Since 2011, no Premier League side had started the final day in the bottom three and lived to tell the tale.
Eighteenth-placed United were tied on points with Burnley but, with their horrible goal difference dragging them below the dreaded dotted line, the West Yorkshire side had not only to match but better the Clarets' result in the last game.
Though the sides' fixtures were relatively evenly-matched - both against mid-table teams - Burnley had the advantage over Leeds. Not only would they decide their own fate, they would do so on home soil at Turf Moor, while United were forced to battle for safety on foreign ground, playing at the Brentford Community Stadium for the first time since it opened at the start of the 2020/2021 season.
It was a final day that did not fail to meet expectations, with plenty of drama, twists and turns right up until the final whistle.
Here is the story of the game which sealed Leeds United's Premier League spot for the 2022/2023 season....
Though the sides' fixtures were relatively evenly-matched - both against mid-table teams - Burnley had the advantage over Leeds. Not only would they decide their own fate, they would do so on home soil at Turf Moor, while United were forced to battle for safety on foreign ground, playing at the Brentford Community Stadium for the first time since it opened at the start of the 2020/2021 season.
7. Signed, sealed, delivered
56' - With a stuttering run-up, Raphinha nets the penalty calmly at the Brentford Community Stadium. Photo: Tony Johnson
8. Scenes
56' - The away end goes barmy for Raphinha's opener, which puts Leeds United three points clear of the drop zone as things stand. Photo: Tony Johnson
9. Double trouble
60' - Burnley's woes deepen at Turf Moor as Callum Wilson strikes again to give Newcastle United a 2-0 lead over their relegation-threatened hosts. Photo: Lindsey Parnaby
10. Not giving in
69' - The Clarets re-ignite the anxious home crowd by clawing one back, with Maxwel Cornet the provider. 1-2 to Newcastle United. Photo: Nick Potts
11. And then there were ten...
76' - Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer goes down with an injury. Bees boss Thomas Frank has already used all three of his substitutions so, with Ajer unable to continue, the home side are down to ten men. Photo: Adrian Dennis
12. A twist in the tale
78' - Bees forward Yoane Wissa finds Sergi Canós unmarked at the back post and the Spaniard easily heads home an equaliser. 1-1 at the Brentford Community Stadium, Leeds still one point ahead of trailing Burnley. Photo: John Walton