Leeds ease past Norwich as Daniel Farke sees rotation pay off and FA Cup path open | OneFootball

Leeds United marched into the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 23 years with a 3-0 win over in-form Norwich City, Daniel Farke’s nine changes rewarded by a cohesive display led by Gabriel Gudmundsson.

The Swedish defender created the opener, struck the second and carved out further chances in a rampant first half. The second period was less convincing, but the job was already done, with only captain Ethan Ampadu and Gudmundsson retained from the previous outing. Leeds Live notes attention now turns to a Premier League trip to Crystal Palace next weekend.

Fringe players took their chance. Lukas Nmecha, Dan James and Sean Longstaff impressed, with James a constant threat on the right and Longstaff adding control to midfield as well as a goal. Both James and Longstaff departed before the 70-minute mark.

Nmecha might have had a first-half hat-trick and will feel he should have been more clinical, yet he led the line well and linked play with his back to goal. He also offered a reminder that he could be a useful foil for Dominic Calvert-Lewin if he had the striker running beyond him.

The draw could be kind again. Having beaten three Championship sides, Leeds could land another EFL opponent, with Port Vale and Southampton already through after Sunday shocks. A home tie against lower-league opposition would make them favourites for the semi-finals and a Wembley return, with the quarter-finals scheduled for the weekend of Saturday April four or Sunday April five.

Source: Leeds Live