Leeds United have cruised into the Championship playoff final thanks to a resounding 4-0 win over Norwich City on Thursday night.
Daniel Farke’s Whites drew 0-0 with the Canaries at Carrow Road last week, so it was all to play for in the second leg at Elland Road.
It didn’t take Leeds long to break the deadlock as Ilia Gruev completely caught the Norwich defence out with a quick free kick in the seventh minute.
And in the 20th minute, Leeds doubled their advantage, Wilfried Gnonto delivering a pinpoint cross into the box that Joel Piroe headed home.
Leeds continued to turn the screw and bagged a third against the beleaguered visitors late on in the first half, effectively ending the game as a contest.
Crysencio Summerville went to ground in the box under pressure from two defenders but still managed to hook the ball towards Georginio Rutter, who made no mistake from close range.
The 22-year-old hadn’t been in great form over the past few weeks, but he made amends for it with a great display complete with a goal.
BBC Radio Leeds pundit and former Whites defender Aidy White loved what he saw from Rutter and sung his praises following his goal.
What did Aidy White say about Leeds star Georginio Rutter?
“It’s a tidal wave of pressure, of quality in that final third from Leeds,” said White, as per the BBC Sport website.
“It’s like the start of the season where they would blow teams out of the water in the first-half and kill the game in the second.
“I’d like to see more tempo in the next half but let’s be smart and kill off the game.
“Georginio Rutter has grabbed the game by the horns and said ‘it’s my night tonight, I’m going to do what I’m going to do’.
“The fact that he wants the ball with all this criticism he’s been having – the audacity.”
Leeds went on to completely end the game as a contest on 68 minutes, Summerville slotting home from Junior Firpo’s cutback.
Rutter delivered arguably his best performance since the international break and played a big role in helping Leeds to the playoff final.
As per Sofascore, he won five ground duels, completed four dribbles, had two shots on target, and chipped in with two clearances and one interception, as well as his goal obviously.
Perhaps the £34,000-a-week ace (Salarysport) returned from his hernia operation too soon, but now he certainly looks back to his best.