THERE IS ONE COMPELLING REASON why a thirtysomething Russian, in desperate need of a new plaything to divert him from the monotony of making billions from the oil business, was drawn to to the Barclaycard Premiership. Some might bemoan its supposed predictability, but to outsiders such as Roman Abramovich and the wealthy sheikh who hopes to be Leeds United’s saviour, it is the league’s thrillingly capricious nature that makes it so appealing.

Abramovich could, presumably, have taken his billions to Italy and attempted to follow the example of Sergio Cragnotti, who bankrolled Lazio to their first Serie A title in a quarter of a century. Instead, as a man who prefers a calculated gamble, he was attracted to the Premiership and specifically to Chelsea, where there were no guaranteed returns to his investment, rather than Manchester United, where the risk factor would have been considerably lower.

As such, Abramovich has subjected himself to afternoons such as Saturday, when his glittering ensemble were frustrated by the doggedness of a Leeds team that had begun the day at the bottom of the table. It would not happen in other countries, or in other sports, but the most seductive quality of the Premiership is that there are no easy games — at least not now that Leeds are reinventing themselves under the temporary management of Eddie Gray.

The quality of Leeds’s performance should not be overstated, because their backs were against the wall for the duration of a desperate second half, but as a statement of intent for the rest of the season and as an illustration of why the haves will not always overcome the have-nots, it was impressive. Leeds certainly made life difficult for Chelsea, but as Claudio Ranieri and his players recognise, so will every opponent now that they are the team to be beaten in the Premiership.

It is to Chelsea’s immense credit that so few have succeeded thus far. Ranieri was asked whether, after seeing Damien Duff cancel out Jermaine Pennant’s superb opening goal for Leeds, a draw represented two points dropped or one gained. The answer, as he said, will not become clear until the end of the season, but Chelsea’s performance in the second half, which saw them dominate their highly competitive opponents, illustrated for the umpteenth time this season that he has assembled a team rich in substance as well as style.

Leeds, who less than two years ago looked down on Chelsea from the summit of the Premiership, are virtually devoid of style these days, but Gray has sought to bring back what Yorkshire grit remains in a depleted squad. Nine of their starting line-up on Saturday figured, however marginally, in the squad that reached the European Cup semi-finals in 2001, but their mission now is concerned with nothing more than survival.

With Dominic Matteo and Alan Smith warming to the unfamiliar task of bringing their resolute qualities to the centre of midfield, Gray found room in the starting line-up for just one of the seven players whom Peter Reid, the former manager, signed on loan in the summer, but it was telling that the one should be Pennant, the sole Briton among them. “The players I’ve picked all know the importance of staying in the Premiership,” Gray said.

Pennant gave Leeds a scarcely believable lead on 18 minutes, seizing on an error by Claude Makelele before embarking on a slalom run past three defenders and lifting the ball over Carlo Cudicini. It was the least Leeds deserved for an aggressive, if occasionally fractious first-half display, which could have brought them far more than yellow cards. Chelsea, for a time, were looking every bit the stereotypical southern softies.

The second half, though, brought a different spectacle, with Chelsea camped deep in opposition territory. The home team’s determination was summed up by a desperate scramble in which Paul Robinson, Lucas Radebe and Matteo blocked goalbound efforts, but they could not hold out, Duff following up from close range after the Leeds goalkeeper had denied Adrian Mutu.

The result provided satisfaction for Trevor Birch, the Leeds chief executive, who, in his previous job, was instrumental in bringing Abramovich to Stamford Bridge. Finding a buyer for Leeds will be a far tougher proposition in their present state, but this performance will have done his prospects no harm at all.

Leeds United (4-5-1): P Robinson 7 — G Kelly 5, L Radebe 6, M Duberry 6, I Harte 5 — J Pennant 7, A Smith 5, D Matteo 7, S McPhail 5 (sub: D Domi, 64min 4), J Milner 5 (sub: Seth Johnson, 63 5) — M Viduka 5. Substitutes not used: J Morris, M Bridges, S Carson. Booked: Smith, Radebe, Matteo. NEXT: Birmingham (h). FORM: DWLLLL

Chelsea (4-3-1-2): C Cudicini 5 — M Melchiot 6, W Gallas 6, J Terry 7, W Bridge 5 — F Lampard 6, C Makelele 5, J Cole 4 (sub: H Crespo, 46 4) — D Duff 6 — J F Hasselbaink 5 (sub: J Gronkjaer, 75), A Mutu 6. Substitutes not used: N Sullivan, M Desailly, Gérémi. Booked: Hasselbaink, Mutu. NEXT: Bolton (h). FORM: DWWWWW

Shots on target: (h) 5 (a) 11. Fouls: (h) 14 (a) 11. Offsides: (h) 2 (a) 2