Joel Piroe scored a goal in each half as Leeds United went top of the Championship, while stretching Stoke City's winless run to nine matches.
The Dutch striker took his season's tally to nine goals as Leeds won away from home for only the second time in eight games to fully cash in on morning leaders Sheffield United's home slip-up against Burnley.
On a depressingly cold night of freezing fog in the Potteries, Stoke's limp performance just added to the chill as far as the home fans are concerned.
Narcis Pelach's Potters now sit just three points clear of the relegation zone, having won just three times in 18 games since the Spaniard came in as the surprise successor to the sacked Steven Schumacher in mid-September.
Even in the freezing fog which made for such difficult viewing almost throughout from the four stands, it was clear to see that Leeds were the most likely winners right from the first whistle.
From one lightning burst down the right by Wales international winger Dan James, the attempted clearance from Stoke defender Ben Wilmot skewed only just wide.
Brenden Aaronson also had a right-foot shot from outside the box saved in the top left corner by Stoke keeper Viktor Johansson.
But the Leeds breakthough finally came three minutes before the break.
Ethan Ampadu threaded though Piroe into the inside-left channel and his footwork did the rest as he bore down on Johansson.
The Stoke keeper blocked him but the ball ran loose, Piroe was first to it, turned though 180 degrees and, all in one movement, slammed a right-foot screamer into the roof of the net.
The lead was then doubled by the Dutchman on 63 minutes and it was another goal made in Wales as, having drifted in behind down the left, James hooked a clever cross for Piroe to ghost in and nod home from close range.
Both sides are back in action on Sunday when Stoke play at home for the second time in four days - and Leeds are on the road again.
Pelach's Potters host fourth-placed Sunderland in one of the afternoon games, before Leeds visit Derby County for a tea-time kick-off (17:45 GMT).
'We should have shown more cutting edge' - reaction
Stoke City boss Narcis Pelach told BBC Radio Stoke:
"Leeds have a lot of quality. They have very fast players and can be dangerous, as they showed.
"I'm pleased with the effort. We connected with the fans in the stadium – but then they scored their second goal.
"We use a back four or a back five, depending on the opponents. I don't think that is having a negative effect.
"We find ourselves now in a place with less confidence, which will test our dynamics. We have to put this to bed quickly."
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Leeds:
"It was a good win and a good performance. Not one of our shiniest. We should have shown more cutting edge, but we had control.
"The games are coming thick and fast though, so you can't complain about an away win and a clean sheet.
"I am older than my players and have been through such situations so I didn't really feel any added pressure about going top tonight.
"But it's the first time my players have come under this sort of pressure. We don't have many title winners in our team, so they dealt with it well."