Norwich and Leeds shared a 0-0 first-leg stalemate at Carrow Road that left their Championship play-off semi-final evenly poised.
It was a clash that was short on quality in the final third as neither goalkeeper found himself overworked, although Leeds had a goal ruled out before half-time.
The tie will be decided at Elland Road on Thursday night with both sets of supporters hoping for a bit more magic.
Leeds had finished the regular season with 90 points, 17 more than sixth-placed Norwich, who had been down in 17th in November when many supporters wanted manager David Wagner sacked.
Wagner survived and the man who took Huddersfield up via the play-offs in 2017 found himself pitted in the 2024 version against fellow German Daniel Farke, who had led Norwich to automatic promotion as Championship winners in 2019 and 2021.
Leeds won both of this season’s previous meetings, coming back from behind to triumph 3-2 at Carrow Road in October and then winning their home game 1-0 thanks to a goal from Patrick Bamford.
Bamford was out injured for this one, with Norwich defender Shane Duffy, who scored for both clubs in the first game, starting despite being charged with drink-driving earlier in the week.
It was a frantic start with Marcelino Nunez’s shot going out for a throw-in and Georginio Rutter missing his kick in front of goal at the other end.
Referee Josh Smith added to the raucous atmosphere for failing to award Leeds a penalty when Borja Sainz hauled Wilfried Gnonto to the ground right in front of the away section, possibly because he thought the Spaniard got a touch on the ball.
Gnonto saw a drive blocked before Josh Sargent glanced a header wide at the other end.
Norwich were on top as Gabriel Sara had a free-kick saved before Nunez was off-target again.
Junior Firpo had the ball in the Norwich net on the half-hour mark after Duffy poked it past his own goalkeeper, Angus Gunn, but Rutter had been flagged offside in the build-up.
The sapping sun saw the tempo slow, with Gnonto booked just before the break for some sarcastic clapping of a decision that went against him.
Duffy was cautioned early in the second period for a crude challenge on Crysencio Summerville, who had hardly been in the game, and Norwich’s best chance in a while followed when Dimi Giannoulis crossed for Sara to strike just wide with a first-time effort. Giannoulis was then booked for fouling Gnonto.
Firpo and Summerville tested Gunn at his near post but play stopped when Sainz caught Gnonto on the head with a boot.
Both sides made changes, including attacking ones, but no clear chances and therefore no goals followed.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Max Dowman : look and learn Gabi Arsenal 2 Champions Mikel Merino : Me again When Gabriel met Gyokeres YOU CAN CHANGE THE MAN BUT NOT THE IDEA This Rashford Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, NoContextChe1, FootballLaughss)...
The 24-year-old has been locked in talks with the North London club over a new deal with his current contract set to expire in the summer of 2027.Several reports have suggested that Real Madrid are keeping tabs on the situation as they seek to bolster their aging and injury-prone backline.When asked about his future and whether he will be signing a new deal at the Emirates, Saliba gave a positive ...
Bayern Munich have agreed to a €75 million ($88 million) deal to sign winger Luis Diaz from Liverpool, sources told ESPN.Diaz missed Liverpool's friendly defeat against AC Milan on Saturday due to ongoing speculation linking him with a move away from Anfield this summer and has now been granted permission to leave the Reds' preseason tour of Asia.Sources told ESPN that Diaz first signaled a ...
The Champions League winners have been in talks with Donnarumma, 26, over a new deal for the past few months but are growing frustrated with the lack of progress.Donnarumma will enter into the final year of his contract with PSG in 2025-26 and the club are now coming to terms with the fact they may have to sign a replacement in the near future.According to L'Equipe, they have agreed personal terms...
Liverpool preparing 'record proposal' for Isak after Diaz exitLiverpool are reportedly lining up a 'record proposal' for Newcastle United star Alexander Isak following the almost confirmed sale of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich. The Reds are keen to reinvest the £65 million fee from Diaz's exit and the Swedish striker is now their top target. The 25-year-old has ruled out a switch to Saudi Arabia...
England ratings Spain GFXAfter winning Euro 2022 in incredibly dramatic fashion, the holders took it to another level by beating La Roja on penalties to keep the trophyIt had to be Chloe Kelly, didn't it? After delivering the Lionesses' first European Championship title three years ago at Wembley in what seemed to be the most dramatic of circumstances, the winger took it one step further on Sunday...
Vissel Kobe v FC Barcelona - Preseason FriendlyBarcelona completed the loan move for Marcus Rashford from Manchester United earlier this week, and the England winger has already made his debut for Hansi Flick's side. Rashford came on as a substitute in the Catalan side's 3-1 win over Vissel Kobe in Japan, and the 27-year-old loanee has received loads of love from cules for his strong showing off t...
Juventus FC v Wydad AC: Group G - FIFA Club World Cup 2025Manchester United and Chelsea reportedly remain interested in Paris Saint-Germain's Randal Kolo Muani after ruling out signing Alexander Isak.WHAT HAPPENED?According to Gazetta Dello Sport, Juventus are expected to send a new offer for Kolo Muani but United and Chelsea could provide stiff competition for the 26-year-old. This comes days aft...
The 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" - ArrivalsThe Chicago Fire defender and Grammy Award-winning artist participated in a post-match jersey exchange at Soldier FieldOcean Drive Art Of The Party 2024WHAT HAPPENEDSam Rogers and Chance the Rapper completed a jersey swap on the pitch at Soldier Field following Chicago Fire's 1-0 home victory against the New York Red Bulls....
LA Galaxy v San Diego FCThe former USMNT star called on MLS leadership to make changes to the league's season schedule ahead of the FIFA World CupInter Miami CF v FC CincinnatiWHAT HAPPENEDWith the 2026 World Cup less than a year away, former MLS star Alexi Lalas says the league should capitalize on the opportunity and implement the much-discussed change to a fall-to-spring schedule, aligning with...
- 1 Loris Karius lifts lid on relationship with Diletta Leotta
- 2 Jack Grealish shares sweet holiday snaps as girlfriend stuns in a yellow maxi dress
- 3 Man City make move for Jules Kounde
- 4 Enzo Fernandez agrees Real Madrid move
- 5 Man City to re-sign Trafford in $36M deal
- 6 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 7 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 8 Ex-Prem star 'drowned in pool hours before flight home for son's birthday'
- 9 Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta provides injury update on Gabriel Magalhaes & Jurrien Timber after defensive pair sit out Gunners' pre-season win over AC Milan
- 10 Man Utd joined the race to sign Douglas