Leeds hammer Norwich to cruise into play-off final - BBC Sport
Crysencio Summerville's second-half goal crushed any prospect of a Norwich comebackGetty Images

Crysencio Summerville's (left) second-half goal rounded off the scoring on a superb night for the home side

Ian Woodcock
BBC Sport

Leeds United will play Southampton or West Bromwich Albion in the Championship play-off final after a thumping win over an outclassed Norwich.

After a drab stalemate in the first leg on Sunday, the home side, who finished three places and 17 points above the Canaries, took a deserved early lead when Ilia Gruev's long-range free-kick beat Angus Gunn at his near post.

Joel Piroe made it 2-0 when he headed in Willy Gnonto's deep cross to the far post, with keeper Gunn caught in no man's land, to leave the away side with a mountain to climb.

They should have pulled one back immediately but Josh Sargent was thwarted by keeper Illan Meslier one-on-one in what proved to be the only chance of note Norwich had all night.

It was 3-0 before the break when Georginio Rutter crashed a shot in off the underside of the bar after a breakaway attack.

Crysencio Summerville tapped home a fourth for the dominant home side after the interval after Gunn had parried a Gnonto shot out to Junior Firpo, who squared for the Dutchman to roll home.

The Whites will now have nine days to prepare for the play-off final at Wembley on Sunday, 26 May as they look to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.

Leeds look to make it sixth time lucky

There had been next to no indication of what would be to come here at Elland Road after an uneventful goalless draw in Norfolk on Sunday, which made it one win in seven for Leeds, who tailed off badly at the end of the regular season.

However, backed by a vociferous home support, Leeds set about their opponents right from the get-go, with Summerville curling a shot over inside two minutes after a nice link-up with Rutter.

It was 1-0 shortly after as Gruev's free-kick, given for a foul on the marauding Joe Rodon, deceived Scotland international Gunn, who had been expecting a cross.

That ramped the noise up further and Norwich never recovered.

Piroe headed in the second, from a beautiful hanging cross from Gnonto, and again the Canaries' defending was poor.

They could and should have hit straight back but Sargent, half-fit and replaced at half-time, tried to chip Meslier and saw his shot swatted away.

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Leeds' victory prompted celebrations among their fans at Elland Road

Rutter made it 3-0 - and then could have made four before half-time only for a desperate challenge to deny him from close range.

Gunn made good saves from Piroe and Summerville at the start of the second period but another Leeds goal seemed inevitable and it was perhaps fitting that it was Championship player of the year Summerville who got it.

Leeds' former Norwich boss Daniel Farke was then able to take off Gnonto, Piroe, Summerville and Rutter to keep them fresh for the final.

Leeds have never won promotion via the play-offs in five attempts but, in this scintillating form, they will fancy their chances of ending that hoodoo in 10 days' time.

A game too far for Canaries

Norwich boss David Wagner had said his side had reached their initial objective in securing a play-off spot.

They gave a decent account of themselves in front of their own fans, but were blown away in West Yorkshire in what was a 54th match of the season for both teams.

Wagner won promotion through the play-offs with Huddersfield in 2017, conceding one goal across three matches.

Any hopes of keeping this game similarly tight were dashed after seven minutes.

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It was a bitterly disappointing end to the season for Norwich

Norwich made the play-offs after improving following a poor start to the season.

A 3-1 home defeat by Blackburn on 5 November left them 17th in the league and Wagner's future looking uncertain.

That proved to be their final home defeat of the season as they turned things around superbly in the second half of the campaign to clinch sixth on the final day.

This was their third play-off campaign and they had made the final in each of the previous two.

It was not to be three from three though and now, for the first time since 2009-10, they will play a division below their bitter rivals Ipswich, who have secured successive promotions to reach the Premier League.

Post-match reaction

Leeds boss Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Leeds:

"First of all I have to say congratulations to Norwich on a fantastic season. They were a strong opponent.

"We should have scored more goals, if I'm really honest. I'm happy with the clean sheet and it was important at Carrow Road to return to our normal defensive behaviour and we carried that into tonight.

"Norwich tried everything to try and change the running of the game. Many compliments to my young side. I was a bit concerned because the pressure was a bit on us after the first game.

"I don't know what the average age of our team was tonight but the lads delivered in a perfect way for such a young side.

"This place is second to none when it really gets rocking. It is unbelievable the atmosphere."

Norwich manager David Wagner:

"It was a poor performance from us. Everything you should not do, we have done.

"We were second best in the duels and it's a very disappointing evening and end to the season.

"We knew we had to try and stay in the game, but we did the opposite of that, conceding three goals in the first half.

"It's very quiet in the dressing room at the moment. I haven't really spoken about the game because at the moment the disappointment is too big.

"It's important to reflect now. Unfortunately the fairytale does not have a happy ending."

Attendance: 36,384

Referee: Jarred Gillett