Match Report – Leeds United 2 – 1 Norwich City
October 20, 2009 in Match Report, Norwich City FC by Nelson's Revenge
Having heard how fantastic the Leeds supporters are, how they are nailed on candidates to return to the Championship at the end of the season and how the ‘Mighty Whites’ are head and shoulders above Norwich both in terms of footballing capability and attendance figures, it was with great derision that I was able to watch Paul Lambert’s side play ‘Super Leeds’ off the park last evening.
In terms of attendance, you can argue that it was a Monday night game and was also being shown live on SKY, but as Norwich’s attendance has not yet fallen below the 23000 mark for a league game this season, it was a joy to behold so many of Leeds fantastic support actually turn up for the game.
All I can say is that its a good job that Norwich took some supporters with them, otherwise those gaps in the stand would have looked even more ridiculous, or perhaps its the fact that many Leeds supporters have realised that their team aren’t all they are cracked up to be?
And Lambert’s side proved that over and over again last night, as the ‘Mighty Whites’ were dominated out of the majority of the game and reverted to ‘hoof-ball’, totally bypassing their midfield.
Unfortunately though, for all City’s domination, the Canaries headed away from Yorkshire having lost out to Simon Grayson’s side, with Jermaine Beckford capitalising on a poor goal kick from Fraser Forster in injury time.
But that was the only way that Leeds were ever going to win this match, played off the park by the team in Yellow in Green they had to be ‘gifted’ their winner in injury time, and had City made more of their chances then ‘Super Leeds’ would have been dead an buried by half time.
Stephen Hughes won a recall to the City midfield, replacing Korey Smith who was suffering from a thigh strain, in one of two changes from the City team that won at Carlisle nine days ago, the other seeing Jon Otsemobor returning at right back having missed four matches with a hamstring injury.
Manager Paul Lambert also included midfielder Matthew Gill in his squad for the first time in two months as one of his seven substitutes.
Leeds included striker Sam Vokes, signed on loan from Wolves, and had two ex-Canaries in the starting eleven with Andy Hughes and former loan defender Leigh Bromby playing in the back four.
It was an eventful first period, with Richard Naylor being booked for crashing into the back of Wes Hoolahan in the opening minutes, although Naylor came off worse from the incident and had to leave the field for attention to improve his facial features whilst the hosts played on with 10 men.
The Whites took an undeserved lead in the 15th minute with their first meaningful effort after Bradley Johnson headed in a Robert Snodgrass corner.
Grant Holt got City back on level terms with seven minutes of the half remaining, after finding himself on the end of Simon Lappin cross he slotted home his 10th goal of the season.
City had chances to extend their lead as they dominated much of the second half, and at times looked a class above Grayson’s side with their invention and movement, and the Yorkshire club could only stand and watch as Lambert’s side knocked the ball around with ease.
Forster made two excellent saves late on to keep City on level terms before his late error gifted the Yorkshire side to a victory that they truly did not deserve.
On last night’s showing I wouldn’t have any doubts on City being there or there about come next May. Lambert has got his side playing good passing football, who appear to fear no one and who will wipe the floor with much of the opposition that they come up against this season.
Leeds play poor, Norwich play well. Leeds with 5 or 6 injuries and still Leeds WIN. As for the attendance lets compare after the season has ended shall we.
Rose coloured specs or what, get a life, Yellow is the colour of failure…………………………
After reading the first paragraph it is tediously obvious what drivel is being served up next. Undeserved undeserved… Blah blah blah, Leeds had many more chances than taking advantage of the worse than useless goal kick at the end. Norwich played really well and are the best side to visit Elland road this season, but…. they lost because they didn’t score as many goals as Leeds and the last time I looked scoring goals is an important part of winning games. You can play attractive passing football with lots of possession but if you don’t convert it into goals what do you expect. You cant win just because you look good.
As a Leeds fan I agree with a lot of what you said about City looking the better side. However, in all honesty, looking back now, Ankergren was not actualy troubled too much in terms of chances on goal.
But the reason I am compelled to write is to point out that you are sounding a little bitter in your writing, much like Swansea City of two yars ago and one or two other L1 teams. There really is no need to try and pick on anything you can to try to demean Leeds Utd and their fans. See it as it is, City and Leeds, two Premiership sized clubs both trying to get back up there, without the bitter taste to your report.
Oh dear, does it hurt that much? Norwich played some of the best keep ball passing I’ve seen at this level but, as we have found out, it’s about getting the result and getting out of the division. You were found wanting in the final third where our defence, whilst never comfortable, did enough to keep you away from clear scoring opportunities especially in the second half. With much less of the ball Leeds managed to create several chances and Beck’s shouldn’t have needed the help from your keeper at the end.
Try and take defeat better and don’t be so bitter.
A slightly one-sided view, methinks …..
Yes, Norwich played some good football – probably the best side I’ve seen at Leeds in 2-and-a-bit seasons in L1. But for all that, after we’d “gifted” you a couple of good chances in the first 15 minutes through some sloppy defending, you really didn’t convert the possession or the pressure into clear-cut opportunities.
As for “that was the only way Leeds were ever going to win this match”, you do seem to have overlooked Beckford’s two great chances in the 10 minutes before the winning goal. A more consistent striker would have had at least one of them – possibly both.
The crowd? Hear what you say, but if you’re still in L1 in 2 years (unlikely, on last night’s performance) you’ll see your attendances slipping as we have.
Overall, I thought Norwich looked great going forward, but slightly suspect at the back – and as Gary McAllister will tell you, flowing, attacking football gets undermined if you can’t defend properly. But I’ll still be surprised if you’re not in the top 2 at the end of the season …..
While you are justified in saying Norwich were the better team on the night, Leeds were poor by their standards. However, this match report is poor as Leeds had several chances to score and Beckford could have had a hat rick last night. Your Goalkeeper had some excellent saves and Beckford had a few near misses. I’m sure
I agree with your point about the attendance. I expected 24,000 to be there last night despite the televised coverage and being a Monday night fixture.
I thought the referee and one of the linesmen were appalling. They favoured Norwich over Leeds. The free kick that lead to your goal was a 50/50 tussle and definitely not a free kick!
Finally, yes Leeds were lucky to win the game, but it’s about time we had a bit of luck as we seem to be one of the unluckiest teams around. Look forward to seeing Leeds play Norwich in the 2nd Division (Championship League) next year.
You boys in yellow might have had a lot of the posession but Leeds had by far and away the better chances. How many times did Leeds’ keeper have to make a save in the 2nd half? Once!! Thats all. If it hadn’t been for your keeper it could have been 2 or 3 – 1 before his howler. Footballs not just about posession and pretty passing it about taking your chances and the canaries just didn’t do that last night because Leeds just didn’t let you. Thats why they’ll be at the top come the end of the season and you’ll be in the play offs.
Doesn’t matter what you or your blinkered manager thinks, who took 3 points? MOT
Interesting comments and agree with the post overall! And if it hadn’t been for the ‘gift’ it would have been a draw at the end of the night.
You talk about the amount of Leeds chances, but I didn’t realise that shots on goal include those that nearly take the corner flag out?
Probably is slightly biased – but that’s why its on a Norwich City blog site? But then no more short sighted than this pile of drivel ….
http://www.bettingzone.co.uk/football/betting/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=betting/09/10/19/manual_113311.html
With ‘columns’ like that its no wonder that Leeds are disliked so much.
BTW – Question for ‘Super Leeds’ – Isn’t your away kit yellow?
Before the game I expected us to come away with a draw. Although Leeds didn’t play well we struggled to create any clear cut chances. Nice,pretty football needs to be capitalized on and unfortuantly we couldn’t. Like I said at the start a draw would have been a fair result. Feel sorry for Forster, some good saves, but his kicking was a little suspect all evening. We’ll be going up with the Leeds. One last comment on the crowd…our support was immense…keep in up City…OTBC
Leeds top 30 points (with a game in hand) norwich 19 points
Well done you played your best game of the season but created one chance of note in the second half and lost
“And Lambert’s side proved that over and over again last night, as the ‘Mighty Whites’ were dominated out of the majority of the game and reverted to ‘hoof-ball’, totally bypassing their midfield” It just was not good enough to get anything from SUPER LEEDS.
P.S what a bitter post.
Lamberts Green and Yellow Army – that linked article is written by a Man City fan – why have a go at Leeds because of a Journo’s article?
should,could and would are the most common used summaries in footballing blogs,the truth is that the way to win games is to score one more goal than the opposition,Leeds did that last night. Yes Norwich,could have won,should have drawn,and would have if the goalkeeper had not made a blunder. As we know, non of those events took place and Leeds took the points. Just accept that and you will be a happier person,be satisfied that the game was settled by a single last minute goal that decided it.Kindest regards and the Knowledge that you are going to be up there at the end of the season,and that we have got to visit yours in between
Forgive me if I’m wrong – but isn’t your away kit YELLOW?
Of course it’s one sided – it’s on a Norwich City blog?!?
Maybe it’s because of the style of articles like the one highlighted, whoever the author maybe, that Leeds are so disliked.
It’s not so long ago that Leeds were more hated than Man. Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal all put togethor.
And whilst it maybe written by a MCFC supporter, it merely mirrors the arrogance of so many Leeds fans, arrogance which you don’t like when the shoe is on the other foot, as the response to this article excellently highlights!