Report: Norwich City 0-0 Leeds United | OneFootball

Goalless after the first leg.

Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs

Norwich City 0

Leeds United 0

Norwich: Gunn (GK), Stacey, Gibson, Sainz, Sargent (van Hooijdonk 84’), Sara, McLean (C), Duffy, Nunez, Rowe (Fassnacht 60’), Giannoulis (McCallum 75’). Subs not used: Long (GK), Hanley, Sorensen, Batth, Fisher, Welch.

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Firpo, Ampadu (C), Kamara, Summerville (James 87’), Rodon, Gray, Georginio (Piroe 70’), Byram, Gnonto (Anthony 70’), Gruev. Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Cresswell, Cooper, Shackleton, Roberts, Joseph.

Venue: Carrow Road

Attendance: 26,982 (1,959)

Referee: Josh Smith

Booked: Duffy, Giannoulis, Fassnacht (Norwich) Gnonto (Leeds)

Leeds United travelled away from home in the first leg of the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off semi-final, to take on Norwich City.

In an electric atmosphere at Carrow Road, the opening 10 minutes saw both teams settling on the ball and working one another out.

The only early moment of note came from Willy Gnonto who appeared to be brought down in the box, but nothing was awarded.

From a set-play which was given, Crysencio Summerville’s strike was turned behind for a corner, which fell to the edge of the box. Gnonto connected superbly with the loose ball but saw his goal bound effort blocked and cleared.

Norwich’s first time testing Illan Meslier came from a free-kick of their own. Gabriel Sara had the shooting opportunity and he beat the wall, but the United number one comfortably dealt with it.

Around the 30 minute mark in the game, Leeds had the ball in the net, but the offside flag went up. Georginio Rutter raced in behind and a mix up in the Norwich defence saw Junior Firpo turn the ball home, but the flag had been raised against Georginio.

The first half as a whole was a battling display with both teams looking to go forward. Leeds had controlled a large share of the possession, but overall, chances were limited at either end.

When the whistle sounded for the break, the game was still goalless as each side returned to their dressing room at a sun-soaked Carrow Road.

HALF TIME: Norwich City 0-0 Leeds United

Back out for the second half in East Anglia in front of a crowd with 26,982 watching, neither side had made a change to their XI’s which had started the match.

The first opening after the restart came for Norwich. Sara was in space on the edge of the box but he struck well wide.

Defensively, the hosts also picked up two early second half bookings for Shane Duffy and Dimitris Giannoulis, after late challenges on Summerville and Gnonto.

Leeds then had a big opening down the other end. Glen Kamara and Firpo linked up well to make an opportunity for Summerville, who saw Angus Gunn save well at the near post from his strike at goal.

With 20 minutes to play, it was Daniel Farke who went to his bench to make changes. Jaidon Anthony and Joel Piroe entered the attack, replacing Georginio and Gnonto.

Two more efforts came from Leeds as we entered the final 10 minutes. Archie Gray had the first which was blocked behind for a corner, before moments later Anthony forced another save from Gunn.

Despite the best efforts of both teams, no goals arrived in the match. The full-time whistle sounded and ended a hard-fought first leg, leaving everything to play for at Elland Road on Thursday.

FULL TIME: Norwich City 0-0 Leeds United