leedsunited.com 20/11/10
HONOURS END EVEN AT NORWICH
NORWICH 1 (Barnett 65), UNITED 1 (Gradel 13)
Manager Simon Grayson made one change to his starting line-up, recalling Luciano Becchio for Davide Somma for the clash with Norwich City.
The hosts were expecting a record Carrow Road attendance since the stadium became all-seater and United were backed by a sell-out 2,300 fans.
There was a decent atmosphere as United looked to build on an impressive away run, but it was Norwich who had the first effort on goal when Andrew Surman whipped in a free-kick and Elliott Ward headed over. Alex Bruce also made a decisive early clearance when Norwich came forward again.
In reply, during a frenetic opening few minutes, both Bradley Johnson and Jonny Howson tried their luck from distance.
United were looking to hit the home side on the counter and one early raid ended with Max Gradel winning a corner which was cleared.
Leeds had some defending to do, but both Bruce and Andy O'Brien were looking assured, and with Neil Kilkenny and Johnson offering additional protection, the formation allowed Leeds to move the ball upfield quickly.
And Grayson's men were in front after 12 minutes, courtesy of Gradel. Becchio was hacked down by Leon Barnett on the edge of the box, but the referee played advantage and Gradel tucked the ball beneath John Ruddy.
United were playing some good football and were pegging Norwich back. The movement was excellent and the home side were chasing shadows for a period.
Play was held up in the 23rd minute after Bruce received lengthy treatment following a challenge on Grant Holt which saw him handed a yellow card. Chris Martin took the resultant free-kick, but Schmeichel was able to smother his shot.
United responded by carving out another opening, but no one was on hand to convert Gradel's cross.
At the other end, Andrew Crofts should have done better when he looked to round Schmeichel, but his touch was poor.
And United immediately broke again, Robert Snodgrass having a shot blocked amid calls for handball.
It was certainly proving to be an entertaining clash, and United were working hard at both ends of the pitch. Another reward almost came United's way on 34 minutes, but Ruddy got just enough on a goalbound shot from Gradel to tip it over the bar.
It was an excellent performance from a Leeds side who were pressing to make their advantage count by scoring a second goal before half-time.
Gradel had a shot blocked, Jonny Howson, playing almost as a second striker, nearly walked his way to goal, Becchio headed wide, and Bruce couldn't get past Ward when he looked to meet a Howson flick-on.
United went in at the break on the back of one of the best first half performances of the season, the only frustration being that a second goal couldn't be added before the interval.
Norwich had to come out of the blocks at the start of the second half, and Crofts wasted the opportunity to tee up Grant Holt after a quickly taken free-kick.
Bruce also made a good block to deny the Norwich front man, and as the bal was put back into the box, Holt headed against of the upright.
At the other end, Simon Lappin headed away a cross as Leeds pressed, but it was United who were having to do the early defending, and Schmeichel made a good save to deny Chris Martin.
Grayson's men were still looking dangerous on the break, though, as Norwich's urgency threatened to leave spaces at the back for United to profit from.
But Norwich were back on level terms on 65 minutes in controversial fashion, Barnett headed home a David Fox corner, but Schmeichel was clearly felled as the corner was taken, although the match officials failed to see the incident.
That was the cue for United to open up again and within moments, Ruddy flapped at a cross from George McCartney and Norwich had to scramble the ball clear.
Robert Snodgrass also weaved his way into the box, looking to set up Howson, and another Gradel delivery had to be cleared.
United also won a series of corners, the third of which saw O'Brien battling for the ball as Ruddy flapped again.
United had more grounds for complaint when McCartney was adjudged to have committed a foul on the edge of the box, despite appearing to win the ball cleanly, and Bruce had to be alert to deny Barnett once again.
Bruce was excellent at the back and Schmeichel had another save to make when he got down well to deny Ward.
Moments later Kilkenny made a fantastic run to block off Simeon Jackson who was looking to beat Schmeichel to the ball.
The pressure was Norwich's now, but Leeds were defending well. and were also still looking to exploit opportunities.
The lead was almost regained by Snodgrass in spectacular fashion when he tried his luck from distance with an effort which looped just wide.
Then, Bruce headed clear again at the other end when under pressure from Holt. Schmeichel also saved well from Ward before Crofts fired wide.Four minutes of added time gave both sides hope, but neither could find a winner as Leeds left Carrow Road with a hard fought point.

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