Leeds smashed Norwich to book their Championship play-off final date

Leeds stayed on course for an immediate return to the Premier League after beating Norwich 4-0 in the second leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.

Daniel Farke’s side, who faltered in the play-offs after winning just one of their last six regular-season games, rediscovered their top form to see off Norwich with three first-half goals.

Ilia Gruev’s smart free-kick, Joel Piroe’s header and Georginio Rutter’s emphatic far-post finish put Leeds in complete control at half-time and Crysencio Summerville added a fourth goal in the second half.

Leeds missed out on automatic promotion after their dismal game but now have the chance to cast their play-off ghost against either Southampton or West Brom in the final at Wembley on May 26.

Leeds fans, whose side have failed to win promotion via the play-offs in five previous attempts, waved their scarves before kick-off to turn the stadium into four walls of white and their team responded by making a blistering start.

Summerville crashed an early shot over the bar before Gruev gave them a lead in the seventh minute with a brilliant first goal from Leeds in his 34th appearance for the club.

Leeds were fouled 25 yards out and, after spotting Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn out of position, the quick-thinking Bulgarian midfielder curled a left-footed free-kick inside the near post.

Leeds were swept away by a wave of white on the terraces and, with Norwich on the back foot out of form, the hosts raced into a two-goal lead by the 20th minute.

Willy Gnonto cleared down the right and his deep cross was headed home by the unmarked Piroe for his 16th goal of the season in all competitions.

Norwich were gifted a chance to stem the tide two minutes later when Ethan Ampadu cleared Josh Sargent’s challenge, leaving the Norwich forward with a clear run at goal, but his low effort was superbly saved by Illan Meslier.

After that layoff, Leeds were relentless. Piroe broke in from the left far too easily and although Summerville slipped in his attempt to latch on to the cross, the ball broke for Rutter who smashed his finish off the far post into the roof of the net.

Rutter was denied a second by Dimitrios Giannoulis’ goal-line block in first-half stoppage time as Norwich were relieved to go into half-time just three goals down.

It should have been 4-0 shortly after the restart when Piroe fired a first-time effort in front of goal straight at Gunn, who again saved from both Summerville and Piroe shortly after.

Leeds didn’t take their foot off the gas and were rewarded with a fourth goal through Summerville’s low finish from Junior Firpo’s pull-back after Gunn parried Gnonto’s effort.

Rutter received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Connor Roberts in the 74th minute, while it was a night to forget for Norwich, who mustered just one shot on target.