Leeds boss Daniel Farke gets his wish as Manor Solomon stars in Norwich win

Leeds reclaimed top spot in the Championship with a 2-0 win over Norwich courtesy of a Manor Solomon masterclass to warm up for next week’s clash with promotion rivals Burnley

Injury-doubt Manor Solomon scored the quickest goal of the Championship season as Leeds boss Daniel Farke admitted: “I wanted to send a message.”

The on-loan Tottenham wideman took just 31 seconds to open the scoring last night as United regained top spot.

It is becoming a common theme for him. The Israeli international struck after only three minutes in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday. However, he suffered a hamstring strain in that game and needed a scan on Monday.

Farke wasn’t expected to name him against Norwich but said: “Sometimes I have to surprise you guys – and be a bit unpredictable!

“The scan was OK, Manor had enough time to recover and the time to our game next Monday is enough, too.

“It’s a massive game against Burnley [but] I wanted to send a message that this [Norwich] is an important game and we don’t under-estimate any team. You’re always a bit nervous. But my gut feeling was we needed to send a message.

“It was not our most exciting game or our most shining performance. But we literally gave them no chances.”

Leeds, in general, love a swift start at Elland Road, often going ahead in the opening exchanges. It’s what happens afterwards that sometimes leaves fans nervous.

Despite pressure galore against injury-hit Norwich, they looked like they were struggling to gain a game-clinching second goal. But Solomon came up trumps again to ease any lingering nerves of being on the end of a smash and grab raid. The 25 year-old curled in a delicious cross that eluded all the visiting defence and allowed unmarked Dan James to strike in the 65th minute.

It was United’s 12th home win of the season and they have only dropped two points since their last defeat at Elland Road in September.

Farke twice won the Championship title with Norwich and increasingly looks likely to gain another promotion with his current side.

Solomon’s was a superb goal, orchestrated with some lovely build-up play. Brenden Aaronson played infield to Jayden Bogle who played it back with an outrageous back-flick for Aaronson to unleash James down the right. James whipped in a cross and Solomon smashed it into the roof of the net. Norwich didn’t know what had hit them.

Leeds would continually gain rewards down the right, outstanding full-back Bogle causing all sorts of problems. Aaronson popped up everywhere and he slipped Joel Piroe through. But the striker took too long to unleash, allowing Shane Duffy to block.

Next, Bogle’s stunning pass did see Piroe get a shot away but keeper Angus Gunn was up to the task.

USA international Aaronson claimed he had a penalty after racing onto another quality pass from Bogle. But referee Matthew Donohue judged there was no contact from Gunn as he slid out.

The injury-hit visitors, who had six Under 21s players on their bench, battled hard enough. But they were limited to a couple of efforts from Onel Hernandez and Kellen Fisher, neither of which troubled Leeds keeper Illan Meslier.

It was Gunn who was called into action again, proving alert to prevent Bogle’s spectacular volley in injury-time. But Norwich were aggrieved the hosts weren’t reduced to ten men.

Ao Tanaka, already on a booking, caught Emiliano Marcondes late in the 50th minute and was lucky not to receive a second yellow card. Norwich boss Johannes Hoff Thorup was fuming on the touchline.

Either way, it was no surprise when Farke replaced midfielder Tanaka – arguably Leeds’ player of the season so far – soon after.

Thorup laughed when asked if Tanaka should have stayed on the pitch. He said: “I had a word with the ref afterwards as I need some kind of explanation. It was a big call. The last thing I want is for it to sound like that’s the reason we lost the game. It’s not.

“It could have changed things. But Leeds were the better side.”

He admitted: “We didn’t get off to the best start. After that we showed some character and courage.

“But we didn’t create enough good chances. I don’t think they created too much in the second but it’s a difficult scenario to be one nil down after a minute.”

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