Leeds 4 – 0 Norwich

Leeds cruised via to the Sky Guess Championship play-off ultimate as they thumped Norwich 4-0 within the second leg of their semi-final.

After a goalless draw at Carrow Highway on Sunday, Leeds blew their opponents away in Thursday evening’s return tie at house at Elland Highway, reserving their spot at Wembley.

First-half targets from Ilia Gruev, Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter set them effectively on their manner, whereas Crysencio Summerville added to the rout after the break.

They’ll face Southampton or West Brom for a spot in subsequent season’s Premier League on Sunday Might 26.

Leeds excel on the large event to edge nearer to PL return

It was the right nerve-settling begin from Leeds. Simply seven minutes in they usually have been in entrance, as Gruev’s sensible, quickly-taken free-kick, fully evaded Angus Gunn within the Norwich purpose. He had been anticipating a cross and was wrong-footed, seeing the ball sneak in on the close to put up from 25 yards.

After 20 minutes they doubled their benefit. Once more, Gunn wouldn’t have been completely happy along with his position in it, failing to behave decisively to assert Wilfried Gnonto’s cross, permitting Piroe to get his head on the ball and discover the again of the online.

Norwich ought to have been again in it two minutes later as Ethan Ampadu’s slip allowed Josh Sargent in on purpose. The striker has been so medical all season, however on this event he was denied by the onrushing Illan Meslier, who made himself large to make the save.

And the Canaries would remorse that miss much more on 41 minutes as Summerville teed up Rutter, who thundered in a 3rd for Leeds off the underside of the crossbar.

It went from dangerous to worse at first of the second half for Norwich as Sargent, their key No 9, was compelled off with damage. And it become an additional nightmare, and a Leeds dream, as Summerville made it 4, slotting in from shut vary after Gunn had palmed Junior Firpo’s cross into his path.

A magic evening for Leeds: All of the targets

The second leg: In numbers

Sixth time fortunate? Will Leeds lastly finish their play-off hoodoo?

Sky Sports activities’ EFL editor Simeon Gholam:

“Any fears of a play-off semi-final nightmare just like the one they confronted in opposition to Derby 5 years in the past have been rapidly dispelled at Elland Highway.

“Leeds went for the jugular early on, and barely let up. They merely blew Norwich away with a bombastic first half. It was amongst their greatest performances of the season, and it got here on the excellent time.

“Will they go on to Wembley and take an additional step now? Their document suggests no. However historical past is there to be modified, and dangerous information are there to be damaged.

“In the event that they play something like they did on Thursday evening on the nationwide stadium, nobody will have the ability to deal with them.”

Leeds have appeared within the EFL play-offs 5 occasions beforehand and have did not seal promotion on any event.

• 1986/87 – misplaced in Division Two (now Championship) ultimate over two legs to Charlton Athletic. This was earlier than the ultimate was performed as a one-off a Wembley.
• 2005/06 – misplaced in Championship ultimate to Watford 3-0 on the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
• 2007/08 – misplaced in League One ultimate to Doncaster at Wembley.
• 2008/09 – misplaced in League One semi-finals to Millwall.
• 2018/19 – misplaced in Championship semi-finals to Derby County.
• 2023/24 – into Championship ultimate at Wembley

What’s subsequent?

Leeds advance to the Sky Guess Championship play-off ultimate, the place they’ll face West Brom or Southampton at Wembley on Sunday Might 26, reside on Sky Sports activities Soccer.

Norwich will stay within the second tier for the 2024/25 marketing campaign.