Report: Leeds United 2-0 Norwich City | OneFootball

Sky Bet Championship

Leeds United 2 (Solomon 1’, James 65’)

Norwich City 0

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Bogle, Ampadu (C), Rodon, James (Gnonto 74’), Rothwell (Guilavogui 89'), Piroe, Aaronson, Solomon (Ramazani 74’), Tanaka (Gruev 54’), Byram (Firpo 54’). Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Joseph, Schmidt, Wober.

Norwich: Gunn (GK), Stacey, Duffy, Doyle, Marcondes, Chrisene (Mahovo 72’), Dobbin (Hills 90'), McLean (C), Hernandez (Crnac 59’), Schwartau (Sargent 59’), Fisher (Myles 72’). Subs not used: Long (GK), Djedje, Aboh, Warner.

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 35,157 (954 away)

Referee: Matthew Donohue

Booked: Tanaka, Byram, Rothwell, Piroe (Leeds) Fisher (Norwich)

Leeds United secured another important three points with a comfortable home win over Norwich City and in doing so, returned to the top of the Sky Bet Championship and made it 16 clean sheets for the season.

Under the lights of Elland Road, the Whites returned to action and were looking for back-to-back victories in the league, after defeating Sheffield Wednesday last time out. Daniel Farke’s side knew a win would take them back to the top of the table.

The Canaries were searching for three points themselves as they continued their push towards the play-off places in the table. They came into the game having lost in Yorkshire just a few days earlier, away at Sheffield United.

Following the win last time out, Farke had named an unchanged XI to face the Canaries and they repaid his faith by scoring after just 30 seconds had been played, with a stunning team move!

Brenden Aaronson won the ball back on the halfway line and exchanged a one-two with Jayden Bogle, before the American released Dan James on the right. The winger burst away and crossed low into the box, finding Manor Solomon who finished brilliantly first time!

After taking the lead, the Whites enjoyed the majority of the possession. More good interplay saw Joel Piroe create a chance to shoot, his effort was deflected but still forced Angus Gunn into making a save.

It was the notebook of the referee which had also seen plenty of action, too. Kellen Fisher was booked early on for the visitors, swiftly followed by Ao Tanaka and Sam Byram for the hosts.

Entering stoppage time in the first half, Gunn was forced into a big save to keep the deficit at one. Tanaka played a pinpoint ball to the back of the box to find the run of Bogle, who volleyed first time towards the top corner, only to see the ‘keeper deny him at full stretch.

The whistle to end the first half sounded shortly after and sent the home side back into the changing room with a one goal advantage, after Solomon’s early strike.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-0 Norwich City

Back underway at Elland Road in the second half, neither team had made a change as they came out to battle once again for the remaining 45 minutes in this encounter.

Looking for a second goal, the Whites came close, forcing Gunn into another good save. Like in the first half, Piroe had a shot from the edge of the box which was again deflected, but the Norwich stopper reacted well to tip it around the post

Farke went to his bench a short time after the restart, making a double change. With both players on a yellow card, Tanaka and Byram were the players replaced, allowing Junior Firpo and Ilia Gruev to enter the action.

With 25 minutes left to play, the lead was doubled after another excellent finish inside the box, with a reversal of roles for the players who combined for the opening goal!

After the ball remained in play and was kept alive around the Norwich penalty area, Solomon turned provider this time by crossing to the back post and finding James, who calmly volleyed into the far corner with the inside of his right foot!

After a goal and an assist each to their names, both James and Solomon were taken off with just over 15 minutes to play. Waiting to come on as direct replacements on the wings, Largie Ramazani and Willy Gnonto entered.

Looking to make an impact, Ramazani was the next to test Gunn. Another well worked team move saw the ball played to the winger on the edge of the area, he shot low and saw the Norwich number 1 tip the strike just past the post.

When the whistle sounded it brought a good night of work to a close for Farke’s side, who were able to add another three points to their league tally, moving back to the top of the league.

FULL TIME: Leeds United 2-0 Norwich City