'Respect them but hit them': Norwich keeper Tim Krul revels in 'massive result' against Leeds

Leeds 1 Norwich City 3

It was a stunning victory built on a few sharp words from Norwich City manager Daniel Farke, a statement of intent, with a dash of disdain, finished off with a reminder that Leeds United are not as good as they think they are.

As much as this might be another case of Leeds falling apart again, as the Norwich supporters sung gleefully after the final whistle, Norwich were brilliant. Brave and bold, they entered the lion’s den and removed all the beast’s teeth.

“Leading up to this game we said that [Leeds will be worried about falling apart again],” said Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul. “Like the hype was massive, but they are not unbeatable.

“The manager made it clear - respect them, be humble, but hit them, because they're not Barcelona. No, they're not."

Krul epitomised Norwich’s feisty approach, wiping out Tyler Roberts in the first half – for which he was a little fortunate to only be shown a yellow card – before becoming embroiled in a shoving match with Leeds goalscorer Patrick Bamford after the final whistle.

Rather than intimidate their visitors from Norfolk, the hostile atmosphere inspired them as first-half goals from the brilliant Mario Vrancic and a 22^nd of the season from striker Teemu Pukki punched Leeds in the solar plexus. Vrancic finished them off with his second of the evening late on.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side suddenly look vulnerable. There was always a fear that the Argentinian’s high energy game and gruelling physical demands would take their toll on Leeds in the second-half of the season. After four defeats in six, they are wobbling and travel to another promotion rival, Middlesbrough next weekend.

Norwich have an East Anglian derby against Ipswich Town to look forward – it could be the last one for a while – and are the Championship’s form side.

“We were confident that we could put in a top display like that,” added Krul. “It's a massive result, we're on a great run now. I think it's one defeat in 16 or 17 games and the one we lost was a fluke against Derby when the floodlights went out.

"The performances at the moment are something to get excited about. This result is a massive statement.”