It might not always have been that way - Leeds were level for a large portion of the first half, Alan Smith equalising Dejan Stefanovic's header - but when Pompey almost scored via Sheringham within a minute of the kick-off, the warning signs were there for the basement side.
Leeds did play well in the first half and deserved to be level, but Gary O'Neil - who we know about, but precious few others did - put Pompey in front on the stroke of half time with a fantastic volley which nipped in via a Leeds defender.
It was a different story in the second half. The game was delayed because of a floodlight failure earlier, but after the break it really rather looked like it was Leeds who were caught, rabbit style, between the lights.
Hayden Foxe grabbed his first top flight goal before Gary O'Neil got his brace with a tap in with twenty minutes remaining - it's a fair bet he won't be going back to Walsall any time soon.
Patrik Berger danced around Paul Robinson for the fifth before Yakubu hit the sixth near the end to complete Portsmouth's biggest win so far this season - and to leave Leeds fans wondering when the good times will return.
Final score: Portsmouth 6 Leeds United 1!