Doukara earns point for Leeds United at Norwich

Darko Milanic’s wait for a first win as boss goes on, but Leeds United battled to earn a point in a 1-1 draw with promotion favourites Norwich City at Carrow Road.
Souleymane Doukara celebrates his equaliser against Norwich City. Picture: Bruce RollinsonSouleymane Doukara celebrates his equaliser against Norwich City. Picture: Bruce Rollinson
Souleymane Doukara celebrates his equaliser against Norwich City. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

The Whites trailed early in the second half to a Russell Martin header, but hit back quickly through Souleymane Doukara and held on to bring something back from their long travel to Norfolk.

United did not have the chances they had in their previous game at Rotherham and rode their luck at times, but Marco Silvestri was in good form again and they will be pleased with a point this time.

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After losing at Rotherham head coach Milanic made two changes, handing Brazilian attacking midfielder Adryan his first start and bringing back Sam Bryam in place of Stephen Warnock, with Gaetano Berardi switching to left-back.

Norwich carried the greater threat at the start with Russell Martin and Alex Tettey hitting efforts off target.

United keeper Silvestri made his first save to deny former Leeds skipper Jonny Howson, who was back in the Norwich side after injury.

John Ruddy then saved at the other end after Steven Whittaker had deflected Alex Mowatt’s corner towards his own goal.

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Norwich upped the pace and had several half-chances with Tettey’s shot from distance being comfortably saved by Silvestri, Cameron Jerome firing over and Kyle Lafferty shooting wide.

Silvestri kept the game goalless to half-time when he denied Nathan Redmond then somehow saved from Lafferty at point-blank range.

In the second half positional changes were made, but Leeds came under pressure again and the defence cracked on 59 minutes when Martin headed home from Redmond’s corner.

But a response came quick as United broke forward with purpose and equalised within four minutes, Doukara supplying a calm finish after being played in by Adryan.

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The game settled down again, although Jerome hit a shot wide and Michael Turner headed wide from another dangerous corner. Skilful winger Redmond got a shot in, but Silvestri saved comfortably.

Norwich looked the most likely to win it in the closing stages as Redmond saw a shot deflected wide, but the Leeds defence held on in four minutes of injury-time to gain a valuable away draw.

Match facts

(Martin 59)

(Doukara 63)

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Sky Bet Championship

Attendance: 26,565

Norwich: Ruddy, Whittaker, Martin, Turner, Olsson, Redmond, Tettey, Howson, Murphy (Hooper 60), Lafferty (Odjidja-Ofoe 79), Jerome (Grabban 87).

Leeds: Silvestri, Byram, Bellusci, Pearce, Berardi, Austin, Bianchi, Mowatt (Cook 62), Adryan, Antenucci, Doukara (Sloth 90).

Referee: Mark Clattenberg.