Leeds landed a first victory under manager Jesse Marsch in stunning fashion as Joe Gelhardt struck in injury time to beat relegation rivals Norwich and send Elland Road into raptures.
The 19-year-old substitute – on the pitch for less than two minutes – turned into an empty net from Raphinha’s assist, serving a brutal blow to Norwich after they had finally levelled through Kenny McLean at the start of injury time.
The thrilling finale served up scenes of contrast as Leeds’ fans jubilantly sang along to Kaiser Chiefs’ ‘I predict a riot’ while Norwich players sat dejected on the turf.
Rodrigo’s first-half goal had looked set be enough to see Leeds end a run of six games without a win but on a day where Raphinha twice truck the bar and where the impressive Daniel James went close, they almost paid for not taking their chances.
Norwich may point to Patrick Bamford appearing to be offside in the build-up to Rodrigo’s opener and they also saw a penalty award overturned shortly before they equalised when referee Stuart Attwell visited the pitch-side monitor.
Ultimately they found a way to level, stunning the Leeds support, but Gelhardt’s contribution moves Marsch’s side four points above the relegation zone while Norwich stay bottom – five points from safety.
The site of Dean Smith’s players at the final whistle spoke of a group who knew how key this remarkable finish may prove.
Norwich’s hopes of survival have been hindered greatly by what is now a six-game losing run, but none of them are likely to sting as much as this.
In the final throws of action Smith sent goalkeeper Tim Krul forward for a corner and striker Teemu Pukki forced a vital save from Illan Meslier in a frenetic ending that pointed to what was at stake.
Marsch deserves credit for his role in the late mayhem as he moved to introduce Gelhardt for Mateusz Klich at a point where the life had been sucked out of the stadium.
When Raphinha rounded Krul the Brazilian was able to give Gelhardt a simple task to lift the gloom that had set in after a 3-0 midweek defeat to Aston Villa.
Against Villa, Leeds suffered the blow of losing four top-flight games in a row without scoring for the first time since March 1982.
It prompted Marsch to state “this is a business for men” and that the way out of relegation trouble would be paved with “courage and belief”.
They showed plenty early on as Rodrigo drilled home via a deflection, Raphinha volleyed against the bar and Pascal Struijk turned over from close range after seeing an initial header saved.
Rodrigo’s goal did not come without controversy as a long ball in the build-up was pursued by Bamford, who appeared offside.
The striker – making his first start since September – did not challenge for the ball but a poor headed clearance allowed the energetic James to turn the ball into Rodrigo’s path.
James whipped an effort at goal after the break to prompt a superb save and Raphinha’s sublime free-kick hit the bar before Norwich had their say.
Their leveller was beautifully worked, with Pukki getting on the end of a fine long diagonal pass to fire a cross into the six-yard box for McLean to turn home.
A draw might have been harsh on Leeds, who showed more energy than their visitors in the final third and ultimately created the better chances.
Norwich are now increasingly staring at the prospect of relegation.
Smith put three games without defeat together when he was appointed in November and another three-game run of form helped their cause in January. They need even more than a pocket of good form after this harsh ending, they will need to find real character when they visit Brighton next.
Leeds, by contrast, will surely be filled with survival optimism.
-bbc
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