Leeds United will face either Southampton or West Bromwich Albion in the Championship play-off final following a decisive victory over an outmatched Norwich.
After a lackluster draw in the first leg on Sunday, the home team, who finished three places and 17 points ahead of the Canaries, earned an early lead when Ilia Gruev’s long-range free-kick beat Angus Gunn at his near post.
Joel Piroe extended the lead to 2-0 by heading in Willy Gnonto’s deep cross to the far post, with Gunn caught out of position, leaving Norwich with a significant challenge.
Norwich had a chance to respond immediately, but Josh Sargent was denied by keeper Illan Meslier in a one-on-one, which proved to be their only notable opportunity of the night.
Georginio Rutter made it 3-0 before halftime, crashing a shot in off the underside of the bar following a breakaway attack.
Crysencio Summerville added a fourth after the interval, tapping in after Gunn parried a Gnonto shot to Junior Firpo, who set up the goal for the Dutchman.
Leeds now have nine days to prepare for the play-off final at Wembley on Sunday, May 26, as they aim for an immediate return to the Premier League.
Leeds look to make it sixth time lucky
There was little hint of the drama to come at Elland Road following an uneventful goalless draw in Norfolk on Sunday, which extended Leeds’ poor run to one win in seven matches as they faltered at the end of the regular season.
However, spurred on by passionate home support, Leeds attacked their opponents from the start. Within two minutes, Summerville curled a shot over the bar after a neat exchange with Rutter.
Shortly after, it was 1-0 when Gruev’s free-kick, awarded for a foul on the advancing Joe Rodon, caught Scotland international Gunn off guard, as he had anticipated a cross.
The noise level surged, and Norwich never recovered.
Piroe made it 2-0 with a header from a beautiful hanging cross by Gnonto, highlighting the Canaries’ poor defending.
Norwich had an opportunity to respond immediately, but Sargent, only half-fit and replaced at half-time, saw his chip shot saved by Meslier.
Rutter then made it 3-0 and nearly added a fourth before halftime, only to be denied by a last-ditch challenge.
Gunn made good saves from Piroe and Summerville at the start of the second half, but another Leeds goal seemed inevitable. Appropriately, it was Championship player of the year Summerville who scored it.
Leeds’ former Norwich boss Daniel Farke was then able to substitute 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 their current scintillating form, they will be confident of ending that streak in 10 days’ time.
A game too far for Canaries
Norwich boss David Wagner acknowledged that securing a play-off spot had been the team’s initial objective. They put in a solid performance at home but were overwhelmed in West Yorkshire in what was the 54th match of the season for both teams.
Wagner, who achieved play-off promotion with Huddersfield in 2017 while conceding just one goal across three matches, saw his hopes of a similarly tight game dashed within seven minutes.
Norwich made the play-offs after a strong recovery from a poor start to the season. A 3-1 home defeat by Blackburn on November 5 left them 17th in the league and cast doubt on Wagner’s future. However, that was their last home defeat of the season, and they staged a remarkable turnaround in the second half of the campaign to secure sixth place on the final day.
This marked their third play-off campaign, having reached the final in their previous two attempts. However, they fell short this time and, for the first time since the 2009-10 season, will be playing in a lower division than their rivals Ipswich, who have secured back-to-back 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.”