BIELSA’S BOTTLE GOES AS CANARIES PRESS ALL RIGHT BUTTONS TO LEAP

MARCELO BIELSA threw his water bottle and prowled the dug- out chuntering his dissatisfaction.

Was he asking if Leeds United’s promotion charge is falling apart?

Has January’s training ground spying row sent his side into a downward spiral?

Leeds were toppled from the summit of the Championship by a relentless, ruthless counterattacking performance by Daniel Farke’s Norwich.

While the Canaries look as if they are loving the pressure of a fight for automatic promotion, Leeds look frantic, disjointed and are losing their heads, and points.

Mario Vrancic opened the scoring and the prolific Teemu Pukki netted his 22nd goal in 35 games this season, to give Norwich a comfortable first-half lead.

It became a rout in the 77th minute when Vrancic added his second.

Patrick Bamford’s header in added time was merely a consolation.

Farke (right) said: “It fills me with unbelievable joy to be part of this group. It was a great per formance and great atmosphere.”

“We found the right mix to calm down at half-time and keep motivation. We fulfilled our plan unbelievably well.”

“It is important for our confidence to be able to perform at this level in such a game. Our trave l ling support was magnificent, you could always hear them sing. “

Defeating their main rivals could be a pivotal for Norwich. It will give them momentum while Bielsa ( far right) and Leeds need a rethink.

Norwich deserve their place at the top. They’ve lost only once in 18 league games but have drawn a few too many recently. So all credit to Farke’s men to go to Elland Road and win he way they did – with a mix of defensive bravery and blocks, coupled with some breathless bursts of attacking intensity as they committed men forward.

Leeds are still in a strong position, in second, and ahead of Sheffield United. But alarm bells are ringing.

A post Christmas wobble has left the favourites in a slump.

Since losing at home to Hull at the end of December they have lost four of their last six league games, more than in their previous 25 games.

They were rocked by Norwi ch’s high intensity, their hardrunning attacking game. The first half saw the two sides share 32 shots, such was the all- action mentality.

There won’t be many sides capable of roaring forward with positivity at Elland Road season. Norwich could sustain such effort in burst

Leeds created flashe attacking threat but sustained momentum.

Kemar Roofe had a lob dr wide and Mateusz Klich d just over, but it was all panicky.

Norwich exerted more co after the break, pinning Lee their own half.

Despite a rocking Elland sell-out atmosphere, the h side were one-down and falt after just five minutes.

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