Norwich and Leeds are deadlocked after the first leg of the Championship play-offs

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Norwich and Leeds shared a 0-0 first-leg stalemate at Carrow Road which left the Championship play-off semi-final tied.

The clash lacked quality in the final third as neither goalkeeper was overworked, although Leeds had a goal disallowed before the break.

The game will be decided at Elland Road on Thursday night, with both sets of supporters hoping for a bit more magic.

Leeds had finished the regular season with 90 points, 17 more than sixth-placed Norwich, who had been 17th in November when many supporters wanted David Wagner to resign.

Wagner survived and the man who lifted Huddersfield through the play-offs in 2017 found himself in the 2024 version with fellow German Daniel Farke, who led Norwich to automatic promotion as Championship winners in 2019 and 2021.

Leeds have won both of their previous meetings this season, coming from behind to triumph 3-2 at Carrow Road in October and then winning the home leg 1-0 thanks to a goal from Patrick Bamford.

Bamford was injured for this one with Norwich defender Shane Duffy scoring for both teams in the first leg despite being charged with drink-driving earlier in the week.

It was a frantic start as Marcelino Nunez’s shot went wide and Georginio Rutter missed the target at the other end.

Referee Josh Smith added to the raucous atmosphere by not awarding Leeds a penalty when Borja Sainz brought down Wilfried Gnonto just outside the away box, possibly because he thought the Spaniard had taken a touch on the ball.

Gnonto saw a drive blocked before Josh Sargent headed home at the other end.

Norwich were on top, Gabriel Sara saving a free-kick before Nunez was again on target.

Junior Firpo had the ball in the Norwich net on the half-hour after Duffy poked it past his keeper Angus Gunn, but Rutter was flagged for offside in the build-up.

The relegated Sun saw the pace slow, with Gnonto booked just before half-time for some sarcastic cheers at a decision that went against him.

Duffy was booked early in the second half for a cruel challenge on Crysencio Summerville, who had barely been in the game, and Norwich’s best chance for a while followed when Dimi Giannoulis crossed for Sara to hit the edge a bit with a first-time effort. Giannoulis then received a yellow card for Gnonto’s foul.

Firpo and Summerville tested Gunn at his near post, but play came to a halt when Sainz caught Gnonto in the head with a boot.

Both sides made changes, including in attack, but did not have clear chances and therefore no goals followed.