Not just Whites supporters were happy with Leeds United’s 4-0 aggregate victory over Norwich City in the Championship play-off semi-finals, as they go to Wembley.
Ali Al-Hamadi, a forward for Ipswich Town, made fun of Jonathan Rowe of Norwich in a post on X [16 May]. Rowe had previously used the same joke to tease Ipswich following their victory in the East Anglian rivalry the previous month.
Following his promotion with Town, Al-Hamadi went from non-league to the Premier League in two years, an accomplishment their fierce rivals from Norfolk haven’t been able to match.
On April 6, Rowe mockingly wrote “Pathetic fallacy” about Ipswich on his X account.
To the excitement of the Tractor Boys supporters and some of the Leeds supporters who are feeling upbeat ahead of their upcoming Wembley match against either Southampton or West Brom, Iraqi striker Al-Hamadi answered with the same remarks.
Daniel Farke’s team performed admirably that evening, winning the match at Elland Road before the second leg’s halftime. They will now look to break the play-off curse and get back into the Premier League right away.
Leeds United finally demonstrates playoff potential
Frank Lampard defeated Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United’s merciless display against Norwich surely drove out some demons from five years ago in West Yorkshire.
Farke’s team was flying from the start thanks to the electrifying atmosphere, and the victor of the other semi-final on Friday night, May 17, will have a difficult time navigating the sea of white at Wembley.
The Leeds team is likely hoping the final was a few days sooner after Thursday’s (16 May) triumph, and they will need to keep up this pace all the way to Wembley.
The third-placed team in the division has been promoted three times out of the last four teams promoted from the Championship play-offs, supporting the theory that momentum from underdogs who sneak into fifth or sixth on the crest of a wave is less significant than the ability to finish third and just miss the automatic promotion.
That gives Leeds comfort, and it’s easy to do so given the caliber of their team at this point.
You would have to support Leeds to return to the big time if your Rutters, Summervilles, and Gnontos of this world performed.
Three players are rumored to have said their final goodbyes to Elland Road, according to other Leeds news.
