Leeds, March 14 (BUS): Joe Gerhard came off the bench to score the stoppage-time winner for Leeds United as they snatched a thrilling 2-1 home win over struggling Norwich City in a thrilling Premier League match on Sunday.
Leeds appeared to throw three important points in the relegation battle when Kenny McClain smashed a Teemu Pukki pass in the 91st minute, but Gerhardt avoided his shyness in a game the home side should have comfortably won.
The hosts took the lead in the 14th minute when Norwich defender Ozan Kabak headed a long ball to Dan James, who shot it in Rodrigo’s path, and fired a deflected shot at the far post.
Leeds missed opportunity after opportunity with Patrick Bamford, on their first start since early December, hitting a big chance on goal, and Dan James canceled an early attempt in the second half for offside.
Norwich substitute Jonathan Rowe explained the danger to Leeds in the 72nd minute, hitting a shot from the underside of the crossbar in a rare attack for the visitors, and they thought they had thrown a lifeline with a penalty kick in the 75th minute for a foul. On Milot Rashica.
Referee Stuart Atwell overturned his decision after reviewing a video but Norwich found a way back as McClain fired home.
Replacing Matisse Klich in the 90th minute, Gerhard didn’t waste much time making his mark, capturing Ravenha’s square ball and curling the ball into the net from close range to send the crowd into ecstasy.
The seventh consecutive defeat left Norwich at the top of the standings with 17 points from 29 games, while Leeds ended the streak of eight consecutive games without winning the league to move to 26 points in 16th place, four points behind Watford, who is 18th.
The win was Leeds’ first under new American coach Jesse Marsh.
“The fans were fantastic, I think the performance brought the fans into the match and obviously the three points were incredibly massive for us, but we played really well. We deserved this day,” he said.
“We had great chances. If we were a little cleaner in the final third with some of our chances in the first half, we could finish the game early, but now, as it is for us in our situation, we have to fight for everything,” added Marsh.