Key events
I enjoyed this interview, though it’s not a football one – and not just because Lewis managed to insert his favourite phrase, “pugilist specialist”.
Imagine being this likeable.
At Wembley, Spurs are in white suits. They’d better win, lest they become forever known as the Spice Girls.
I guess I fancy Southampton to see off West Brom in the other semi, but like Norwich and Leeds, neither side finished their league campaign in decent form. Though both sides lost three of their last four games, Saints extra class should be enough, especially given they are at home second, again with the advantage of a nighttime kickoff.
Elsewhere:
Kenny McLean notes that first legs are usually cagey and thinks Norwich can play much better, especially with the ball. He accepts that his team have missed an opportunity but also thinks they can get at Leeds come Thursday.
I said at the start that Norwich getting their home game as a lunchtime kick-off and in the heat, relative to Leeds playing a night match at Elland Road, might be key in this tie; I still think that now.
FULL TIME: Norwich City 0-0 Leeds United
Leeds will be the happier with that, the more controlled side with the greater firepower returning home needing just a win to reach Wembley. But Norwich will fancy themselves too, their attacking edge more than enough to nick a goal or two if they defend well.
90+3 min So how do these sides approach the second leg? I guess Leeds will go for it, on the basis that even if they get caught once, they’d expect to score at least twice, while Norwich sit deep and seek counters. It’s going to be a nervous night at Elland Road.
90+1 min Don Goodman declares Marcelino Núñez player of the match; personally I’d have gone for RON, re-open nominations.
90 min We’ll have four additional minutes.
90 min James battles through Nunez, who loses control of the ball, swinging over a decent cross that none of his mates has the gas or gumption to attack.
88 min And here comes James, replacing Summerville. I’m a little surprised at that change, the new man most useful with the game stretched – which it isn’t – with the one he’s replacing more likely to conjure a winner against a narrow, disciplined defence – which is required.
86 min On the touchline, Dan James readies himself to come on while, on the pitch, the aforementioned Kamara fouls Sara … who’s free-kick drifts behind.
84 min “It’s surely only a matter of time before the football authorities introduce a reality TV element to the play-offs,” predicts Simon McMahon. “Maybe a public vote in the event of a draw, with the losing team being told, in best Chef Ramsay style, to hand in their boots and get the expletive out of the stadium. A sure-fire ratings winner, don’t you think?”
I’m pay good money to see what happened if he put slices of break on Kamara’s cheeks then advised him that he’s an idiot sandwich.
82 min Oh man, potential bad news for Norwich: Sargent is down and doesn’t look happy. I think that’ll be him done for today, and Wagner will hope it’s nothing too serious. He’s replaced by Sydney van Hooijdonk – son of Pierre.
81 min It feels like the second half has been a preview of the second leg: Leeds pushing, Norwich hoping for a counter, and when Summerville and Gray link nicely, the latter’s shot is blocked behind. Then, when the corner reaches Anthony, has has time to make an angle for a curler before sending it straight into Gunn’s midriff.
79 min Leeds have their full-backs high and wide now, Gruev switching play and Byram finding Anthony, whose cross is blocked behind for a corner. It’s a while since Norwich mustered any kind of attack, and though the get the corner away, they remain boxed until someone scythes aimlessly clear.
76 min Kamara is starting to dictate the tempo here, lending the ball out before taking it back. Leeds will be wondering if they can snaffle a win here, which might just offer opportunity to Norwich. But as I type, the visitors win a free-kick down the right, plenty of men on the edge as Gray swerves in … and Byram’s attempted scorpion kick – no that is not a misprint – sends the ball behind.
75 min Wagner knows he has to act and does, replacing Giannoulis with McCallum.
74 min Leeds are dictating the pace of the game now, Norwich hoping to hit them on the counter. Much as they want to win this, they now they can’t afford a defeat, hence their circumspection.
73 min It’s hot out there and that’s beginning to tell on the pitch, the game slowing a little. Norwich are struggling to find space now as Leeds seek to close spaces, not unhappy with the status quo.
71 min It’s a double-change for Leeds, Anthony and Piroe for Rutter and Gnonto. I wondered if the latter might be left on given his ability to create out of nowt, but the same is so of Summerville so he’s left to try and make that happen, now with the help of a proper centre-forward alongside him.
69 min And he tries the wobble-ball effect, a deflection off the wall earning a corner; Leeds see it away.
68 min Nice from Sara, sensing Makara behind him and flicking around the corner, wearing the inevitable foul. Free-kick Norwich, 30 yards out, left of centre; can they put Meslier under pressure? McLean looks reads to have a shot…
67 min Farke has Piroe ready to come on; I imagine it’ll be Rutter who makes way.
66 min No, not like that. Grow up.
65 min But Norwich are surging agani, a cross grom the left just too strong for Sargent then, at the back post, Fassnacht’s poor first touch means Leeds counter. So Fassnacht hauls Gnonto back, is booked, then Stacey momentarily loses the run of himself, unimpressed with Summerville’s tackle on him.
64 min Giannoulis, who’s been a decent outlet down the left, crosses for Sargent, but the ball is at an awkward height and leaves his teammates bereft of options, so Leeds clear.
63 min Gnonto is down, by the way, having been caught by a stray book that draws blood. He’ll be fine.
63 min Also going on:
62 min “I’m with you on the Meslier thing,” says Jeremy Boyce. “He still looks as though he isn’t old enough to shave yet, but you’d have thought he’d have no nerves left to shred. He was El Loco Bielsa’s choice for the playing-it-out style that we all loved, and he really was was very young. He took it on and was great, shame to see his confidence shot for now.”
61 min Change for Norwich, Rowe – who’s returned well – replaced by Fassnacht.
59 min The corner comes to nowt but Leeds are coming, Gray sending them forward with a clever pass. Then Kamara – increasingly influential – drives into the box, a bun touch from Byram when he might’ve shot looking to end the attack. But Leeds try again, Gray cutting back for Byram, who this time misses his kick. The visitors are the better side now.
58 min Gnonto, who’s been quiet weaves into the box daring someone to challenge him, but Norwich keep patience well, then a poor header from Duffy allows Summerville to sashay into the box, his near-post shot turned behind.
57 min Leeds make room for Firpo down the left, Kamara and Summerville patiently working the space, but the low cross is easily fielded by Gunn at his near post.
56 min I wondered when Farke might send Piroe on, but I think there could be a roll for the fit-again Daniel James too, as the game gets stretched and Norwich look for an advantage to take to Leeds.
54 min Giannoulis goes in late on Gnonto, accidentally brushing studs across torso in the process, and he’s booked.
53 min Now then! Giannoulis makes a run down the left – he’s done that a lot today – but this he’s found, controls, and cuts back for Sainz, arriving on the burst. But the pass it a little behind him and, retrieving it, he can only send his shot arcing wide of the near post.
53 min It’s been a slow start to the second half; Leeds will be happy with that, Norwich – who you feel need to win today – less so.
51 min Duffy launches in on Summerville from behind, autographing his calf and, when play stops, he’s booked,
50 min Again, Leeds keep the ball, before Meslier again inepts into touch. I feel for him, because with 50 minutes gone he’s still not settled.
49 min Excellent from Rowe, carrying the ball through midfield then making space with a clever shop, sending Sainz in behind … but Byram, at full stretch, slides in to make a crucial challenge.
49 min Leeds really struggled to get Gray on the ball first half and I wonder if his future is a bit deeper, as a schemer rather than a creator.
47 min I don’t think it’ll be too long before Farke sends on Piroe, if his team continue struggling to build and sustain attacks. But for now, it’s as you were.
46 min We go again, learning that Leeds’ 90 points is the most – pro rata, including when it was two for a win – for a team not promoted since Hull in 1910.
