It is four matches since they have even scored a goal at the stadium having previously lost a League Cup final (1996) and two play-offs (2008 and 2024).
They could not find a performance to match their fans’ passion in the 85,542 crowd as Chelsea rediscovered their mojo after the sacking of Liam Rosenior.
The Stamford Bridge club, showing more fire and urgency under caretaker-coach Calum McFarlane than they did under Rosenior, booked their place in the final against Manchester City with Enzo Fernandez’s 23rd minute header.
Leeds will need to pick themselves up from the disappointment of defeat in their first FA Cup semi-final in since 1987 when they face Burnley at Elland Road on Friday with the prime objective of securing Premier League status.
The semi will not live long in the memory. For the most part it was a scrappy affair but Chelsea deserved it on the basis of their strong first-half performance in which they dominated possession.
It was Leeds who almost drew first blood when Brenden Aaronson’s goal-bound angled drive was diverted wide of the post. That proved a rare attacking opportunity for United who struggled in the first-half to get any momentum.
Joao Pedro struck an upright with Lucas Perri, preferred in goal to Karl Darlow, beaten as Chelsea moved forward smoothly but Leeds could not make the most of that escape.
Eight minutes after Aaronson’s chance Pascal Struijk lost possession in his own half, Pedro Neto snapped up possession and delivered a cross from the right converted by the head of the on-rushing Fernandez.
Leeds could find little in response as they were outgunned in midfield so manager Daniel Farke switched to four at the back at half-time and it almost produced instant dividends.
Anton Stach, a surprising inclusion in the squad after injury in the previous round, came off the bench and sent in a rasping shot which Sanchez did well to paw away.
Although the Whites improved they lacked attacking punch with only a tame Dominic Calvert-Lewin header easily collected by Sanchez about the best they could muster in the later stages.
With Leeds so toothless up front, Chelsea sensed they could see the game out without pressing too hard for a second goal and successfully broke up play whenever they could, including the ‘injured’ goalkeeper tactic when Leeds were in a period of ascendancy.
A disappointed Farke said: “Today was not to be. Our set pieces were not spot on today. So, in our execution, in and around the opponent’s box, were not at our free-flowing best.
“But also, credit to the opponent. I think you could feel that they wanted to concentrate on the basics, on defending and giving everything to defend their own goal, and they’ve also done it in a really good way It was a very tight game.”