But there was perhaps no surprise Manchester United suffered a post-European hangover in the wake of their glorious Champions' Cup exploits against Juventus in Turin.
Leeds dominated the first half, with Australian international Harry Kewell the star of the show in the Yorkshire sunshine and from the start of this late morning kick-off, ruling the roost from his wide-left role. Having twice teed up Lee Bowyer, as well as 18-year-old striker Alan Smith with chances, he was not to be denied as another surging run from the halfway line in the 32nd minute led to the opener.
Wes Brown, at the heart of the defence alongside David May - a late inclusion in the line-up as Jaap Stam pulled out due to an Achilles injury sustained in the warm up - was initially at fault. He failed to cut out Kewell's pass, enabling Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to nutmeg Peter Schmeichel with a right-foot shot in-off the post for his 18th of the season.
United, whose only chance during the first 45 minutes was when Nigel Martyn twice cleared off the line within a second to deny Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole, eventually levelled 10 minutes after the break. During a spell when Leeds had gone off the boil, skipper Roy Keane's deft, bouncing cross picked out Nicky Butt at the far post and although Martyn produced a fingertip stop, Cole was on hand to stab home the rebound from four yards as Woodgate challenged.
Leeds, who are now unbeaten in their last 10 matches - seven successive wins followed by three draws - suffered a second blow in losing Jonathon Woodgate to injury.The 19-year-old is now doubtful for England's friendly with Hungary in midweek.
The best chance of a winner came with the last kick of the game from the Treble-chasers and from Yorke, who blazed over from close range with only Martyn to beat.
Ferguson said: "It's in our own hands. There's still a lot of twists and turns. But it's a good result for Arsenal and Chelsea, it will given them more hope.
"It's still not a bad result for us. I'm proud of them (the players) because they have achieved a lot in the last couple of weeks.
"But I think it (the title race) will go down to the wire."
Ferguson's side had the chance to win the match with the last kick of the game, but the normally reliable Dwight Yorke blazed over with only Nigel Martyn to beat.
Ferguson added: "We could have won it. It was a good chance for Dwight.
"But I think we can forgive him. He's been fantastic all season."
Ferguson, meanwhile, revealed inspirational centre-back Jaap Stam had been forced to pull out of the game during the warm-up with an Achilles problem as a precaution.
Leeds centre-back Jonathon Woodgate suffered the bitter disappointment of having to pull out of the England squad after sustaining a knee injury.
Woodgate was euphoric on Thursday when England boss Kevin Keegan named the 19-year-old in his 22-man strong party for Wednesday's friendly with Hungary in Budapest. But he was caught on his right knee as Cole stabbed home his 23rd goal of the season 10 minutes after the break.
Woodgate was forced to limp off moments later and Leeds manager David O'Leary, who pledged his future to the club by signing a new five-year deal on Sunday morning, confirmed: "Woodgate's out.
"He'll be disappointed that he'll be missing out on England, but it's a case of getting him fit for this Saturday (at West Ham)."
O'Leary faces further problems as Ian Harte (back), Lee Bowyer (hamstring) and Harry Kewell (thigh) also picked up their injuries during Sunday's match.
Leeds dominated the first-half, taking a 32nd-minute lead through Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who nutmegged Peter Schmeichel for his 18th goal of the season.
With O'Leary's future guaranteed, he is looking for the club's youngsters to follow suit this summer when he sits down with them to discuss their own long-term deals.
O'Leary has already received assurances from the players that they will put pen-to-paper, and he said: "I felt that if all the young players were wanting to sign fresh contracts, then it was important I pledged myself. I can now go in and sign them. But we saw the yardstick today. We've got to bring in quality people if we are going to chase Manchester United in the future."
Leeds United: Martyn, Radebe, Harte, Batty, Woodgate, Bowyer, Jones, Kewell, McPhail, Smith, Hasselbaink. Subs: Weatherall for Woodgate, Wijnhard for Hasselbaink Scorers: Hasselbaink (32)
Manchester United: Schmeichel, Irwin, Brown, May, G Neville, Beckham, Butt, Keane, Blomqvist, Cole, Yorke. Subs: P Neville for Irwin, Sheringham for Blomqvist, Scholes for Beckham Scorers: Cole (56)
Referee: D Gallagher
Attendance: 40,255