Key events
14 min “Wow,” says Peter Oh, “what a way for Leeds to get into the Gruev!”
13 min The corner is headed away at the near post.
13 min Giannoulis makes a good run down the left to win Norwich’s first corner. Before they take it, here’s that goal from Ilia Gruev.
11 min “The Farke arts meet Wagnerian drama,” exclaims Peter Oh. “What tension! The presence of Pierre Van Hooijdonk’s son on the Norwich bench could change the tenor of the match. A late flourish courtesy of the Sydney opera? Leeds exit stage left?”
10 min Norwich are in danger of being overwhelmed; they’ve had 19 per cent possession in the first 10 minutes. But Leeds will take nothing for granted, not after the horror of 2019.
8 min What a fine goal that was from Ilia Gruev. It’s the kind of goal Bernardo Silva would score, and there’s isn’t much higher praise than that when it comes to imaginative use of the left foot.
GOAL! Leeds 1-0 Norwich (Gruev 7)
Rodon marches forward in the inside-right channel and is flattened by Nunez, 30 yards from goal. It’s too wide for a shot so Gruev… scores! Everyone expected a cross, including the Norwich keeper Angus Gunn, but Gruev curled the ball round the one-man wall and inside the near post!
6 min After a good run infield by Summerville, Rutter’s shot from the edge of the area is blocked.
5 min A ball over the top almost bounces for Piroe in the area. Gunn springs from his line to claim at the second attempt. It’s all Leeds.
4 min: Chance for Leeds! Summerville plays a slick give-and-go with Rutter on the left edge of the area, moves inside and whips a shot over the bar from a tight angle. It wasn’t an easy finish, though he might have had options in the middle, I’m not sure.
2 min “Evening Rob!” writes Simon McMahon. “As you might expect, I have a bit of a thing for once great teams who burned brightly for a short while, enjoying success previously unseen at the club, when they were mixing it with the best both domestically and in Europe, maybe even winning the odd trophy. Glory days, as someone once sang. So good luck to both these clubs as they try to recreate some of that past glory tonight and book a trip to Wembley. Enjoy it while it lasts.”
I didn’t know you were a Dunfermline fan.
1 min Peep peep! Leeds kick off from left to right as we watch.
There’s a pulsating atmosphere at Elland Road; of course there is. Norwich’s centre-backs, Ben Gibson and Shane Duffy, are likely to see a lot of the ball in the first 10 minutes.
As does the Leeds manager Daniel Farke
[On his team selection] We want to be more attacking at home. It was also a bit forced because Sam Byram has a problem with his hip flexor. We trust Joel [Piroe] – he has scored many important goals for us.
Norwich are a brave side with technically good footballers in the middle. They have experienced strikers and we have to make sure we are compact and aggressive. We have to be spot on today.
We have a pretty good record when we go in the lead and scoring the first goal would make it easier from a tactical point of view. But the players know they have to be on it from the first to the last second.
Norwich manager David Wagner speaks
We know it will be decided tonight and we are prepared for all scenarios. It’s important we start well, stay in the game. If we are able to score the first goal it will be a massive boost.
[On Ashley Barnes] The medical department worked tirelessly. Barnesy is a tough guy and he was desperate to be involved. Josh Sargent’s ankle is fine; he was never a doubt.
Pre-match patter
Team news
Both teams make one change from the first leg at Carrow Road. Joel Piroe replaces Sam Byram in the Leeds side, which means Archie Gray will return to right-back. Norwich bring in the fit-again Ashley Barnes for Borja Sainz.
Leeds (4-2-3-1) Meslier; Gray, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Kamara, Gruev, Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville; Piroe.
Subs: Cresswell, Cooper, Anthony, Shackleton, James, Darlow, Gelhardt, Roberts,
Fernandez.
Norwich (possible 4-2-3-1) Gunn; Stacey, Duffy, Gibson, Giannoulis; Nunez, McLean; Sara, Barnes, Rowe; Sargent.
Subs: Hanley, Sainz, Long, van Hooijdonk, McCallum, Fassnacht, Sorensen, Batth, Fisher.
Referee Jarred Gillett (Australia)
Preamble
Hello and welcome to live, minute-by-minute coverage of the playoff semi-final second leg between Leeds and Norwich at Elland Road. The first leg at Carrow Road was goalless, so this is basically a standalone game. To the victor, belongs the spoils…
We all know what’s at stake; we don’t need no poetry. The winners will play Southampton or West Brom at Wembley a week on Sunday, the losers will wonder why they bothered with the last nine months.
Kick off 8pm.