How the national media responded to Leeds United’s goalless draw with Norwich City in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-finals.
Leeds United drew 0-0 with Norwich City in the opening leg of the Championship play-off semi-finals. Both teams struggled to produce clear-cut chances at Carrow Road due to the hot weather.
The second leg of the tie will take place on Thursday at Elland Road, with a kickoff time of 8pm. A trip to Wembley Stadium for the showpiece final is up for grabs.
Here’s what the national media said about United’s match in East Anglia.
Daily Mirror, Mike Walters
Daniel Farke greeted Hollywood star Will Ferrell’s major investment in Leeds with a traditional Elf ‘n’ Safety presentation.
Goalless scuffles with £200 million in promotion money on the line are rarely captivating entertainment, but a classic shutout on his former home turf at Norwich in the Championship play-off semi-final was music to Farke’s ears and eyes.
With Ferrell, who played the lead part in the classic Christmas film Elf, on his way to the boardroom at Elland Road, Leeds will be favourites to win Wembley. However, Farke is not yet yelling the odds. The city that gave us rock icons the Kaiser Chiefs has also given us football’s Khasi Chiefs – because so many aspirations have fallen through.
Leeds have never been promoted from the play-offs, having lost two finals (to Watford and Doncaster), two semi-finals (to Millwall and Derby), and the first high-wire joust with Charlton 37 years ago.
Farke, who has previously led Norwich to the Championship title, was enthusiastically cheered by both sets of fans following a barren first leg.
The Telegraph: Jon West
Daniel Farke chastised the match officials for disallowing a Leeds goal that he believed should have stood, claiming that if VAR had been utilized in the Championship this season, his team would have already been promoted to the Premier League.
Leeds, who were demoted last year, are the favourites to advance to Wembley Stadium after a play-off semi-final first-leg draw that lacked quality and clear-cut chances.
In the 30th minute, Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn and centre-back Shane Duffy made a mistake, allowing Junior Firpo to score.
Referee Josh Smith threw it out due to a raised flag against Georginio Rutter in the build-up, despite television replays indicating it was a correct, but borderline, call. Farke, who led Norwich to Premier League promotions in 2019 and 2021 before being fired, believed alternative technology proved differently.
Leeds, who were demoted last year, are the favourites to advance to Wembley Stadium after a play-off semi-final first-leg draw that lacked quality and clear-cut chances.
In the 30th minute, Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn and centre-back Shane Duffy made a mistake, allowing Junior Firpo to score.
Referee Josh Smith threw it out due to a raised flag against Georginio Rutter in the build-up, despite television replays indicating it was a correct, but borderline, call. Farke, who led Norwich to Premier League promotions in 2019 and 2021 before being fired, believed alternative technology proved differently.
“Someone told me that Sky showed a picture they said was proof it was offside,” he explained. “I propose that everyone have a look at the scouting feed, where you have a proper line. It wasn’t offside.
The Sun – Justin Allen
Daniel Farke will be the happiest manager as Leeds equalise with their previous club Norwich at Elland Road. The Championship play-off semi-final began at a furious pace, with the Canaries mainly dominating, but Leeds softened the blow and comfortably held their opponents at arm’s length.
Leeds’ Junior Firpo goal was controversially deemed offside.
Many people thought this was Norwich’s greatest chance of beating Leeds, as they had not lost at home in 16 games.
However, despite having one of the league’s poorest away records, Leeds are suddenly favourites to win at Elland Road on Thursday night.
Sky Sports’ Simeon Gholam
Following a goalless stalemate in the first leg, Norwich and Leeds’ Championship play-off semi-final is on a knife-edge.
Despite a 17-point difference in the league ranking, they were unable to separate at Carrow Road.
Leeds may believe they have the advantage when they play the second leg at home, but they must be mindful of their own poor play-off record, having failed to secure promotion on five previous occasions.
The visitors had the ball in the net before halftime when Junior Firpo scored following a mix-up between Shane Duffy and Angus Gunn, but the offside flag denied them the first goal.
Though replays indicated that the decision was right, angry Leeds manager Daniel Farke felt the goal should have stood and did not mince words in his evaluation of the referees’ performance when speaking to Sky Sports following the game.
