Leeds fail to beat Norwich in Championship play-offs first leg clash

Leeds’ Championship play-off semi-final against Norwich is finely poised after a 0-0 draw in the first leg at Carrow Road yesterday.

Daniel Farke’s side are bidding for a quick return to the Premier League after last season’s relegation.

They were unable to take a significant step towards that target in a drab first leg in the Norfolk sunshine.

But Leeds will be favoured in the second leg in front of their vociferous fans at Elland Road on Thursday.

The winners will advance to the Wembley final against West Bromwich Albion or Southampton, who were set to meet in their first leg later yesterday.

Third-placed Leeds had finished the regular season with 90 points, 17 more than sixth-placed Norwich, who had been down in November 17 when many supporters wanted David Wagner sacked.

Wagner survived and the man who took Huddersfield up via the play-offs in 2017 found himself pitted in the 2024 version against fellow German Farke, who led Norwich to promotion as Championship winners in 2019 and 2021.

Leeds were without injured striker Bamford, while Norwich defender Shane Duffy started despite being charged with drink-driving earlier in the week.

Referee Josh Smith angered Leeds when he failed to award a penalty after Borja Sainz hauled Wilfried Gnonto to the ground.

Gnonto saw a drive blocked before Norwich striker Josh Sargent glanced a header wide at the other end.

The Canaries were on top and Gabriel Sara had a free-kick saved, but the sapping sun forced both teams to play at a slower tempo than they would have liked.

Norwich’s best chance came when Dimi Giannoulis crossed for Sara to strike just wide with a strong first-time effort.

Firpo and Crysencio Summerville tested Gunn at his near post as Leeds finished on the offensive.