Two goals in as many minutes saw Leeds break Chelsea's stubborn resistance and snatch a dramatic late win at Elland Road.
Substitute Robbie Keane made the breakthrough five minutes from time and Chelsea's shattered confidence was exposed two minutes later when Mark Viduka cashed in on Marcel Dessaily's slip to thunder home a second.
Up until the final five minutes, it had looked as though Leeds were going to be frustrated, largely by Chelsea's highly impressive goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini.
Leeds fans spent much of the match jeering Chelsea's Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, their former player whose money-motivated departure for Atletico Madrid two years ago had earned him the nickname Jimmy Floyd Piggybaink.
But, instead of Piggybaink, it was a super saver that denied Leeds the point they needed.
A couple of howlers in recent games were quickly forgotten as Cudicini brilliantly denied Lee Bowyer on two occasions in the second half.
The keeper looked to have made it a hat-trick of outstanding saves when he bravely dived at the feet of Keane after fellow sub Eirik Bakke had sent the striker scampering clear.
But the keeper's luck finally ran out as the rebound fell kindly to Keane, who slotted into an empty net.
There was nothing Cudicini could have done about the second goal though, as Viduka shrugged off Desailly in the chase to reach Bowyer's long ball and then unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top right-hand corner of Cudicini's net.
For all the striking talent on show, the early wounds were so nearly self inflicted.
Ian Harte was grateful to Leeds keeper Nigel Martyn for brilliantly palming away his mis-kicked clearance from Graeme Le Saux's low cross on eight minutes.
Soon after, at the other end, Celestine Babayaro also had his heart in his mouth when his attempted clearance slammed against Desailly but bounced harmlessly wide.
When the game did settle, it was Leeds who bossed things.
But, as Leeds' frustrations grew and Chelsea's determined grip on a point grew tighter, so frustrations began to boil over.
Some ugly exchanges between two teams with a history of pitch battles were sadly predictable and began to detract from a game which had promised so much.
But there was still plenty to be admired, not least Cudicini's agility.
Zola agonisingly close
Chelsea's flexible friend was at his best again on 63 minutes, stretching full length to fingertip away a Bowyer header after Kewell had flicked on.
Chelsea, still harbouring mathematical hopes of a Champions League place, then threatened to punish the home side for their wastefulness.
Gianfranco Zola, was agonisingly close to a spectacular winner when he turned and bent a shot onto the outside of a post with Martyn groping at thin air.
But that was a rare threat from the visitors and Leeds ultimately deserved their breakthrough.
While Chelsea now only have eyes for the Uefa Cup, Leeds' Champions League love affair is still very much alive.
Chelsea: Cudicini, Melchiot, Desailly, Terry, Babayaro, Wise, Dalla Bona, Morris, Le Saux, Hasselbaink, Zola. Subs: de Goey, Poyet, Jokanovic, Gudjohnsen, Gronkjaer.
Referee: S Dunn (Bristol).