Leeds United chairman reaction amid transfer success and Daniel James chat in moments missed
Leeds United rather cruised to a 2-0 victory over Norwich City on Wednesday evening to jump back to the top of the Championship.
The Canaries failed to muster a shot on target after being left shell-shocked when Manor Solomon fired home inside a minute. Daniel James made sure of the points on 65 minutes when he converted Solomon’s cross from the angle.
The victory means United are now unbeaten in 10 Championship matches and now turn their attention to Monday, when they travel to Turf Moor to take on promotion rivals Burnley. Here are three things supporters may have missed during Wednesday's game.
READ MORE: What Daniel Farke said on Pascal Struijk injury update, a new No.10 and Burnley
READ MORE: Louie Barry to Leeds United latest - Aston Villa contract, transfer stance and Celtic competition
Chipper chiefs
United chairman Paraag Marathe was spotted in attendance at the match alongside club CEO Angus Kinnear. The pair have been in frequent dialogue with Daniel Farke over potential transfer opportunities this window, taking an opportunistic approach to the market.
They watched on as their summer signings Jayden Bogle and Solomon delivered the goods on the night. The camera panned towards Marathe and Kinnear with the hosts 2-0 up and the duo were all smiles, and sharing pleasantries.
Bogle and James chat
Bogle and James combined seamlessly on the right during the game, as they have done for much of this season. The pair had Emiliano Marcondes and Ben Chrisene backtracking on numerous occasions, especially in the first half.
Brenden Aaronson was floored in the 17th minute and required treatment, which allowed the pair to walk towards the touchline for a drink and share a brief chat about the state of play at 1-0 up. Afterwards, Bogle played even more balls forward with pace, allowing United in a couple of times.
Whether that small chat had anything to do with it will perhaps not be known. But Bogle and James have a connection that every other manager in the division would love to have.
Farke’s plea
Ao Tanaka was fortunate to stay on the pitch in the second half. Already on a caution, the midfielder chopped down Marcondes not long after half-time, but referee Matthew Donohue played advantage.
The official decided not to book Tanaka and instead give him a stern word. It was no surprise to see him taken off just moments later.
The laws of the game state that “advantage should not be applied in situations involving… a second cautionable offence unless there is a clear opportunity to score a goal”. However, Farke clearly believed advantage was played as the referee did not deem the challenge a second bookable offence.
He went over to the fourth official to hold a deep conversation amidst the protests from the Norwich bench. Farke said afterwards that while Tanaka was ‘naive’ he did not believe the 26-year-old deserved to be given his marching orders.