Leeds 2-2 Norwich- Report

Last updated : 25 October 2016 By DSG

Marco Silvestri the hero as Leeds beat Norwich on penalties

Marco Silvestri was the hero as Leeds beat Norwich 3-2 on penalties to reach the last eight of the EFL Cup after a thrilling fourth-round tie at Elland Road.

Goalkeeper Silvestri saved spot-kicks from Alex Pritchard, Steven Naismith and Robbie Brady before Ronaldo Vieira scored the winning penalty



Leeds striker Marcus Antonsson had cancelled out Pritchard's opener before the break and after Nelson Oliveira had put Norwich back in front in extra time, Chris Wood struck in the 109th minute as the game ended 2-2 after two hours.

The hosts, who had used all three substitutes, played the whole of extra time with 10 men after defender Lewie Coyle limped off injured in the 90th minute.

But they forced the shoot-out and, despite Kalvin Phillips seeing his effort saved by John Ruddy and Matt Grimes firing over, Vieira held his nerve to clinch Garry Monk's side a place in the quarter-finals.

There was a minute's applause prior to kick-off for former Leeds goalkeeper Gary Sprake, who died last week aged 71

The Welshman made over 500 appearances for the club under Don Revie in the 1960s and 70s and his tribute was warmly observed.

Sprake would have approved when Silvestri prevented Norwich from taking the lead in the opening seconds as the Italian guessed right and smothered Naismith's shot.

Leeds were not so lucky the next time Norwich swept forward down the left as the unmarked Pritchard stooped low to head home in the 14th minute from Brady's cross.

Norwich were full of running, slick and accurate in possession and Leeds were in danger of falling further behind.

Brady's curling effort was tipped over by Silvestri and from the corner Oliveira's goalbound first-time shot was blocked by Gaetano Berardi, making only his second appearance of the season.

Leeds defender Kyle Bartley clearly handled Alex Mowatt's corner into the net, but there was nothing wrong when they equalised in the 43rd minute.

Kemar Roofe crossed to the far post and from Souleymane Doukara's knock-back Antonsson turned the ball home.

It was end-to-end

Pritchard curled a free-kick just wide and Antonsson's thumping drive was pushed over the crossbar by Norwich goalkeeper Ruddy before the interval.

Ruddy pulled off an even better save soon after the restart to keep out Doukara's thumping header from Mowatt's corner and Silvestri was alert to palm away Oliveira's shot after the Portuguese had skirted round Bartley.

Two sides so intent on winning made for a gripping cup-tie

Mowatt's effort from Doukara's deep cross bounced inches wide and substitute Wood's low shot was gathered by Ruddy.

Norwich substitute Sergi Canos' low shot lacked the power to trouble Silvestri as extra time beckoned and Ruddy pushed Phillips' deflected free-kick over the crossbar.

Leeds were dealt a huge blow at the end of normal time

Having used all three substitutes, the home side began extra time with 10 men after Coyle limped off.

Norwich seized back the initiative and after Pritchard's curler flew narrowly wide, the visitors regained the lead in the 99th minute.

Pritchard was again pivotal, whipping in a brilliant cross from Brady's short corner for Oliveira to head home unmarked at the far post, but Leeds were back on level terms again 10 minutes later.

Ruddy could only parry Hadi Sako's low angled shot and Wood swept home his ninth goal of the season to take the tie to penalties.


Source : DSG

Source: DSG