Norwich City 1 Leeds United 1: match report

Contests involving Leeds United these days rarely fail to absorb and this encounter consumed those who hold them up as promotion material.

Championship matches involving them have racked 64 goals and that volatility was illustrated by a performance which produced conflicting signals.

They are well-placed in fifth but their display was constructed by an unadulterated fortitude on the back foot and an increasing anaemia going forward.

The pressure exerted on their goal in the second half by a rejuvenated Norwich City would have seen flimsier sides baulk but the visitors failed to stem that onslaught by occupying their opponents at the other end.

That was odd since Leeds unnerved Norwich in the opening period with football that had more of a control and premeditation about it.

Max Gradel was the protagonist for their thrusts forward but Norwich were slovenly at that stage, typifying an outfit whose winless run is now five matches.

A largest crowd at Carrow Road for 18 years could not roar any incisiveness into their football. A long ball caused consternation and reached Luciano Becchio.

He was chopped down by Leon Barnett but an advantage allowed Gradel to slide a shot under John Ruddy.

It an unkempt way to take the lead but gracefulness was lacking in Norwich. Their 4-4-2 configuration is designed to play to the strengths of Grant Holt, an imposing forward capable of bringing others into play.

Expansiveness on the flanks, though, was hard to come by even if a sprightly Anthony McNamee troubled Leeds on the right with persistence rather than scintillation.

Until the second half it was hard to discern how Norwich had emerged as play-off contenders and it appeared Leeds would extend their lead.

They bypassed Andrew Crofts and David Fox through midfield, an area Norwich manager Paul Lambert insisted he will attempt to bolster with a loan signing this week, and Ruddy had to flip Gradel’s shot over the bar.

Leeds’ strength of character, typified by Andy O’Brien and Alex Bruce, solidified in the second half, even though their exuberance eroded.

Norwich found a snappiness which threw off an over-reliance on Holt, even if he headed a cross on to the inside of a post.

Kasper Schmeichel kept out Chris Martin’s shot but the sense that Leeds would eventually crumble under the barrage was overwhelming and Fox’s corner was headed