May 17 – Leeds United became the first team to reach the 2024 Championship playoff final for the Premier League with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Norwich City last night.
The result means that Leeds are set to meet the winner of Southampton and West Bromwich Albion, which will be decided tonight, in the final at Wembley on the May 25.
If Leeds win the final it will mean that there will be 10 Premier League clubs under US ownership or with significant US shareholding. Voting majority in the Premier League is 14 out of its 20 clubs.
Despite the cagey first leg against his former team Norwich, Daniel Farke’s Leeds side returned home for a thumping 4-0 win that exposed the Canaries’ frailties.
Already 3-0 up by the 40th minute, Leeds brought plenty of energy and desire which will give them an abundance of confidence heading into the final next week.
Farke was quick to praise his players but also reminded fans that the job isn’t done yet. “When I watch the game back at home on the sofa I’ll enjoy it! During the game I was just focused on making the right decisions. But the team were brilliant, and a bit more brutal and clinical in front of goal to finish the game,” Farke said.
“In the last seasons I spent in this league I was promoted twice. Right now I’m in the play-off final.
“If someone had told us we’d get to Wembley and one game away from the Premier League back at the start of September, I’d have said no chance. But right now we have that chance.”
On the other side of the technical area, Norwich boss David Wagner was sacked after a limp end to what became a underwhelming campaign, with Norwich now set for another season in the second tier.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1735263846labto1735263846ofdlo1735263846rwedi1735263846sni@g1735263846niwe.1735263846yrrah1735263846