Leeds United produced arguably their best performance of the season to beat Norwich City 4-0 in the Championship play-off semi-finals.
The Whites firmly put a difficult end to the season behind them with an emphatic victory at Elland Road to move them to within 90 minutes of an immediate return to Wembley.
In what was a raucous atmosphere, Leeds ended their 37-year wait for a home win the play-offs that was set on its way by a brilliantly executed free-kick from Ilia Gruev.
Joel Piroe, who produced arguably his best display in a Leeds shirt, then doubled the lead shortly after, before Georginio Rutter added a third to end his barren run and cap off an incredible first-half.
Norwich didn’t offer much after the restart and in truth, Leeds could’ve had more goals than just the one they got through Crysencio Summerville.
I was at Elland Road and saw Glen Kamara run the show for Leeds
Leeds were absolutely dominant from start to finish at Elland Road and that is certainly reflected in the statistics.
Daniel Farke‘s side had 11 shots on target in comparison to Norwich’s one, dominated 58 per cent of the ball and were able to snuff out anything the away side offered at source.
Though Leeds’ attacking stars will get the headlines after their return to form, the performance of Glen Kamara should be one that does not go unnoticed.
The £5m ace was named as man of the match in a cagey first leg at Carrow Road, but went up yet another level last night as he completely dominated up against the likes of Gabriel Sara.
He completed 71 passes at a success rate of 93.4 per cent, while also executing all three of his attempted dribbles. His quick feet and thinking were able to get him out of trouble.
Though the stats read that he did not make any tackles, Kamara was constantly chipping at the heels of Norwich’s midfield players any time they got the ball. That sort of tenacity just prevented the away side from being able to build up any attacks.
Even if he does refuse to shoot whenever he gets the chance, his link-up play down the left with Firpo and Summerville is also so key to how Leeds sustain attacks.
It was an absolutely monumental performance by him over the two legs and a timely return to form after a brief period out of the team at the end of the season.
Leeds are a better team with Kamara in it
In those matches Kamara was out of the team, it became clear pretty quickly that Leeds are a better side with him in it.
A midfield pairing of Archie Gray and Gruev just does not offer the same level of control on the ball, and it played a big part in Leeds shipping seven goals in matches at QPR and Middlesbrough.
His performances over the two legs make him a certain starter in the final and if it is against Southampton, his passing will be key against a side who love to keep possession.