22nd January 2025. EFL Championship.
I had a feeling this game against the Canaries would be very similar to the weekend encounter with the Owls, and so it proved to be, very similar, even down to the very early goal from Manor Solomon! This one was a slick, quick move down the Leeds right – Aaronson, inside to Bogle, back heel back to Aaronson, push forward to Dan James and a cross to the front post, all one-touch neat football. Manor finished it perfectly into the roof of the net with barely 30 seconds on the clock – the fastest Championship goal of the season so far.
Norwich at least tried to play the game in a more positive manner than Wednesday did, but they were just as lack lustre as our Yorkshire neighbours proved to be. This was perhaps a more efficient win for Leeds – very similar to many of our previous home wins this season and by our most popular score of 2 – 0. They will soon be calling us “Leeds United 2”.
Unlike the game with the Owls, where we allowed them several half chances, tonight we were far more solid defensively and gave up only three sights on our goal all night, none of which Norwich were able to direct on target. Hence Illan Meslier got away lightly again to record another clean sheet; a couple of corners punched away and the odd catch being the sum total of his work. Since his blooper at Hull he really hasn’t had chance to show us if it’s affected him or not. For our part, we had 14 attempts of which half hit the target. From a Norwich perspective it was similar to their game at Bramall Lane at the weekend which also finished 2 – 0, although, perhaps encouragingly for Leeds who still have to visit there, the Blades allowed Norwich 10 shots, albeit, again none hit the target!
Leeds went close a few times before the crucial second goal but Norwich keeper Angus Gunn was on good form and denied Joel Piroe a couple of times including a fine diving save in the second half down at the foot of a post and a first half Jayden Bogle volley he pushed away.
The killer goal came in the 65th minute and was largely due to more excellent work from Manor Solomon. He worked his way down the left after a sprint from Junior Firpo and then Firpo cut inside to collect the return. His looping cross was met by a stretching Dan James, sending the ball back across goal where a Norwich defender, for reasons known only to himself, headed the ball back to Solomon from the byline, a ball that looked to be going out! This time Manor picked out James again at the back post and Dan finished with a neat low volley.
Leeds made changes – earlier than usual - to bring on Firpo and Gruev for Byram and Ao Tanaka and of course Firpo was instrumental in the second goal. After that, Dan James and Manor Solomon were taken off, presumably saving their energy for the big game at Burnley next Monday. Largie Ramazani and Willy Gnonto replaced them and then later Josuha Guilavogui replaced Joe Rothwell. Leeds had other half-chances – a long range Jayden Bogle pile driver well saved, a rasping Ramazani shot pushed around the post, and a glancing Joel Piroe header that just eluded Josuha at the back post – but the game ended with Leeds comfortable winners. Only Norwich keeper Angus Gunn could take much credit for the Canaries.
For Leeds it was a good all round display with Dan James probably just shading the MOTM accolade for me but with fine performances from Solomon, Bogle, James, Tanaka, Rothwell and Ampadu. Largie Ramazani too, when he came on and Junior Firpo looked lively too. We look in good shape for that crucial game at Turf Moor on Monday night although they limbered up for it well too, with a 5 – 0 thrashing of Plymouth tonight.
There are only four decent sides in the Championship this year, just as there were last season. This time though none of the four has broken away from the pack as yet and it looks like a case of who blinks first. Let’s hope it’s not us. We owe Burnley one for the way they nicked the game at Elland Road after that untimely slip by Manor Solomon. Come on football gods, lend us a hand for once!
Looking at the remaining fixtures, Leeds undoubtedly have the toughest run in of the four with games at Burnley and Bramall Lane and a visit to Elland Road for Sunderland. Those three games plus the Burnley v Sheffield United clash on 21st April look likely to define our season and whether it is to be those damn playoffs again or a more serene automatic journey to the Prem. So, of the four remaining games between the top four, we feature in three of them! Fingers crossed.
Sky Bet Championship
Leeds United 2 (Solomon 1’, James 65’)
Norwich City 0
Leeds: Meslier (GK), Bogle, Ampadu (C), Rodon, James (Gnonto 74’), Rothwell (Guilavogui 89'), Piroe, Aaronson, Solomon (Ramazani 74’), Tanaka (Gruev 54’), Byram (Firpo 54’). Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Joseph, Schmidt, Wober.
Norwich: Gunn (GK), Stacey, Duffy, Doyle, Marcondes, Chrisene (Mahovo 72’), Dobbin (Hills 90'), McLean (C), Hernandez (Crnac 59’), Schwartau (Sargent 59’), Fisher (Myles 72’). Subs not used: Long (GK), Djedje, Aboh, Warner.
Venue: Elland Road
Attendance: 35,157 (954 away)
Referee: Matthew Donohue
Booked: Tanaka, Byram, Rothwell, Piroe (Leeds) Fisher (Norwich)