Norwich City 0 Leeds United 1

Last updated : 27 August 2005 By Footymad Previewer
It proved to be another disappointing day for Norwich fans as their team lost for the second successive Saturday.

This time the defeat was largely self-inflicted as Dean Ashton and Leon McKenzie failed to find the target.

At the other end Rob Hulse stabbed home an easy chance, created when his skipper Paul Butler headed down Frazer Richardson's diagonal cross from the right wing midway through the second half.

Hulse had earlier been booked for putting an elbow into Jason Shackell's face, but although Leeds are a physical side, Norwich had only themselves to blame for squandering the best of the chances created in a game which failed to live up to the expectations of the home supporters in another 25,000 crowd at Carrow Road.

Ashton and Darren Huckerby returned to action after missing the midweek Carling Cup win due to injuries. Huckerby played on the right wing so that Jim Brennan could continue on the left side of midfield.

Norwich kicked off attacking the Barclay End goal and in the opening five minutes three promising moves broke down because of misplaced passes by Huckerby.

For their part Leeds forced four corners in the first eight minutes.

After 17 minutes the home side won their first corner but Craig Fleming's header from Dean Marney's flag kick was easily saved by Ian Bennett.

McKenzie headed over when Ashton crossed to him and then in the 33rd minute Hulse hinted at things to come when he rattled the City crossbar with a firm header from Eddie Lewis' inswinging right-wing corner.

Marney's free-kick went inches wide and Ashton blasted over when put through by Huckerby. Bennett then did well to block Ashton's shot with his legs in a one-on-one situation.

One minute into the second half Huckerby's fierce drive was only inches away from the target.

Hulse was then booked for his foul on Shackell which left the young defender requiring treatment to his nose for the second time in the game.

Huckerby's shot was deflected for a corner just after the hour and when he released Brennan his shot met a similar fate. Leeds then scored in the 67th minute, Hulse beating Robert Green to Butler's knockdown and blasting a left-foot shot into the roof of the net from just two yards.

From that point on, as hard as Norwich tried there was no way back into the game.