Leeds United vs Norwich City. Premier League.
Elland RoadAttendance36,321.
Match report and free highlights as Leeds end their run of six consecutive defeats by beating Norwich 2-1 at Elland Road; the visitors remain rooted to the bottom of the table - six points from safety - despite equalising in stoppage time through Kenny McLean before Joe Gelhardt struck
Monday 14 March 2022 00:04, UK
Substitute Joe Gelhardt's stoppage-time winner moved Leeds four points clear of the relegation zone as they beat Norwich 2-1 in an astonishing finale at Elland Road to secure Jesse Marsch's first victory as head coach.
Kenny McLean's late equaliser for Norwich (90+1) looked to have denied Leeds a deserved victory, until Raphinha rounded goalkeeper Tim Krul and teed up Gelhardt to seal the win (90+4) to the delight of the Elland Road crowd.
Unbelievably, there was an opportunity for Norwich to level again in stoppage-time, but Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier was equal to Teemu Pukki's effort from close range.
It ends a run of six defeats on the bounce for Leeds, who were back to their high octane best on Sunday afternoon, and leaves their relegation rivals rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, six points from safety.
Rodrigo opened the scoring for Leeds (14) after his right-footed effort from just inside the box took a fortunate deflection off the calf of Norwich defender Ben Gibson before nestling in the bottom corner.
Norwich were incensed by the decision to allow the goal, as they felt Patrick Bamford was interfering with play from an offside position in the build-up.
After missing three gilt-edged opportunities in the first half, it looked like Leeds would be made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal when Norwich were awarded a penalty after Luke Ayling brought down Milot Rashica in the area.
But referee Stuart Attwell reversed his decision after being told to go to the pitchside monitor by the Video Assistant Referee.
It was an electrifying first half performance from Leeds in front of a raucous Elland Road crowd, who were up on their feet as Raphinha hit the bar from close range after a superb cross from Bamford.
From the resulting corner, there was a gilt-edged opportunity for Pascal Struijk as he skied the ball over the bar from inside the six-yard box after Krul parried his initial header back to him.
Bamford, who only lasted 45 minutes on his first start since September, was also presented with a big chance to extend Leeds' advantage but fired wide when one-on-one with Krul in what proved to be a wasteful first half for the hosts.
Norwich were overawed by the ferocity on show from Leeds and failed to make any real impact in the first-half, with their only shot on target a scuffed effort by McLean which bobbled into the arms of Meslier.
Leeds continued to carve out opportunities in the second half, and had the ball in the back of the net after 52 minutes as James swept in the rebound of Raphinha's close-range shot after a fine save from Krul, but the Wales international was offside.
Anxiety levels began to grow at Elland Road as the game wore on, and it looked as though they would be made to pay when Norwich substitute Jonathan Rowe struck the bar with a left-footed effort after 70 minutes.
Raphinha struck the crossbar again, this time from a free-kick, which saw the tension grow among Leeds supporters.
When McLean slid home the Norwich leveller in the first minute of stoppage time after Pukki's low cross from the right-hand side of the box, Leeds' worst nightmare became a reality.
But they rallied and found a way back, as Gelhardt - brought on in stoppage-time - won a header to feed Raphinha, who skilfully found a way past Krul, to return the ball to the substitute and give Leeds their first win since January's 3-2 victory over West Ham.
Leeds boss Jesse Marsch said: "I've heard a lot about the magic of Elland Road and I think we felt that today.
"The crowd was fantastic, I think the performance brought the crowd into the game. The three points are incredibly massive for us, but we played well and we deserved this today. We had big chances.
"If we were a little bit cleaner in the last third, with some of our chances in the first half, I think we could have finished off the game earlier. But right now the way it is for us in our situation, we have to fight for everything and that's OK because it can make us stronger. We will keep pushing."
Norwich head coach Dean Smith said: "I'm frustrated, disappointed. I have to question the goal. Patrick Bamford's ran for the ball over the top and is offside.
"The game knows he is offside, unfortunately the law doesn't. I think everybody wants that rule changed. The only reason Ozan Kabak heads it is because Bamford is there.
"But that doesn't excuse the fact they ran past my players to win the second ball. I didn't think we showed enough bravery, I had to change it at half-time and we got a reaction in the second half.
"We won a penalty and it got overturned. I will ask the question of why later. If Ayling's foot is not there then Rashcia gets a shot away, it's not his fault his foot is there. Is there enough contact for the referee to give it? He has. Is there enough to overturn it? I don't know again because that [clear and obvious] is subjective and they are the only people that know what that means at the moment."
Former Hull City striker Aaron McLean told Sky Sports News:
"I can't see how they [Norwich] get out of it now. You need to be winning the games against the teams in and around you and this was a huge opportunity for them.
"First half they weren't really at the races, second half they had a go but Leeds were too strong for them and this, for me, probably signals the beginning of the end for Norwich.
"I can't really see where they pick up enough points between now and the end of the season."
Leeds will return to Premier League action on Friday at 8pm as they take on Wolves, live on Sky Sports.
Dean Smith's Norwich will not play again in March as their next scheduled game will see them travel to face Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday April 2 at 3pm.
