Kewell’s superb solo effort on 72 minutes sealed victory for Terry Venables’s side as the former Crystal Palace boss endured a hostile reception on his return to Selhurst Park.

However, Leeds required a huge dose of good fortune – something that has been in scarce supply at Elland Road so far this season – to make it through to the sixth round draw.

After Julian Gray’s deflected volley had equalised Gary Kelly’s quickly-taken free-kick, Palace should then have seized the lead.

However, Tommy Black’s close-range effort was not given, even though replays showed the ball almost certainly crossed the line.

Leeds also endured a frenetic late spell of pressure by the First Division side, who had knocked out Liverpool in a fourth round replay, but survived to give their manager some much-needed optimism.

With memories of his ill-fated managerial spell at Selhurst Park still vivid, Venables’ arrival just moments before the delayed kick-off guaranteed the full dramatic effect of the Palace fans rising as one to boo him.

His team were immediately under pressure too, with Palace fielding a three-pronged strikeforce in which Andrew Johnson was especially lively.

For all of their work-rate, however, the home side failed to carve out any real openings and Leeds had the main source of inspiration in Kewell.

The Australia striker struck one effort just past the post and then forced Cedric Berthelin into a smart reaction save at the near post.

Those, however, were rare moments of goalmouth interest in what was otherwise a patchy midfield battle, so the shock which greeted Leeds’ opener on 32 minutes was understandable.

Alan Smith had at least started to give his team added impetus and was brought down on one of his forward bursts to earn his side a free-kick 25 yards out.

There was little immediate danger, or so Palace thought. While keeper Berthelin was still lining up his wall, Kelly seized the initiative and delivered a powerful shot into the far corner.

That was the long-overdue catalyst to bring the match alive, with Palace equalising within just two minutes of the restart.

When Leeds only half-cleared a corner, Gray – who had scored at Anfield – let fly with a volley which deflected off Lucas Radebe and just evaded Kelly on the goalline.

Leeds had a considerable double-escape thereafter, however, when Johnson’s initial effort was cleared off the line and the ball fell invitingly to Black.

His close-range effort struck Michael Duberry, possibly on the arm, but television replays showed that the ball almost certainly crossed the line in any case.

Palace were back on the offensive after the interval, although Gray wasted one half-chance as he stood on the ball instead of controlling it at the far post.

They were forced into an early second-half substitution as Symons limped off and was replaced by former Leeds defender Danny Granville.

Still Palace pressed, however, with Black proving to be their main source of danger as he sent one effort straight at Robinson and then weaved into another shooting position only to be denied by Radebe.

Leeds’ response was a physical one, with Seth Johnson, Kewell and Radebe all booked for mis-timed challenges, while James Milner came on to replace Paul Okon.

But while Mills was twice denied by Berthelin with long-range efforts, it was Palace who continued to threaten most convincingly as Johnson and substitute Danny Granville both went close.

Then again, for all of Leeds’ struggle to impose themselves on the game, they still possessed that extra touch of class in the shape of Kewell.

With Palace still forlornly claiming a penalty at the other end, the Australian winger tore the remnants of the home side’s defence to pieces as he rounded three defenders before slotting his shot past Berthelin.

Robinson needed to deny substitute Dougie Freedman during a late spell of Palace pressure in which the home side had five strikers involved, but Leeds still held on.

Once again, Venables had benefited from a trip to Selhurst Park.