Premier League 2

Norwich City 5 (Nunez 20’, 74’, Idah 37’, Kamara 40’ pen, 61’)

Leeds United 2 (Douglas 78, 88’) 

Norwich: (Gunn (GK), Clarke, McCallum (Stewart 65’), Hills, Warner (C) (McInstosh 87’), Gibbs, Sorensen (Brooke 60’), Sinani, Idah, Nunez, Kamara. Subs not used: Dickson-Peters, Watts. 

Leeds: Klaesson (GK), Muillen, Debayo, Ferguson, Spencer (Buchan 81’), Coleman, Gyabi, McGurk (Toulson 90’), Wilson, McFadden (Douglas 57’), Joseph (C) (Andreucci 81’). Subs not used: Christy (GK). 

Venue: Lotus Training Complex

Referee: Paul Johnson

Booked: Sorensen (Norwich) Mullen, Gyabi (Leeds)

Leeds United Under-21s made the long trip south to East Anglia on Friday afternoon, to take on Norwich City away from home in their latest Premier League 2 Division 2 encounter.

The Whites had the chance to return to the top of the league standings if they could take three points, whereas the hosts were aiming to move up to third spot themselves with a victory. 

The home side were able to name a number of first team players for the match, with them not having a fixture over the weekend. Michael Skubala’s side was a youthful one, who would learn plenty from the challenge of facing their experienced opponents. 

The opening exchanges saw Leeds press well and create the first chance. Sean McGurk was causing problems and his run into the box saw Cian Coleman have an effort, which went over the bar. 

From then on, it became tough for the Whites as the quality and experience of the Norwich frontline began to show. Kristoffer Klaesson was kept busy, twice denying Marcelino Nunez and then Adam Idah.  

However, after Nunez had also hit the post, the Chile international did open the scoring. Danel Sinani crossed low into the box to create the chance, and Nunez was there to finish at close range. 

The young Whites did then try and push forward again, looking to create. Darko Gyabi and McGurk continued to link up well and they won a free-kick in a dangerous area. Morten Spencer struck it well, but Angus Gunn in the Norwich net saved the effort. 

From there, Norwich would be on top until the break and extended their lead further with two quick goals. The second came from Republic of Ireland international, Adam Idah - who turned home after Klaesson had done well to make an initial save.

Just two minutes later, the Canaries had a penalty after Jeremiah Mullen was adjudged to have brought down his man. Abu Kamara stepped up and scored his 12th of the campaign, to send his side in at the break with a three-goal advantage.  

HALF TIME: Norwich City 3-0 Leeds United  

There were no changes at the interval and the Whites, as expected, came out battling in the second half in East Anglia and were searching for a way back into the match against a strong Norwich side. 

Attacks were exchanged at either end and Idah should have put Norwich further ahead, before McGurk continued to threaten with a free-kick on goal. 

However, it would be Norwich who extended their lead through Kamara, who scored his second of the game and 13th of the season with a low finish into the back of the net. 

That was followed up with another with 15 minutes remaining, as Nunez also scored his second of the match and put his side five goals ahead.  

Approaching the final 10 minutes of the match, fresh from the bench, Connor Douglas made a big impact on the game and would reduce the scoreline. 

Spencer was the creator as he burst through the midfield and played a ball in behind the defence for Douglas. He controlled, showed neat footwork and then calmly slotted home into the bottom corner to score. 

That wasn’t the end of the scoring, as Leeds got another in the match. Again it was Douglas who this time seized on an opportunity in the box to fire home again, this one on the half-volley. 

Leeds had battled hard throughout against their experienced opponents and when the full-time whistle went, could be pleased with their efforts, despite losing the match. 

FULL TIME: Norwich City 5-2 Leeds United