Leeds United ended a 23-year wait for an FA Cup quarter-final appearance with a commanding 3-0 win over Norwich City at Elland Road. Goals from Sean Longstaff, Gabriel Gudmundsson, and Joël Piroe secured the victory, sending Leeds into the last eight for the first time since 2003.
The hosts dominated from the outset, with Lukas Nmecha heavily involved in early chances. A first-half goal from Nmecha was disallowed after VAR ruled Wilfried Gnonto had handled the ball. However, Longstaff broke the deadlock with a stunning volley after a cross from Gudmundsson, who later doubled the lead with a finish from a Daniel James cross.
Norwich, managed by Philippe Clement, struggled to contain Leeds' intensity. Clement made a tactical substitution at half-time, replacing goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw with Vladan Kovacevic, but the visitors failed to mount a sustained comeback. Leeds continued to press, and Piroe sealed the win late on, scoring his first goal of the season after a powerful run from Nmecha.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke praised his side's professionalism, noting the difficulty of making nine changes from the previous match. 'If I could have painted a game day of cup competition, this would be it,' Farke said. 'You can't take going through for granted.'
The victory puts Leeds within 90 minutes of reaching the semi-finals for the first time since 1987, and a potential return to Wembley for the first time since the 1973 final. Norwich, meanwhile, remain focused on their Championship survival bid under Clement, who has lifted them from bottom of the table to 10 points above the relegation zone.
