![Sensational Leeds humiliate Norwich to reach play-off final at Wembley (1) Sensational Leeds humiliate Norwich to reach play-off final at Wembley (1)](https://i0.wp.com/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/05/16/TELEMMGLPICT000377941705_17158959244530_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqGhFGD3OcMvc3EVqNhTDH_7eHsZFrEmHQDi0eQN40zhg.jpeg?imwidth=680)
History beckons for resurgent Leeds United, who will head to Wembley on May 26 aiming to win promotion via the play-offs for the first time.
Daniel Farke’s men had won only one of their previous seven games, but this stunning victory will ensure they contest the Championship play-off final overflowing with self-belief.
Leeds’ teamwork was matchless, their conviction unshakeable as they reduced Norwich to rubble at a raucous Elland Road.
The match and the tie was effectively over at half-time with the hosts 3-0 up and in total control.
Ilia Gruev, Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter scored before the break and Crysencio Summerville added a fourth in the second half, sparking wild celebrations amongst the jubilant Leeds fans.
![Sensational Leeds humiliate Norwich to reach play-off final at Wembley (2) Sensational Leeds humiliate Norwich to reach play-off final at Wembley (2)](https://i0.wp.com/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/05/16/TELEMMGLPICT000377941731_17158927753730_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bqa1J7w7bbU63f4JKgXB59-Z2ADQVXyanecWkvzzqwM2c.jpeg?imwidth=350)
It was a special victory for Whites boss Farke, who guided Norwich to the Premier League as Championship title winners twice in the past five seasons.
As Leeds bid to return to the Premier League at the first attempt, the German will look to finish the job against Southampton or West Brom on Sunday week.
The Yorkshire giants have a huge monkey off their backs, though, having failed to go up in their previous five play-off campaigns.
Perhaps this is their time. Certainly the way Elland Road celebrated this famous victory suggested that Leeds could take some stopping.
Farke said: “This place is really second to none when it’s rocking.
“Our run-in was not best because of many injuries but we had positivity and unity which I’m grateful for.
“Elland Road is a great help. We all grew up wanting to be a football player for nights like this.
“We have a great chance to write another chapter of history in this amazing club.”
Norwich boss David Wagner admitted: “Obviously it was a poor performance from us and Leeds were very good.
“The players defended well in the first leg but we switched off here and got punished. Everyone has seen the difference between Leeds and us.”
Norwich’s players must have felt like they were entering a lion’s den with the ear-splitting noise that fell from the stands before kick-off.
Leeds had laid out a scarf on each home seat for fans and the club’s famousMarching on Togetheranthem was belted out with remarkable gusto.
🔥 Elland Road! Our Fans! pic.twitter.com/cGIIKrA1BS
— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 16, 2024
When Joe Rodon strode forward inside the Norwich half and was felled in the seventh minute, Gruev curled home the resulting free-kick left-footed from 25 yards.
The Canaries’ defensive wall was pitiful but bedlam greeted a first goal in the white jersey for Gruev, who raced away to the home dug-out before being mobbed by nearly the entire Leeds bench.
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 16, 2024"The ice is broken in the Play-Offs Semi-Final"
Ilia Gruev scores his first Leeds United goal 🔥🔓 pic.twitter.com/MoasuWZFqn
Leeds’ second goal duly arrived in the 20th minute when the ball was worked to Willy Gnonto on the right flank.
The Italy forward delivered a deep cross to the far post where Piroe was unmarked to plant a header past Angus Gunn.
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 16, 2024"The Wembley arch in sight already" 👀
Gnonto 🔗 Piroe 🔥 pic.twitter.com/zLcfrmTqlO
Yellow and blue flares were thrown from the jubilant home stands, but moments later Norwich almost scored out of nowhere.
Josh Sargent escaped the attention of Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu and burst through on goal, where Illan Meslier produced a superb save to deny him.
Hard Sargent scored, Norwich might have been back in the game.
Probably not, though, as Leeds always gave the inescapable impression they could move through the gears when the opportunities arose – and so it proved in the 40th minute.
Good work from Summerville led to the ball being played to the far post where Rutter was on hand to thrash home a right-foot shot via the woodwork, sparking more wild celebrations.
Moments later, Gnonto broke clear and fired straight at Gunn before Rutter was denied on the stroke of half-time.
Rutter thunders in Leeds' third ⚡⚡⚡ pic.twitter.com/TQsUAQU8MV
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 16, 2024
The end of a torrid first half came as a blessed relief for shellshocked Norwich, who were lucky to be only 3-0 down.
Immediately after the restart, Piroe should have increased Leeds’ advantage but fired straight at Gunn from six yards out.
But a fourth Leeds goal arrived in the 68th minute when Gnonto’s low shot from 18 yards was parried by Gunn straight to Junior Firpo, who cleverly pulled the ball back for Summerville to fire home close range.
Amid mounting scenes of mounting euphoria, the match turned into a doddle for Leeds, whose Wembley preparations can now begin in earnest.
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A bit more Kaiser Chiefs?
Yes please...
1 more to go #LUFC pic.twitter.com/B36L30w9aW
— Ben Parker (@ben_parker19) May 16, 2024
As if by magic, here it is. Superb. pic.twitter.com/pYRW5chpBt https://t.co/d8tTG4KZ1p
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) May 16, 2024
‘They were brilliant today’
Daniel Farke speaking to Sky Sports: “Well done to the boys. One of our most complete performances of the season. There were a few things that I will have to moan about. Few chances missed, a bit too excited at times but otherwise we were excellent. They were brilliant today.”
Live from Elland Road
🤳 "Wembley we're coming!"#EFLPlayOffs | @LUFC pic.twitter.com/D8nxyXEQdC
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) May 16, 2024
‘I should try and have a shot’
Leeds midfielder Ilia Gruev speaking to Sky Sports: “It was early in the game and knew that there keeper sometimes speculates on the cross. I just thought I should try and have a shot. It went it and it was amazing – my first goal for Leeds. It’s nice to score in such an important game.”
Scenes
Come to see the final whistle...stay to hear Leeds fans belt out ‘I Predict A Riot’.
BREAKING: Leeds reach the Championship Play-Off Final at Wembley after beating Norwich 4-0 🔵🟡 pic.twitter.com/hZDjFaMM8i
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 16, 2024
79 mins: Leeds 4 Norwich 0 (agg 4-0)
This game has entered the meandering phase. Result assured, Norwich spirit broken and Leeds seemingly keen to coast to the finish line. The last challenge for them will be to earn a clean sheet. If they do, this will be about as close to a complete performance as you could get.
GOOOOAAALLLL
3-0.....game over. Norwich simply are not up to the level of this Leeds side. It’s another rapid break from the home side. Summerville does well to get a touch that sends the ball wider to Rutter. His finish is unstoppable, off the underside of the bar.
Rutter thunders in Leeds' third ⚡⚡⚡ pic.twitter.com/TQsUAQU8MV
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 16, 2024
GOOOOOAAAALLLLL
Leeds double their lead! It’s a superb goal as well and it’s Gnonto who should take a bow. His ball in is a peach, floating perfectly to the back post where Piroe is unmarked. He has the simplest of headers but takes his goal well. All uphill for Norwich from here.
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 16, 2024"The Wembley arch in sight already" 👀
Gnonto 🔗 Piroe 🔥 pic.twitter.com/zLcfrmTqlO
GOOOOOAAAALLLLL
Gruev puts Leeds ahead! Gunn is expecting Gruev to cross from a position just in from the touchline on the right side. The Leeds midfielder tries his luck though and completely catches out the Norwich keeper. Brilliant opportunism but poor keeping you have to say.
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 16, 2024"The ice is broken in the Play-Offs Semi-Final"
Ilia Gruev scores his first Leeds United goal 🔥🔓 pic.twitter.com/MoasuWZFqn
‘Compact and aggressive’
Daniel Farke speaks to Sky Sports: “Norwich are a brave side with technically good footballers in the middle. They have experienced strikers and we have to make sure we are compact and aggressive. We have to be spot on today.
“We have a pretty good record when we go in the lead and scoring the first goal would make it easier from a tactical point of view. But the players know they have to be on it from the first to the last second.”
‘Barnesy is a tough guy ‘
Norwich City manager David Wagner: “We know it will be decided tonight and we are prepared for all scenarios. It’s important we start well, stay in the game. If we are able to score the first goal it will be a massive boost.”
On the fitness of Ashley Barnes: “The medical department worked tirelessly. Barnesy is a tough guy and he was desperate to be involved. Josh Sargent’s ankle is fine; he was never a doubt.”
The dulcit tones...
...off Chris Brown and Benny Bennasi welcome the Leeds squad to their dressing room. Tune to be fair.
🚌 #LUFC checking in! pic.twitter.com/8BgPam3NGq
— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 16, 2024
Here comes the home side
🏡 #LUFC in the house. pic.twitter.com/krQ0b9UcBP
— Joe Donnohue (@JoeDonnohue) May 16, 2024
Confirmed Norwich XI
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) May 16, 2024Barnesy's back 💪
Here's your Canaries for tonight's play-off semi-final second leg 💛 pic.twitter.com/4QHjVgRhZW
Confirmed Leeds XI
📋 Your #LUFC Starting XI... pic.twitter.com/1bpUUGIc1a
— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 16, 2024
‘It will be an amazing atmosphere’
![Sensational Leeds humiliate Norwich to reach play-off final at Wembley (14) Sensational Leeds humiliate Norwich to reach play-off final at Wembley (14)](https://i0.wp.com/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/05/16/TELEMMGLPICT000377919464_17158822508620_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bqk5KUpRLWF8QKPbNimsRIKNgbalvafjWN17_pYRK6SW0.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Leeds manager Daniel Farke: “I think it will definitely be an amazing atmosphere, probably much whiter than yellow. But, we also have to make sure that we are again not overexcited. So to show a good mental strength in this moment will be also quite important.”
On the challenge posed by Norwich: “Everything is still possible.Norwich is just a really good side and also a threat on the counter attack. If you’re too greedy and open too many spaces, then they could punish you. We have to make sure that we find a good fine margin.
“Obviously we like to play at home, there’s no doubt about this. We have overall a really good home record in the season, but it’s no guarantee. So still 50-50 and then both sides have the same chance to earn their spot in the final.
“I’m pleased with the performance [in the first leg], also overall happy with the result but nothing is done yet. So it’s still a tight game and we have to make sure that we keep going because Norwich are really, really dangerous.”
Injury latest
Pascal Struijk and Patrick Bamford are big losses for Leeds, with both now likely to miss the playoff final should Leeds win tonight. Other than that, the hosts look to have a fairly clean bill of health, with Daniel James’ recovery from an oblique injury a real plus for Farke.
For Norwich, the concern is all about the fitness of leading scorer Josh Sargent, who limped off in the first leg with an apparent ankle injury. To make matter worse for David Wagner, back-up Ashley Barnes is also a doubt due a calf problem, meaning Sydney van Hooijdonk could be in line for a first start since joining the club in January.
Match preview
What’s more exciting than the playoffs? Really. It just has everything and tonight we have the first of Championship semi-final second legs as Norwich City travel north to face Leeds United at Elland Road – the finest ground in the country for this sort of clash, I would posit.
The atmosphere for this same fixture in 2019 – when Leeds ultimately fell to Derby County – was truly electric and while the home fans will be without the torment of a 16-year top-flight absence weighing them down this time, similar can be expected tonight.
That said, the first leg of this tie failed to deliver the sort of excitement with which the playoffs are usually associated. A drab 0-0 draw at Carrow Road saw just 13 total shots in total, leading to an xG of 0.76 – only four Championship matches this season have ranked lower on that statistic.
Daniel Farke will surely be the happier of the managers going into this tie, knowing he has Elland Road on his side, but Leeds’ form of late must be a worry. His side have only won once in their last eight, a run which ultimately ended their hopes of automatic promotion.
Norwich bring a similar run into this one, having won just twice in their last eight and David Wagner will not be buoyed by his side’s recent history against Leeds which amounts to just two wins in 12.
The pressure cooker will undoubtedly be cranked up to the max this evening but let us all hope for a match that properly befits the occasion. The 2019 semi-final second leg was one of the most exciting matches of that decade – fingers crossed tonight can be the same.
- Daniel Farke slams officials over disallowed goal in Leeds' play-off draw at Norwich
- Leeds defender Charlie Cresswell crashes £60,000 Range Rover into police car outside Elland Road
- Leeds fan 'slashed in the neck' in row about alleged tragedy chants
- Russell Martin backs Southampton to click into gear for second leg against West Brom
Related Topics
- Elland Road,
- Leeds United FC,
- Norwich City FC,
- Championship Play-Off
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