But in a display that belied United's current lowly status and their somewhat stuttering start to the new season, the Whites played Neil Warnock's men off the Elland Road pitch in a manner that must have delighted Gary McAllister as well as the loyal supporters who found the income to attend the second round tie.

There may have only been 10,765 inside the stadium, but they were treated to some stylish football and all from a team showing eight changes from the one that drew at Yeovil on Saturday.

Teenager Aidan White was plucked out of the Academy and handed a surprise debut at left back, while veteran Paul Telfer made his first start since his summer move and played alongside Lubo Michalik, also in his first start of the season, in defence. David Lucas replaced Casper Ankergren in goals and in midfield former skipper Jonathan Douglas, Neil Kilkenny, back from the Olympics, Andrew Hughes and Fabian Delph were all given a chance to impress.

It was Douglas who got the ball rolling, latching on to a poor attempted headed back pass to nip in ahead of keeper Darryl Flahavan to open the scoring on 11 minutes.

Jermaine Beckford was unlucky to see his low shot tipped on to the post on the half hour, but within 60 seconds was on target with a header from the resulting Kilkenny corner to make it 2-0.

The confidence really flowed into United's play now and with Beckford and Luciano Becchio troubling the Palace back line and Delph and Douglas dominating in midfield they turned on the style for the rest of the half with the crowd - in between Warnock baiting - able to indulge in a bit of "ole" cheering as they counted the passes.

A Becchio header and a Kilkenny low drive that was well held by Flahavan came close to adding to a lead that was well deserved at half-time.

The expected onslaught from Palace did not materialise in the second period and it was Leeds who added to their lead early in the half with a superbly crafted goal. Becchio provided the headed finish from Fraser Richardson's cross after brilliant work in midfield between Delph and Douglas had opened up the space for the raiding full back.

Such was the confidence at this stage that Andrew Hughes tried an audacious shot from his own half. It went wide, but Palace were not relieved for long.

Substitute Enoch Showunmi was soon in the thick of the action and although he was twice foiled in one on ones with the keeper he did find the target with a low shot on 76 minutes to wrap up the scoring.

United were also determined to keep their first clean sheet and another of the subs, Bradley Johnson, made a great clearance off the line near the end to deny Calvin Andrew.

This was a night when just about everything went right for Leeds. Definite pluses were the performances of youngsters Delph and White who looked like they had played at this level for years, while Becchio showed bags of promise up front, Beckford was always a threat and Douglas enforced the belief that he should be recalled to the league side.

Another revelation was Telfer, the old head at the back who calmly dealt with everything thrown his way. To say that Palace were rarely a threat says everything about how well he did.

Match facts
Leeds United 4
(Douglas 11, Beckford 31, Becchio 52, Showunmi 76)
Crystal Palace 0
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Carling Cup, round two
Att: 10,765
Leeds: Lucas, Richardson, Telfer, Michalik, White (Johnson 71), Hughes, Kilkenny, Douglas, Delph, Beckford (Howson 78), Becchio (Showunmi 57).
Crystal Palace: Flahavan, Ertl, McCarthy, Lawrence, Hill, Djilali, Watson (Fletcher 87), Soares, Moses (Hills 65), Carle (Ifill 62), Andrew.
Referee: K Friend