Serious questions had been asked of Leeds United’s promotion mettle in a terribly-timed run of just one win in five.
But Daniel Farke’s side answered many of them here as their stylish attacking play proved too strong for Middlesbrough in a Championship classic.
Falling behind to Isaiah Jones, Leeds responded through Crysencio Summerville’s penalty and Patrick Bamford.
Back came Boro through Emmanuel Latte Lath but brilliantly-taken goals by Wilfried Gnonto - albeit from an offside position - and Summerville took Leeds up into second.
With Leicester winning on Saturday and Ipswich still having a game spare, Leeds delivered under intense pressure as the finish line moves into view.