Goals from Jonathan Douglas, Jermaine Beckford, Luciano Becchio and Enoch Showunmi booked United a safe passage into the Carling Cup third round.

But it was the manner of the home side's display that was the most encouraging aspect for all but the hardy band of around 150 supporters who had made the long trip north from south London.

With Fabian Delph and Neil Kilkenny providing the midfield craft to complement the graft of Jonathan Douglas and Andrew Hughes, Leeds controlled long periods of a one-sided encounter against a club who last season qualified for the Championship play-offs.

Beckford and Becchio, benefiting from the solid base provided by the midfield, were also able to express themselves much more than has been the case in the opening three games of the League One season.

It was, in fact, a hugely encouraging all-round team display from Leeds with McAllister no doubt delighted by the impact made by debutants Paul Telfer and Aidan White, the latter a hugely promising 16-year-old left-back who showed maturity beyond his years.

The manner of the display will also ensure McAllister has several tough decisions to make before the return to league action on Saturday against Bristol Rovers.

He made eight changes from the side that had started against Yeovil Town last weekend with only Richardson, Beckford and Becchio retaining their places.

And every one of those brought in, with the possible exception of David Lucas who had an inevitably quiet night in the home goal behind such a commanding back four, made a persuasive case to be included against the Pirates.

None more so than 18-year-old Delph who looks to possess the touch and vision that the United midfield has been without for a long while.

The result was a huge boost for Leeds at the start of a run of four games on home soil and brought to an end Warnock's impressive recent record against the Elland Road club.

It is a little over 16 years since United last beat a team managed by the current Palace chief – Notts County being defeated twice during the league title winning season of 1991-92 – with Warnock's six games in charge of Sheffield United resulting in four defeats for the Elland Road club and two draws.

Two of those reverses came in cup competitions, but once United had gone ahead after 11 minutes last night there never looked like being a repeat of the FA and League Cup exits at the hands of the former Blades manager.

Paddy McCarthy was culpable for the opener with the Palace defender's weak back header allowing Douglas to nip in ahead of Darry Flahavan to roll the ball into the net.

Buoyed by the goal, Leeds started to stroke the ball around with confidence as both Delph and Beckford brought saves from Flahavan.

The latter on 32 minutes, however, proved to be only a temporary let-off for the Eagles with the resulting corner by Kilkenny being swept into the net by Beckford.

Becchio then went close with a left-foot shot after good work on the left before a sweet passing move ended with Delph having a thunderous shot blocked by a Palace defender.

There was no respite for the Londoners after the break either with another excellent attacking move on 52 minutes ending with Frazer Richardson's deep cross being headed in off a post by Becchio despite the best efforts of Flahavan on the line.

Then, with just 14 minutes remaining, Showunmi punished slack defending by drilling in a low shot after cutting in from the left flank.

It capped a miserable night for Warnock on his return to Yorkshire with the home fans in a crowd of 10,765 gleefully taunting the Palace manager in the closing stages.


Leeds United: Lucas; Richardson, Michalik, Telfer, White (Johnson 73); Kilkenny, Douglas, Delph, Hughes; Becchio (Showunmi 57), Beckford (Howson 78). Unused substitutes: Martin, Rui Marques, Robinson, Snodgrass.

Crystal Palace: Flahavan; Ertl, Lawrence, McCarthy, Hill; Soares, Watson (Fletcher 88), Carle (Hills 63); Moses (Ifill 66), Andrew, Djilali. Unused substitutes: Speroni, Griffit, Thomas, Oster.

Referee: K Friend (Leicestershire).