lads such as (Robert) Snodgrass and (Jonny) Howson could get that chance. They look to have the pedigree to play in the Premier League."

Whether Leeds are ready for a genuine tilt at the top flight remains to be seen.

But there is an unmistakable sense the momentum that for so long was dragging the club down is now propelling them in the opposite direction.

Certainly, the manner in which United kept plugging away against Palace was admirable.

No matter what setback came their way – be it a linesman's flag twice ruling out 'goals' by Howson and Ross McCormack or the heroics of Eagles goalkeeper Julian Speroni – Grayson's men refused to give up.

Instead, they poured forward in such numbers that, eventually, a visiting defence that battled heroically was breached.

The breakthrough came on 81 minutes and was, compared to the vast majority of United's attacking play, a rather scruffy affair.

A corner that appeared to be over-hit by Neil Kilkenny was the unlikely catalyst, the ball finding George McCartney unmarked 20 or so yards from goal.

The left-back immediately returned the ball to the packed penalty area where, after the slightest of flicks from Billy Paynter, Becchio swooped to fire into the net from close range.

Elland Road erupted, the home fans sensing that the impetus had swung the way of their side at last.

And so it proved as, just two minutes later, another sweeping Leeds move saw Snodgrass find McCormack, who got his toe to the ball before being upended by a Palace defender.

Any appeals for a foul were soon curtailed, however, when Becchio claimed possession and fired low under goakeeper Speroni to spark a mini pitch invasion.

The joyous celebrations were perhaps understandable, Leeds having snatched a victory that not only continued the unbeaten run but also propelled Grayson's men back into the top six.

Defeat was, undoubtedly, harsh on Palace, who had gone ahead just before half-time when Neil Danns converted at the far post after Nathaniel Clyne had raced clear down the right.

The visitors had also gone close twice in the opening 45 minutes through James Vaughan, and Darren Ambrose was left cursing his luck when a dipping free-kick was clawed to safety by Kasper Schmeichel.

After the break, Palace remained equally attack-minded with Danns hitting a post and Schmeichel relieved to see Vaughan's charge-down of his attempted clearance bounce wide.

Leeds, for their part, also created a host of chances in a pulsating second half with Speroni brilliantly denying both Kilkenny and Lloyd Sam before Becchio's dramatic late intervention was enough to seal the points and the admiration of his team-mates.

O'Brien said: "Luciano is coming into form, which when you are out of contract is great! He is a decent age at 25/26 and is the top scorer in the Championship. People will be looking at him. But everyone hopes the club can keep him."

Doing things the hard way at home

Leeds certainly do not make life easy for themselves at home in the Championship. For the third time this season, Simon Grayson's men had to come from behind to claim all three points.

They also conceded an equaliser against Bristol City midway through the second half before netting twice in the final quarter to win 3-1 on November 13, meaning September's 1-0 triumph over Sheffield United is the only time Leeds have won at home in the league without having created problems for themselves.

Even then the winner came seven minutes from time.