Leeds United march on to Wembley after a thumping 4-0 aggregate win over Norwich City in the Championship play-off semi-finals, and it wasn’t just Whites fans pleased by the result.In a post on X [16 May], Ipswich Town forward Ali Al-Hamadi mocked Norwich’s Jonathan Rowe, repeating a remark Rowe had used to bait Ipswich after their East Anglian derby win last month.Al-Hamadi has enjoyed a rapid rise through the pyramid, going from non-league to the Premier League in two years after earning promotion with Town – something their bitter rivals from Norfolk haven’t been able to achieve.On 6 April, Rowe posted “Pathetic fallacy” on his X account in a mocking tone towards Ipswich.Iraqi striker Al-Hamadi responded with the same words to the delight of Tractor Boys fans, and a few of the Leeds faithful who are in great spirits with a Wembley showdown to come against either Southampton or West Brom.Daniel Farke’s side were incredible on the night with the tie over before half-time of the second leg at Elland Road, as they now attempt to end the play-off hoodoo and secure an immediate Premier League return.Leeds United show play-off mettle at long lastLeeds United’s ruthless performance against Norwich certainly expelled a few demons from five years ago as Frank Lampard got the better of Marcelo Bielsa in West Yorkshire.The electric atmosphere had Farke’s men flying from the off, and the sea of white at Wembley to come will be a daunting prospect for the winner of Friday night’s (17 May) other semi-final.The wave of emotion from Thursday’s (16 May) victory probably has the Leeds squad wishing the final were a few days sooner, and they must maintain that tempo heading down to Wembley.Three of the last four sides to be promoted from the Championship play-offs have been the third-placed team in the division, reinforcing the evidence that the ability to come third and just fall short of the automatics outranks momentum from underdogs who sneak into fifth or sixth on the crest of a wave.Leeds can take solace from that – and it’s not difficult to when you see the calibre of their squad at this level.If your Rutters, your Summervilles, your Gnontos of this world perform, you would have to back Leeds for a spot back in the big time.
