Leeds United demonstrated their FA Cup credentials with a dominant 3-0 victory over Norwich City, securing passage to the next round at Elland Road.
Leeds United delivered a commanding performance against Norwich City, triumphing 3-0 in their FA Cup encounter on March 8, 2026. Sean Longstaff, Gabriel Gudmundsson, and Joël Piroe were the heroes, each finding the back of the net.
The Whites entered the tie looking to continue a strong run of form at home, eager to make a deep cup run. Norwich, meanwhile, aimed for an upset, hoping to catch their hosts off guard in the storied competition.
The game began with an intense pace, Leeds showing early intent. Lukas Nmecha thought he had given Leeds the lead in the 19th minute, but VAR intervention disallowed the goal for a handball, sparking mixed reactions.
Norwich's A. Ahmed received the first booking of the game in the 25th minute for a clumsy challenge. The home side pressed on, and their persistence paid off shortly after.
Sean Longstaff eventually broke the deadlock for Leeds in the 32nd minute. He powerfully struck home following a sharp assist from Gabriel Gudmundsson, sending Elland Road into raptures.
Longstaff then earned a yellow card for a late tackle in the 39th minute. J. Cordoba of Norwich also saw yellow two minutes later for unsportsmanlike conduct. Gudmundsson quickly doubled Leeds' advantage in the 43rd minute, driving home to establish a comfortable lead before the break.
The break saw Leeds firmly in control, but Norwich had an opportunity to regroup and strategize. Changes were expected from both dugouts to influence the second half.
Both teams made substitutions at the restart, with Norwich bringing on V. Kovacevic for D. Grimshaw. Leeds also introduced J. Justin for S. Bornauw, seeking to maintain their intensity.
The second half saw a more cautious approach from Norwich, while Leeds continued to probe. A. Tanaka picked up a yellow card for Leeds in the 59th minute. Multiple substitutions followed as both managers refreshed their lineups.
Leeds confirmed their dominance in the 85th minute. Joël Piroe clinically finished from close range, assisted by Lukas Nmecha, to seal a comprehensive 3-0 victory and cap a fine individual performance.
Leeds commanded the match with 15 total shots, including 6 on target, compared to Norwich's 7 total shots and 3 on target. The home side also edged possession with 51%. Goalkeeper Lucas Perri made 3 saves to ensure a clean sheet, earning an impressive 7.3 rating.
This emphatic win sees Leeds United confidently advance in the FA Cup, showcasing their ambition for silverware. Norwich will need to regroup quickly after a challenging afternoon.
