Norwich won't rejoin Premier League, after bruising defeat to Leeds
It ended Leeds 4-0 Norwich in 90 minutes, at Elland Road
Last updated 16th May 2024
Norwich's hopes of rejoining the Premier League this season are over, after they were beaten by Leeds at Elland Road, this evening
It ended Leeds 4-0 Norwich in 90 minutes, with goals coming from IIlia Gruev, Joël Piroe and Georginio Rutter.
This comes after the first leg between the two finish goalless at Carrow Road, where neither team was able to establish themselves or trouble the other's goal.
The game in more detail:
Ilia Gruev's clever free-kick, Joel Piroe's header and Georginio Rutter's emphatic far-post finish put Leeds in complete control at the interval and Crysencio Summerville added a fourth goal in the second half.
Summerville crashed an early shot over the crossbar before Gruev gave them a seventh minute lead with a brilliant first Leeds goal in his 34th appearance for the club.
Leeds were awarded a foul 25 yards out and after spotting Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn out of position, the quick-thinking Bulgaria midfielder curled a left-footed free-kick inside the near post.
Leeds were swept along by the wave of white from the terraces and, with back-pedalling Norwich pulled out of shape, the home side raced into a two-goal lead in the 20th minute.
Willy Gnonto charged 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 fluffed his challenge on Josh Sargent, leaving the Norwich striker a clear run on goal, but his dinked effort was superbly saved by Illan Meslier.
After that let-off, Leeds were relentless. Piroe burst clear down the left far too easily and although Summerville slipped in his bid to latch on to the cross, the ball broke for Rutter, who lashed his far-post finish into the roof of the net.
Rutter was denied a second by Dimitrios Giannoulis' goal-line block in first-half stoppage time, with Norwich relieved to get off at the interval just three goals down.
It should have been 4-0 shortly after the restart when Piroe fired a first-time effort from in front of goal straight at Gunn, who saved again from both Summerville and Piroe soon after.
Leeds did not take their foot off the gas and were rewarded with a fourth goal through Summerville's low finish from Junior Firpo's cut-back, after Gunn had parried Gnonto's effort.
What's next?
Leeds will face either Southampton or West Brom in the Championship Playoff Final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, May 26th.
While Norwich will have to dust themselves down and hope that they can mount a more successful promotion campaign next season.
Leeds fans will have to wait until tomorrow night to see if they'll be facing Southampton or West Brom at Wembley, later this month.
It's currently 0-0 after the first leg between the teams from the South Coast and The West Midlands.