Norwich draw first leg of their playoff semi-final against Leeds
Both teams came into this one in lacklustre form, with Norwich getting just two points from their last three games
Last updated 12th May 2024
Norwich have drawn the first leg of their championship play off match, against Leeds United.
It finished 0-0 between 'The Canaries' and 'The Whites', at Carrow Road.
Norwich had just short of 40% possession and seven shots, one of which was on target.
While Leeds had six attempts on goal, two of which called Angus Gunn into action.
Form coming into this one:
Both teams have been in lacklustre form, with Norwich getting just two points from their last three games, before this
While their opponents, led by former Canaries boss, Daniel Farke fell out of the automatic promotion spaces and into third, after recording back to back loses against Queens Park Rangers and Southampton.
The game in more detail:
It was a clash that was short on quality in the final third as neither goalkeeper found himself overworked, although Leeds had a goal ruled out before half-time.
The tie will be decided at Elland Road on Thursday night with both sets of supporters hoping for a bit more magic.
It was a frantic start with Marcelino Nunez's shot going out for a throw-in and Georginio Rutter missing his kick in front of goal at the other end.
Referee Josh Smith added to the raucous atmosphere for failing to award Leeds a penalty when Borja Sainz hauled Wilfried Gnonto to the ground right in front of the away section, possibly because he thought the Spaniard got a touch on the ball.
Gnonto saw a drive blocked before Josh Sargent glanced a header wide at the other end.
Norwich were on top as Gabriel Sara had a free-kick saved before Nunez was off-target again.
Junior Firpo had the ball in the Norwich net on the half-hour mark after Duffy poked it past his own goalkeeper, Angus Gunn, but Rutter had been flagged offside in the build-up.
The sapping sun saw the tempo slow, with Gnonto booked just before the break for some sarcastic clapping of a decision that went against him.
Duffy was cautioned early in the second period for a crude challenge on Crysencio Summerville, who had hardly been in the game, and Norwich's best chance in a while followed when Dimi Giannoulis crossed for Sara to strike just wide with a first-time effort. Giannoulis was then booked for fouling Gnonto.
Firpo and Summerville tested Gunn at his near post but play stopped when Sainz caught Gnonto on the head with a boot.
Both sides made changes, including attacking ones, but no clear chances and therefore no goals followed.
What's next?
David Wagner's men will travel to Elland Road in West Yorkshire on Thursday night for the return fixture.
The other championship semi-final is between Southampton and West Bromwich Albion F.C.
The winner of these two-legged affair will battle it out at Wembley Stadium on May 26th (Saturday), with the winner joining Leicester City and Ipswich Town in the Premier League next season.