This was a must win but must not lose type of game for Leeds United. It was a 6 pointer at the bottom of the table as both Leeds and Norwich are in relegation trouble. Leeds haven’t scored in their last three games or won since January 16th, and Norwich only score a couple of goals per game, so how would this game go?
It was at an atmospheric but nervy Elland Road.
After two minutes, James drove at defence but lost the ball.
Three minutes later, Ayling fired a lovely ball for James down right, and out for a corner which was poor.
Two minutes later, Rashica went down in area after James’ challenge but ref ignored the pleas for a penalty.
1st Leeds goal- Massive first goal for Leeds
Just before the quarter hour, a long ball was poorly headed away by Norwich, fell kindly for Rodrigo who hit it first time with his right foot and found the bottom corner, ball took a deflection off Gibson on the way through, it was a massive goal for Leeds but Norwich weren’t happy as they felt Bamford was offside but he didn’t challenge for the ball so didn’t matter.
After 21 minutes, Raphinha’s flick fed Dallas on the left, his cross tried to find Raphinha in middle of area but miskicked it.
Four minutes later, Ayling tackled Rashica and got booked, VAR were checking for a possible red card but it stayed as yellow.
Just before the half hour, Bamford crossed and Raphinha hit the bar from close range, Struijk then had a massive chance from corner, his 1st effort straight at him just a few yards out but skied it.
After 34 minutes, Struijk’s header was tame and straight at Krul. A minute later, a half chance for Norwich as Rupp’s shot on edge of area but his left footed shot was wayward.
Four minutes later, Rashica’s freekick went over the bar, then a minute later, a Leeds penalty appeal as James felt he was brought down by Williams, no penalty, but James had a chance to shoot on his right, but took too much time and came inside on his left and chance had gone.
Then Bamford shot over the bar.
The last chance of the 1st half after 43 minutes as Ayling’s cross into Krul’s arms, then Raphinha won the ball back in a dangerous area and fed Bamford who only had Krul to beat, side effort went wide of the goal, perhaps rustiness having been out so long.
Halftime score: Leeds United 1-0 Norwich City
A much better 1st half from Leeds than against Aston Villa, created a number of chances but only had the 1, could they find more goals in the 2nd half?
After 47 minutes, Norwich freekick crossed dangerously into box but no Norwich player there.
Disallowed Leeds goalÂ
Five minutes later, Leeds thought they’d got a 2nd as James wept in rebound after Krul saved well from Raphinha but offside.
After 56 minutes, Dallas crossed ball into box from left hand side but James not able to meet it.
Just after the hour, James shot from edge of area but Krul made a diving save. A couple of minutes later, Rowe’s shot easily saved by Meslier.
With 20 minutes left, Norwich’s 1st real attack but was offside shot as Rowe’s left footed shot smashed off the bar.
Norwich penalty or was it?
After 75 minutes, Ayling was judged to have brought Rashica down in the area, the referee pointed to the spot but VAR checked and told the ref to go over to the monitor which he eventually did after Norwich players were in his face, but the referee overturned his decision and no penalty, and on the replay if anything it looked like Rashica stood on Ayling.
After 80 minutes, Williams drove into the box but then James broke and won a corner, Leeds won a freekick from the corner, Raphinha took and got it over the wall but hit the bar.
Seven minutes later, Leeds broke but James judged to have fouled off the ball as Klich prepared to shoot.
Norwich equaliser-Heartbreak for Leeds
Late drama as in the 1st minute of stoppage time, Pukki hit bouncing ball across goal to find McLean who scored from close range and the air went out of Elland Road, would there be any more late drama?
2nd Leeds goal- Incredible scenes as Gelhardt scored the winner
In the 4th minute of stoppage time, there WAS more drama as Gelhardt won a flick on, which set Raphinha away, went round Krul but too wide to score, did a blind cutback for Gelhardt who slotted home and Elland Road went absolutely mental, there were some fans who got near the side of the pitch, others were just jumping up and down, I think people’s heart rate went sky high and mine probably to about 150 plus, it was an incredible end.
Fulltime score: Leeds United 2-1 Norwich City
Wow what an incredible ending at Elland Road, as Jesse Marsch gets his 1st win as Leeds boss in the most astonishing end.
Leeds stayed 16th but moved onto 26 points, and with a combination of them winning and Everton losing, it means Leeds have a 4 point gap between themselves, Everton and Watford now at the bottom.
Highlights of this incredible ending are at this link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMrUaMCsVtw
Next for Leeds is a away trip to the Midlands to face Wolves at Molineux on Friday 18th March 2022 with a 8pm kickoff on Sky Sports.
