Honours even as Norwich and Leeds settle for draw

Norwich and Leeds battled it out for a hard-fought point as an entertaining Championship clash ended in a 1-1 draw.

The Canaries, who were looking for three straight wins, grabbed an early lead on a miserable evening at Carrow Road through Josh Sargent’s penalty.

But Leeds ensured it wasn’t a losing return to Norfolk for head coach Daniel Farke, equalising on 60 minutes through a well-taken effort from Belgian youngster Largie Ramazani.

Both sides had chances to win it but a draw was a fair result and kept them nicely placed in and around the play-off positions.

Norwich made their first incisive attack of the game count on 15 minutes as they took the lead from the penalty spot.

It was an easy decision for referee Stephen Martin, with Sargent having his legs taken from beneath him by Joe Rodon as he cut back on the edge of the six-yard box after being picked out by Ante Crnac.

There was a long delay as Ilia Gruev received treatment in the area – he was substituted a few minutes later – but Sargent kept his cool to calmly despatch his third goal of the season.

Leeds produced a strong response and came desperately close to levelling almost immediately when Wilfried Gnonto saw his low drive come back off the upright after working himself some space in a crowded box.

Gnonto saw another decent effort smothered by goalkeeper Angus Gunn while at the other end Sargent was foiled at the near post by Illan Meslier.

The visitors started the second period strongly and substitute Joe Rothwell tested Gunn with a powerful strike after picking up a loose ball on the edge of the box.

Leeds were on top and it was no real surprise when they made their dominance count on the hour mark.

The impressive Gnonto was the instigator, bursting into the area before slipping the ball wide for Ramazani who buried an unstoppable shot across Gunn and into the far corner of the net.

The visitors were unable to press on, however, and Norwich looked the side more likely to win it in the closing stages, with Borja Sainz only just wide with an outrageous rabona effort.