Report: Leeds United 4-0 Norwich City

The Whites book their place at Wembley.

Sky Bet Championship Play-off Semi Final Second Leg

Leeds United 4 (Gruev 7′, Piroe 20′, Rutter 40′, Summerville 68′)

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Firpo, Ampadu (C), Piroe (Joseph 74′), Kamara, Summerville (Anthony 74′), Rodon, Gray, Georginio (Roberts 74′), Gnonto (James 69′), Gruev (Cooper 83 )’). Unused subscriptions: Darlow (GK), Cresswell, Cooper, Shackleton, Gelhardt.

Norwich: Gunn (GK), Stacey, Gibson (McCallum 63′), Sargent (Sainz 46′), Barnes (van Hooijdonk 81′), Sara, McLean (C), Duffy, Nunez, Rowe (Sorensen 81′), Giannoulis (Fassnacht ) 63′). Unused subscriptions: Long (GK), Hanley, Bath, Fisher.

Reserved: Gruev, Georginio (Leeds) Rowe, McLean (Norwich)

Leeds United booked their place in next weekend’s Sky Bet Championship play-off final after an emphatic 4-0 demolition of Norwich City at Elland Road.

Backed by more than 36,000 tonight, goals from Ilia Gruev, Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter saw the Whites take a three-goal lead before the break, with winger Crysencio Summerville adding to the scoreline after the break.

It was Summerville who had the first sight of goal for the home side, picking up the ball from the left flank before darting up the pitch to find Georginio. A deft backheel from the Frenchman returned the favor for his team-mate at the back, but from a tight angle the winger was unable to work past Angus Gunn in the Norwich goal.

The Canaries goalkeeper had to be alert moments later, running to smother the ball after United captain Ethan Ampadu looked to meet Piroe’s run inside the area from deep.

The pressure was starting to build though and soon after, Joe Rodon, who came in from behind with the ball, won a free-kick in what looked like an excellent centering position down the right.

However, Bulgarian star Gruev must not have gotten the memo, charging onto the ball and curling a perfect free-kick inside the near post beyond Gunn’s desperation throw to give Leeds an early lead, much to his delight Elland Road. faithful!

Eager to add a quick second, Daniel Farke’s relentless start continued when Archie Gray, sent on at fullback this time, clipped an incisive pass to Wilfried Gnonto on the line.

The Italy international went on the attack, ignoring Georginio’s tireless run, and sent a superb delivery to Piroe at the back post, the striker again heading over Gunn to double his side’s lead! Elland Road was rocking.

Moments after the restart, the Canaries responded almost immediately, with Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier on hand to make a sublime one-on-one save to deny Josh Sargent’s broken effort as the American striker latched on to a ball long from deep to get through the run. on the gate.

Two almost became three just after the half-hour mark when Rodon rose highest to meet a dangerous corner from Summerville from the left, curling a terrific header wide of Gunn’s far post with the Norwich stopper rooted to the spot. in front of the place.

Gnonto was the next to go close, having been picked out after a superb sequence of passes which eventually saw Piroe find the striker. On the edge of the area, the 20-year-old hit a low drive that stung Gunn’s palms.

Five minutes before half-time, with Farke’s side under pressure in their own half, some fine skill saw Piroe wriggle and, benefiting from a Canary highline, the forward raced down the left flank.

Charging on the edge of the area, Piroe slipped an eye-catching delivery across goal which, assisted by Norwich’s Shane Duffy, fell to the feet of Georginio at the back post, who fired home from under the crossbar, sending l on Elland Road. in the whirlwind.

Seconds before referee Jarred Gillett ended a thrilling first half, Georginio almost added a fourth following a goal-line scramble, but amid a sea of ​​yellow shirts, the striker was unable to get a shot off.

AT HALF TIME: Leeds United 3-0 Norwich City

Within seconds of the restart, more sublime football from the home side created an opening for Piroe, Georginio and Summerville combining superbly to find the Dutchman. Inside the area, the 24-year-old struck first time, forcing Gunn into a smart save.

A number of chances followed, Summerville first heading home Gray’s delivery before the Scotland international was called upon again for the visitors, saving superbly with his feet to deny the left-hander.

With the Whites knocking on the door in search of a fourth, Gunn was again called into action as United got back in front, suffocating the ball as Piroe shaped to shoot.

Half-time substitute Borja Sainz had the first sight of the Canaries’ goal in the second half just after the hour mark, driving a low shot towards goal from distance, only to see his tame, speculative effort cleared by Ampadu.

If Sainz’s strike was to give the visitors any hope of an inspired comeback, those thoughts were quickly extinguished when Summerville eventually made it four at the other end.

A brilliant move saw Gnonto have a fierce attempt saved by Gunn, but the Norwich keeper could only parry it in the way of the onrushing Junior Firpo, whose cut back left Summerville with the simplest of tasks to get home!

Other chances came and went for the hosts as Farke championed the changes against his former employers with Elland Road in good voice as the Whites book their rendezvous with destiny under the Wembley Arch next weekend.

Leeds United will meet the winner of Southampton v West Bromwich Albion in the capital for the chance to win promotion back to the Premier League.

FULL TIME: Leeds United 4-0 Norwich City