Leeds United secured a solid 2-0 win over Daniel Farke’s side at Elland Road on Wednesday night to return to the top of the Championship table, but the game was not without controversy.
Manor Solomon handed Leeds the lead on 31 seconds after finishing a beautifully-worked goal that included neat passing from Brenden Aaronson and Jayden Bogle, before Dan James laid on an assist.
Norwich were always in the game and did get into the Leeds penalty area without ever really testing under-fire Illan Meslier. But, Leeds scored a second when Solomon returned the favour for James to net.
A solid win, and Daniel Farke continues his brilliant run of form against his old side. That is now six games against The Canaries, in which Leeds and Farke have won five and drawn once over the last 18 months.
Johannes Hoff Thorup’s ‘bizarre’ moment with Leeds United fans
Ao Tanaka found himself on a yellow card when he dived into a tackle. The Japan star might have been sent off for a second yellow card, but luckily for Leeds he remained on and was subbed off shortly after.
Norwich boss Thorup was not happy on the touchline. Often seen entering into dialogue with Farke alongside the fourth official, Thorup then reacted to Tanaka’s substitution by trying to engage fans.
The Athletic’s Beren Cross reported on X: Bizarre from Johannes Hoff Thorup. Whips his arm around his head to encourage more and more cheers from Elland Road as Tanaka is taken off a few moments after he thinks he should have been dismissed.”
Ao Tanaka perhaps slightly lucky to get away without sending off
Farke’s decision to take Tanaka off shortly after the hour mark is proof that Farke knew that even he if was lucky to be sent off, he knew a red was close. Tanaka is rarely substituted before the 80th minute.
Perhaps, the return of Ilia Gruev allows Tanaka to now be rested a bit more but there is no doubting that Farke’s move to haul Tanaka off the pitch was to save the £3.4m man from receiving his marching orders.
That means Tanaka will now be available next Monday when Leeds take on a crucial clash against rivals Burnley at Turf Moor. Leeds go top again, but all four automatic promotion rivals picked up victories.
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