CANARIES FIND THEIR VOICE!
Whites no match for Farke top guns
LIMP Leeds United failed to rise to the occasion as title rivals Norwich turned in a stupendous performance at a packed Elland Road. First and second at the start of the weekend, this was a showdown between the Championship’s two surprise packages – and two outstanding teams. In the event, however, it was a contest in name only. Norwich dominated from the outset, with a Marco Vrancic double and Teemu Pukki’s 21st of the campaign the least their devastating display deserved. “It was a big game, a lot of tension,” said Daniel Farke. “To deliver such a result and a performance with such a young side – I am very happy. “Our pressing was better. Our counter attacking was better. “We controlled the game. To do this in this atmosphere, when the home team is so aggressive, it is a great result. “The points for this game are the same as for all the other 45 games. But I would be lying if I said it was not a big moment. There is so much pressure in football that we should all enjoy the days like this.” Billed as Leeds’ biggest game in years, tickets sold out within 90 minutes. An already febrile atmosphere was further spiced by Norwich City’s leading role in a letter to the FA demanding sanctions over Spygate. Rarely in recent years has Elland Road sizzled like this. Yet if Leeds had hoped the visitors would shrivel in the heat, they were sadly mistaken. This, after all, is a side who have not lost on the road since August.
Just five minutes had elapsed when Pontus Jansson needlessly flattened Pukki on the edge of the box, allowing Vran-
cic to whip a deflected free-kick beyond the flailing Kiko Casilla.
Stunned if not silenced, the hordes roared for a response.
What they got was a somewhat helter-skelter barrage of wild shots and half-chances.
Ezgjan Alioski speared a beautiful volley inches wide. Adam Forshaw miscued from range. Pablo Hernandez, hooked at the break, lofted over with Tim Krul grounded.
Already guilty of a few mad moments, the Norwich keeper was lucky to stay on after careering into the onrushing Tyler Roberts. Redolent of the infamous clash between Harold Schumacher and Patrick Battiston in 1982, the challenge could well warrant further action from the FA.
Still, Norwich rarely looked rushed, their purpose and composure in stark contrast to the frenzied efforts of the men in white. The second goal was a case in point. Norwich bided their time, caught Forshaw then worked the ball to the impressive Marco Stiepermann. The German’s effort was blocked, the deflection fell to Pukki and, with Casilla prone, the Finn could not miss.
Kemar Roofe almost slalomed to an immediate riposte, but his shot was repelled by Krul and Leeds’ challenge withered.
Flummoxed and frustrated from the onset of a sobering second half, they never looked capable of seizing the initiative from a Canaries side that hummed with menace, expertly played through the lines and drew endless fouls with their trickery and pace.
By the time Vrancic bagged his second, poking home from a Hernandez cut-back, Elland Road was half empty. Those who left missed Patrick Bamford net a 91st-minute goal – but you could hardly even call it a consolation.
“Top of the league,” sang the home supporters. But not now. This was the Whites’ fourth dedawdling, feat in six games and a solid bid for the Premier League is now starting to creak.
“To lose four games out of six is something that we can’t ignore,” admitted Bielsa.
“All season, we have had difficulties to score goals.
“We were strong because we had a good defensive side but we have lost that. We are making avoidable mistakes – and usually the consequence is goals. It is something we must address.”