Norwich withstand Leeds storm in breathless encounter at Elland Road
Leeds United 2
Becchio 16,
Somma 75
Norwich City 2
Lansbury 45,
Hoolahan 69
Martin Palmer at Elland Road
Among the conclusions that could be legitimately drawn from this match of
furious commitment and pace was that if either or indeed both of these sides are
promoted at the end of this season they will add considerably to the
entertainment value of the Premier League.
"Over the course of the game we made enough chances to be disappointed not to
have won it, but it was a fantastic game between two teams trying to win it
right to the end and to play the game in the right manner," said the Leeds
manager, Simon Grayson.
Strength in depth is likely to be an important factor during the run-in, and it
was always going to be interesting to see how Norwich would cope without their
central defender Leon Barnett, whose form since arriving on loan, and
subsequently permanently, from West Bromwich Albion has been impressively solid.
The American Zak Whitbread – who has had injury problems of his own – started in
Barnett's place alongside Adam Drury.
Much of the focus in the run-up to the game was on the Leeds winger Robert
Snodgrass, and the 23-year-old Scot was influential throughout. Jonathan Howson
had already gone close when, after Max Gradel was fouled, Luciano Becchio got in
front of Whitbread to get his head to Snodgrass's free-kick. John Ruddy, the
City goalkeeper, reacted superbly to deflect the ball on to his left-hand post
before grabbing the rebound.
United's pace and urgency when given any space going forward was causing Norwich
constant problems, and it was no surprise when Gradel's cross from the left was
glanced on by Snodgrass for Becchio, jumping at the far post, to bundle over the
line. It was the Argentine's 15th league goal of the season, which means he has
already matched his return in each of the two previous seasons.
Norwich came within inches of equalising almost immediately, Elliott Ward's
slow-motion header bouncing high as it passed Kasper Schmeichel's outstretched
hand before hitting the outside of the goalkeeper's left-hand post.
Shortly after the half-hour David Fox brought a diving save from Schmeichel with
a dipping, swerving 30-yard drive, but otherwise, United's dominance was almost
total.
Eight minutes before half-time they could not have come closer to extending
their lead, when Eric Lichaj, played into the penalty area by Snodgrass cut the
ball back into the six-yard box. Howson's first close-range shot was blocked by
a defender, but the goalkeeper had no chance with the second, and could only
watch as it came back off the underside of the bar. Howson had a third go at the
ball as it bounced up, but his attempted scissors kick flew wide.
That Norwich would go in level could not have been easily predicted, but Paul
Lambert's team is nothing if not resilient. In stoppage time Grant Holt got his
head to Andrew Crofts's deep cross, teeing the ball up for Henri Lansbury,
unmarked in the area, to thump past Schmeichel. It was the on-loan Arsenal
youngster's third goal in three games.
It seemed unlikely that the second half could be as breathless, but it was.
Norwich emerged re-energised, and with Leeds also continuing to attack, the game
swung from end to end with bewildering rapidity.
Schmeichel's save from Wes Hoolahan's shot was unconvincing and it took a fine
block by Whitbread to deflect Howson's shot just wide.
Shortly after the hour Norwich took the lead. Ward won the ball in midfield,
Crofts picked out Hoolahan running into the area, and the midfielder squeezed
his shot beyond Schmeichel and over the line.
Back came Leeds, and Grayson sent on Davide Somma, the South Africa striker
whose goalscoring record off the bench this season is extraordinary.
Becchio jumped with Whitbread, the ball looped up into the air, and with his
first touch, Somma volleyed the ball past Ruddy from the edge of the penalty
area.
Both sides might have scored the winner, but Leeds went closest when Billy
Paynter's stoppage-time shot was pushed just past the post by the Norwich
goalkeeper, John Ruddy.
"You're not going to come here and not have to withstand a storm, but all credit
to my team, we did that and gave as good as we got," said Lambert. "We're in the
mix with Leeds and a few others, and it's going to go to the end of the season."
He paid particular tribute to Whitbread, and also to Hoolahan, who covered a
genuinely extraordinary amount of ground for the Canaries.
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