Eirik Bakke heads Leeds' opening goal
Harry Kewell scored twice to help Leeds ease past Derby and return to the top of the Premiership.
The result was hard on the visitors, who were well-organised and resilient, yet lacked a cutting edge.
Leeds were disappointing for much of the game but were ruthless when they had opportunities.
Kewell, who was strangley subdued for much of the game, added a quickfire double late on.
Derby thought they had opened the scoring after just seven minutes.
Malcolm Christie shot from the right corner of the area, and Rio Ferdinand slid in to intercept the attempt only to put the ball past advancing keeper Nigel Martyn.
Leeds then scored within minutes to compound Derby's misery.
Ian Harte sent in a swinging free kick from the left wing and Bakke rose unmarked inside the six-yard box to head home.
The home side controlled the rest of the half. Veteran midfielder David Batty was outstanding, orchestrating moves from deep.
Ferdinand was at his cultured best in defence and Danny Mills was a rampaging threat down the right wing.
Leeds had an excellent chance in stoppage time when Harte powered a free kick from the edge of the area and Christie cleared off Derby's line.
Chrisitie brilliantly turned Dominic Matteo inside the area but hit his shot straight at Martyn.
Derby were increasingly assured as the half went on and Ravanelli should have done better when he headed a teasing Daryll Powell cross wide of the post from close range.
These misses proved costly as Kewell ensured maximum points for Leeds with a brace of goals.
First he picked up a long ball from Bowyer and advanced into the area before unleashing a left-footed shot that went through the legs of the retreating Youl Mawene and into the far corner of the net.
Then, four minutes later, he headed a Bowyer corner home from nine yards.
Leeds dominated disconsolate Derby for the remainder of the game and went desperately close on several occasions.
Leeds: Martyn, Mills, Ferdinand, Matteo, Harte, Bowyer, Bakke, Batty, Kewell, Viduka, Keane. Subs: Kelly, Woodgate, Robinson, McPhail, Wilcox.
Derby: Oakes, Higginbotham, Riggott, Mawene, Boertien, Murray, Powell, Johnson, O'Neil, Ravanelli, Christie. Subs: Burton, Kinkladze, Morris, Valakari, Grant.
Referee: A Wiley (Burntwood).