Leeds 3 – 0 Norwich

Leeds reached their first FA Cup quarter-final since 2003 after easing past Championship side Norwich with a 3-0 victory at Elland Road.

Following a day of FA Cup shocks with Southampton’s win over Fulham and Port Vale’s success against Sunderland, all eyes were on Elland Road to see whether Norwich could follow their EFL counterparts with a win at Leeds.

However, first-half goals from Sean Longstaff (32) and Gabriel Gudmundsson (43) put Daniel Farke’s side in full control against the Leeds’ boss’ former side.

Norwich failed to register a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes and while they fared better in the second half, the game was made safe by Joel Piroe late on as Leeds reached the last eight for the first time in 23 years.

Leeds bounced back to winning ways after successive Premier League defeats left them three points above the relegation zone, while Norwich failed to reproduce the form that saw them win nine of their previous 11 matches in all competitions.

How Leeds cruised past Norwich…

Farke, who twice led Norwich to Premier League promotion and reached the FA Cup last eight with them six years ago, watched from the stands as he served a one-game ban for his red card in last week’s home defeat by Manchester City.

After a slow start, Lukas Nmecha turned home a loose ball from inside the penalty area, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR intervention for Willy Gnonto’s handball as he challenged Norwich goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw in the build-up.

However, the Premier League side eventually took a deserved lead in the 32nd minute. Gudmundsson charged on to Gnonto’s pass into the area and pulled the ball back for Longstaff, who swivelled on to his excellent first touch to volley home his first goal since September.

Norwich went close to a quick response through Ali Ahmed’s low shot, but Leeds were soon back on the offensive when Gnonto’s header was ruled out for offside.

The travelling fans will have been disappointed at their in-form side’s passive first-half display and it got worse for the visitors when Leeds struck their second two minutes before the break. The Canaries failed to deal with another low cross from James and Gudmundsson pounced to lash home his first goal for the club from 10 yards.

Norwich lifted themselves early in the second period, with Liam Gibbs wayward from inside the area and Kenny McLean’s low shot – their first effort on target – easily gathered by Lucas Perri.

Piroe and Norwich winger Ahmed both took on drinks to break their Ramadan fast in the 63rd minute when the visitors sent on substitutes Jack Stacey, Anis Ben Slimane and Errol Mundle-Smith.

Slimane then squandered a better chance for the visitors, firing into the side-netting at the far post, while Piroe’s 20-yard shot hit the crossbar in the 71st minute.

Piroe added Leeds’ third following a swift counter-attack, applying a neat finish after Nmecha and substitute Anton Stach had combined to create the opening as Leeds sealed a place in the last eight for the first time since 2003 under former manager Terry Venables.

Farke looking forward to ‘important weeks’ ahead

Leeds boss Daniel Farke to TNT Sport:

“We were the favourites today but you only have to look at what happened elsewhere. Teams around us in the [Premier League] table rotated today and went out.

“I can’t complain at all. Important minutes in the tank for some players and able to rest others.

“Sometimes it is OK if you have two or three changes to a team with core bones. If you rotate in nine positions you need time. We deserved to be 2-0 up. Second half the game-management could at times have been better but, in general, we didn’t allow many chances.

“It was an important win for us. A win is always good for the confidence. The spirit in the group, everyone keeps going. Today some players had the chance to shine and it is important for us as a group.

“Apart from us just seven other teams can win the FA Cup. It is maybe not realistic for us. We are on a good path and we are looking forward to our upcoming games and important weeks for us.”

Clement: Part of Norwich’s journey

Norwich City head coach Philippe Clement to TNT Sport:

“There were ups and downs. For a lot of the guys it was the first time they have played at this level.

“It was difficult to adapt to the intensity. In the second half we played much better, creating opportunities.

“It is a very young squad, three months ago they were playing relegation football in the Championship and I am convinced they will improve from this. It is part of the journey they have to take to get to this level where they want to be.”

When is the FA Cup quarter-final draw?

The FA Cup quarter-final draw is on Monday and will take place before the final fifth-round tie between West Ham and Brentford.

The draw is expected to start at around 7.05pm.

The ball numbers are as follows:

1. Southampton
2. Port Vale
3. Man City
4. Leeds
5. Arsenal
6. Liverpool
7. Chelsea
8. West Ham or Brentford

What’s coming up?