Norwich 1 Leeds 2: Bielsa & Co escape drop zone in huge six-pointer to leave hopeless Canaries eight points from safety
RODRIGO eased some of the pressure on Marcelo Bielsa – but the same cannot be said for Norwich boss Daniel Farke. The Leeds forward struck to hand only a second win of the season for Bielsa and his struggling side but for the Canaries, the misery goes on. It is now ten games without a […]
RODRIGO eased some of the pressure on Marcelo Bielsa – but the same cannot be said for Norwich boss Daniel Farke.
The Leeds forward struck to hand only a second win of the season for Bielsa and his struggling side but for the Canaries, the misery goes on.
It is now ten games without a win for Farke but if you take into account Norwich’s previous stint in the top-flight, they are without a victory in 20.
Rodrigo scored on the hour to cap a mad spell of three goals in four minutes.
Raphinha had put Leeds ahead before defender Andrew Omobamidele equalised with a header.
It was Norwich’s third goal this season and after Rodrigo’s effort, they did not look like getting another.
Ultimately, Leeds – with fit again Kalvin Phillips back in midfield – saw out the game comfortably.
Norwich’s defensive issues were summed up by having their two left-backs, Brandon Williams and Dimi Giannoulis, stuck on the bench with teenage central defender Omobamidele being moved into their position to deal with Raphinha.
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Leeds took just seven minute to completely carve open the home defence but Daniel James’ shot was cleared off the line by Grant Hanley.
Teemu Pukki, who had scored Norwich’s two only goals, should have done better but rushed a first time shot.
Max Aarons looked lively down the Norwich right and after a brilliant piece of control, had a shot blocked by Pascal Struijk
And while the Canaries were the better team in the first half they created so little in the final third.
Milot Rashica managed an effort but Illan Meslier pushed the shot – which was going wide anyway – out for a corner.
Norwich finally managed a shot on target at the second half but Meslier comfortably gathered Rashica’s free-kick.
Omobamidele, 19, had done a terrific job of keeping Raphinha quiet yet Leeds’ star man delivered a moment of real quality to score.
James delivered the pass but Raphinha had a hell of a lot of work to do but cut inside, found his way past the Irishman before seeing his shot fizz past Tim Krul.
Remarkably, 90 seconds later, Omobamidele rose above Stuart Dallas to head Rachica’s corner into the net via the crossbar for 1-1.
Yet more sloppy play from Kabak allowed Kalvin Phillips to feed Rodrigo and he delivered a long range potshot past Krul who should have done a lot better.
Krul is not having a good season and it will not be long before Angus Gunn, who returned to the club in the summer from Southampton, gets a chance.
That strike was on the hour, so there was plenty of response for a Norwich spot but it never came.
Norwich are in deep trouble – as is Farke.