Leeds United are back! Farke’s under-fire stars appear in demolition of Norwich ahead of Wembley

Leeds United’s under-fire stars showed their class as Daniel Farke’s side booked their place in the Championship play-off final by demolishing Norwich City.

Four days after the production of Leeds United and Norwich City the worst advertisement for the best league in the world that it is possible to witnessthe two Championship promotion hopefuls clashed in a rematch in front of a rapturous Elland Road crowd on Thursday night.

In the opening leg, neutral Championship fans were beaten as they went through a grueling 90 minutes of play-off action, with Leeds and Norwich don’t want to take any chances as they seemingly settled for a draw before a ball was even kicked.

But for a typically forward-footed Leeds United side that featured a defensive formation with Archie Gray operating further forward instead of a more natural attacking option, this result saw the tide turn in their favor ahead of the return leg at Elland fruit

As for Norwich, they would clearly have preferred to head to West Yorkshire with a full lead. But a goalless stalemate in the first leg was not the end of the world, especially against a Leeds side who had no chance and who would come under increasing scrutiny as the second leg hung on the knife’s edge.

Leeds United were unlucky to miss out on automatic promotion as their tally of 90 points is usually enough to secure a place in the top two. But their dismal run of form during the match saw them sit out ahead of Ipswich Town and Leicester, so manager Daniel Farke – experiencing the Championship play-offs for the first time – had an almighty job on his hands lifting his players off the canvas for three. more defining games.

The home supporters were always going to be fired up for this game and they made their voices heard from the opening whistle. The fans in the stands were up to it and within the first ten minutes, it became apparent that the Leeds United players had turned up too.

Norwich were given an early warning when player of the season Crysencio Summerville drifted into the penalty area before firing over the bar, but Leeds found the net minutes later.

The goal came from an unconventional source, Ilia Gruev’s free-kick wrong-footed Angus Gunn, who was expecting a cross and was penalized for being out of position when the surprise shot hit the keeper at the bar close to him.

Experienced centre-back Shane Duffy called for calm from his team-mates after the goal. Deep down, they would have known Norwich faced a difficult task as in the 22 games Leeds have taken the lead this season, 20 of those games. they resulted in victories.

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The Canaries responded well enough to the passing at the back as they managed to kill them out of the game for a few minutes, but this was short-lived as Leeds doubled their lead in the 20th minute.

Once again aided by poor work from Gunn, Joel Piroe – who returned to the starting XI while Farke fielded a more familiar attacking formation – headed home past the keeper, who left in no man’s land after foolishly opting to go out to collect a deep cross from the right winger Wilfried Gnonto.

Going into this play-off semi-final, Leeds were rightly favorites to progress, but they are a team renowned for working hard at the simplest of tasks, so they found themselves in dreamland, enjoying a perfect opening 20 minutes against Norwich.

However, their brilliant work could easily have been undone moments after the restart as a rare defensive error by Ethan Ampadu allowed Josh Sargeant a free run at goal to an under-fire Illan Meslier, who was left firm when his team needed him most to keep away. international effort of the United States.

Leeds played with intent from the start and their confidence was only boosted by the first two goals (and Meslier’s save).

After looking a shadow of their best selves all over the pitch during the match, that old confidence returned against Norwich, who really couldn’t live with the hosts.

Any remaining semblance of hope from Norwich’s prospects soon ended as Georginio Rutter and Summerville finally got on the scoresheet to win 4-0 on the night and on aggregate. And honestly, there should have been more.

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As Leeds’ inquiry into their late-season slump grew more severe, their players under control responded in style to produce a performance befitting a team that ended the regular season with a number of 90 points.

Norwich’s promotion hopes rested on Leeds United’s struggles to continue in the play-offs, but they were afforded no such luxury as they were outclassed and given a footballing lesson by their superior foes, who they made an almighty statement ahead of next weekend. the play-off final at Wembley.

Wagner’s sides have now failed to score in 90 minutes or extra time in six play-off games and it is too early for their fledgling side to reach the Premier League, but they – especially if they can hold off Jonathan Rowe and Gabriel Sara – you will be better for this experience next season.

Southampton or West Brom could be forgiven for letting out an audible gasp after witnessing Leeds United – particularly their talented door – return to form at just the right time as they look to secure an immediate return to the Premier League by going * finally* over. their playoff hoodoo.