Leeds dented Chelsea's title hopes as they pulled off a huge 3-1 win at Elland Road to ease the pressure on Daniel Farke and leave the visitors nine points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal.
In a game that could have been pivotal for Farke's future, his decision to stick with the 3-5-2 formation that inspired a second-half fightback in the defeat at Manchester City proved decisive as they brushed Chelsea aside to go three points clear of the drop.
Impressive performances over Arsenal and Barcelona had elevated Chelsea into the title conversation, however the trip to West Yorkshire delivered a reality check for Enzo Maresca up against a side that had lost their last four games.
Leeds deservedly led by two goals at the break after a bullet header at the near post from Jaka Bijol and a stunning long-range strike from Ao Tanaka at either end of a half that Farke's side had dominated with Chelsea flummoxed by their new shape.
Maresca's double half-time change brought about an instant impact as Pedro Neto pulled a goal back off the bench soon after the restart, taking advantage of a slip in concentration from Leeds defender Gabriel Gudmundsson to poke in at the back post.
However, Leeds refused to back down and restored their two-goal advantage as Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored for the second game running after substitute Noah Okafor capitalised on a loose pass from Chelsea defender Tosin in his own box.
Farke, it seems, has landed on the perfect formula with the change of formation just in the nick of time, providing hope that not all is lost this season in their fight for survival. Next up is Liverpool at Elland Road on Saturday - live on SportNews.
SportNews' Gary Neville believes Chelsea's current squad is "not good enough" to win the Premier League.
"I don't think they can win the title. In fact, I don't think they've got a chance. Chelsea do have some gaping holes when you see title-winning teams.
"Chelsea's team is well built, it's got an incredible amount of talent, but the centre-backs tonight were poor in every way.
"The goalkeeper is not good enough to be a title-winning goalkeeper, and then at centre-forward, they're good players, but they're not at the levels that are required to win Chelsea a title.
"They'll finish in the top four, but the inconsistencies are still there. I've seen Chelsea be outstanding in games, but I've also seen them perform like that [at Leeds].
"I don't think they were prepared for Elland Road. I don't think they respected the fixture and what could happen out there. They were physically outdone, outmuscled and outplayed, and they deserved to lose."
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca:
"They were better than us in all aspects. They deserved to win the game.
"There is nothing that we can take from this game.The only thing we can do is try to understand the mistake we have made and try to reset because, again, in 48 hours we have one more game."
Leeds boss Daniel Farke on frustrations among fans and reports in media about his future before this game:
"There's always the outside noise, but I didn't have the feeling at all that we are not one unit.
"We are a club on a mission and this club wants to establish itself at this top level. We can't just do this with our supporters when we make Elland Road a fortress.
"After disappointing results, the emotions are sometimes high and it's normal. There's nothing I want to change.
"I knew exactly for what club I signed and I felt a great unity in the club today again, and I don't think that changes are needed, I want more of the same, especially once we play Saturday at another top side, Liverpool."
