In a tense goalless draw, Leeds United and Norwich City battled out the first leg of the Championship play-off semifinals. Both sides found it difficult to generate open opportunities at Carrow Road due to the intense heat.

On Thursday at 8 p.m., Elland Road will host the second leg of the tie. Up for grabs is a trip to Wembley for a showcase final.

The national media’s analysis of United’s match in East Anglia is as follows.

Daily Mirror – Mike Walters

Daniel Farke honoured Hollywood actor Will Ferrell’s significant investment in Leeds with a traditional Elf ‘n’ safety show.

Even though goalless brawls involving £200 million in prize money for promotion are rarely the source of captivating entertainment, Farke was delighted to see and hear Norwich, his old haunt, shut out in the Championship play-off semifinal.

In addition, Leeds will be the favourites to win at Wembley because Ferrell, who portrayed the main role in the popular Christmas film Elf, will be travelling to the boardroom at Elland Road. Nevertheless, Farke hasn’t yet called out the odds. Because so many ambitions have fallen short, the city that gave us rock icons the Kaiser Chiefs has also given us football’s Khasi Chiefs.

Leeds has never advanced through the play-offs, having lost the first-ever high-wire joust with Charlton 37 years ago, two finals (to Watford and Doncaster), two semi-finals (to Millwall and Derby).

Both sets of supporters greeted Farke with great applause following a lacklustre first leg. Farke guided Norwich to the Championship title twice.

The Telegraph – Jon West

Daniel Farke blasted the referees for not allowing a goal from Leeds that he felt should have stood and asserted that his team would have returned to the Premier League by now if VAR had been implemented in the Championship this year.

Leeds, who were relegated the previous season, are the favourites to advance to Wembley after a lacklustre first-leg play-off semifinal matchup that produced few clear-cut opportunities.

The first came to the visitors in the thirty-first minute when Junior Firpo was given an open goal by Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn and center-back Shane Duffy.

However, referee Josh Smith disqualified it due to a flag that was raised against Georginio Rutter during the build-up. Television replays appeared to indicate that the call was valid, but slightly off. Before being fired, Farke guided Norwich to promotions to the Premier League in 2019 and 2021. He was confident that alternative technologies would show differently.

He remarked, “I was told by someone that Sky had shown a picture that they claimed proved it was offside.” “I advise everyone to check out the scouting feed, which has an appropriate line. It wasn’t infractional.

The Sun – Justin Allen

Now that Leeds has returned to Elland Road with honours, Daniel Farke will be the happier manager. Leeds eased the pain and kept their opponents at a distance in the Championship play-off semi-final, which began at a fast tempo with the Canaries mostly in control.

Furthermore, a questionable Junior Firpo score for Leeds was given an offside call.

Given that Norwich had not lost at home in 16 games coming into this game, many believed this was their best opportunity to defeat Leeds.

On Thursday night, Leeds is suddenly the favourite to win at Elland Road because they have one of the poorest away records in the league.

Sky Sports – Simeon Gholam

Following a goalless draw in the first leg, Norwich and Leeds find themselves in a tight semifinal match in the Championship play-offs.

Even though there was a 17-point difference between them in the league position, they were unable to part ways at Carrow Road.

Leeds may feel like they have the advantage going into the second leg at home, but they should be mindful of their own dismal play-off record, having missed out on promotion on each of their five play-off appearances.

A mix-up between Shane Duffy and Angus Gunn gave the visitors the opportunity to take the lead just before halftime, but Junior Firpo’s strike was foiled by the offside flag.

Leeds manager Daniel Farke was not holding back in his criticism of the referees’ work when he spoke to Sky Sports following the game, even if replays appeared to support the verdict. Farke felt the goal should have stood.