Leeds' Dutch destroyer Jimmy Hasselbaink blasted another two-goal 'come-and-get-me' salvo to Holland coach Guus Hiddink as United maintained their charge towards Europe.

With the World Cup just two months away, Hasselbaink's chances of going to France for World Cup 98 appear remote, but his 19-goal tally has seemingly done enough to earn him up a call-up for any potential warm-up.

If Hasselbaink does not make the world stage this summer, then it now appears as if he will at least have the chance to make his mark in next season's UEFA Cup.

Leeds moved up to fourth on the back of yet another convincing display as Chelsea were given the worst possible preparation for next Thursday's European Cup Winners' Cup semi-final second leg at home to Vicenza.

Blues boss Gianluca Vialli's Coca-Cola Cup winners are already assured of their place in Europe next term, so it came as no great surprise that Leeds' determination to turn a season-long coveted dream into reality was one of the deciding factors - along with Hasselbaink.

A season which started slowly for the £2million summer signing from Portuguese side Boavista has taken off since Christmas with the Surinam-born striker bagging 12 goals in 17 games.

Hasselbaink ensured there was an explosive start to a match between two sides who normally produce fireworks when they meet with a sensational 30-yard finish.

The goalless 'battle of Stamford Bridge' in mid-December, which produced 10 yellow cards during a brutal first-half along with two red for Gary Kelly and Alfie Haaland for second bookable offences, became a distant memory.

On this occasion, despite the treacherous conditions underfoot due to torrential rain before and during the game, the bookings were at a minimum and the good football in abundance.

The breakthrough came in the seventh minute when Ian Harte's throw from the left-wing picked out Hasselbaink, who at first let the ball drift across him and then with one touch had evaded the two markers who were closing in.

With the Chelsea defence having been drawn and leading scorer Hasselbaink with acres of space, he then let fly with a right foot rocket which beat keeper Dmitri Kharine off the inside of his left-hand post for his 18th goal of the season.

But within three minutes Chelsea, with eight changes to the side which Derby 1-0 on Sunday, were level courtesy of another superb finish, this time it was Nigel Martyn's turn to be given no chance.

A Michael Duberry throw from the right deep into the area was headed back by Mark Hughes directly into the path of Laurent Charvet.

The French defender, on-loan until the end of the season from Cannes and former manager Ruud Gullit's last signing before his sacking, struck a crisp right foot volley into the bottom right hand corner.

However, 12 minutes later and Leeds were back in front with David Wetherall heading home his fifth goal of the season - and his first since November - from skipper Gary Kelly's free-kick after Andy Myers had fouled Gunnar Halle.

Leeds ended the first half in control and they eventually capitalised just 73 seconds after the re-start following a beautifully worked move around the edge of the Chelsea area.

Harry Kewell and Alfie Haaland - a half-time substitute for Robert Molenaar - initially played an incisive one-two, with Australian international Kewell then feeding Harte on the left.

His cross picked out Hasselbaink at the far post with a downward header after Halle had missed a chance to stab home from six yards.

Martyn then produced an outstanding save to tip onto the bar a Dennis Wise 64th minute 25-yard free-kick, before Haaland wasted two chances to add a fourth.

One shot beat Kharine, but the ball flashed across the face of goal, while another saw the Russian keep a goalbound left-footer at bay.

But Leeds' fifth victory in six Premiership games was a fitting end to a game which had started in warm-hearted fashion with a full-house Elland Road acclaiming the pilot who saved the Leeds team from a near-fatal plane crash eight days ago.

Captain John Hackett, first officer Garry Lucas and cabin assistants Helen Dutton and Nicola Mee, were all given a rapturous reception in a special on-pitch presentation.

The 61-year-old and his crew were given silver salvers and flowers by chairman Peter Ridsdale, with the Leeds players also offering their gratitude by presenting the brave quartet with Gucci watches in a poignant behind-the-scenes dressing room ceremony.

Teams

Leeds: Martyn, Molenaar (Haaland 46), Hiden, Wetherall, Kelly, Bowyer, Radebe, Halle, Harte, Hasselbaink, Kewell.

Subs Not Used: Hopkin, Lilley, Matthews, Beeney.

Booked: Wetherall, Radebe.

Goals: Hasselbaink 7, Wetherall 22, Hasselbaink 47.

Chelsea: Kharine, Lee, Duberry, Myers, Charvet, Newton (Lambourde 63), Morris (P. Hughes 82), Wise, Le Saux, Zola (Flo 63), M. Hughes.

Subs Not Used: Vialli, Hitchcock.

Booked: M. Hughes.

Goals: Charvet 11.

Att: 37,276

Ref: D R Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).