Leeds United have booked their place at Wembley on May 26 after beating Norwich City in the play-off semi-finals and both Junior Firpo and Illan Meslier have reacted on Instagram.
Following Sunday’s 0-0 draw, it was expected to be another tight affair between Leeds and Norwich at Elland Road come Thursday night. But, it proved to be the exact opposite as Leeds cruised past Norwich.
Ilia Gruev scored his first goal with a clever free-kick, before Joel Piroe headed a home a Willy Gnonto cross. Georginio Rutter hammered home a third and Crysencio Summerville made it four after the break.
There was initially a sense of relief after Gruev and then Piroe’s goals at Elland Road last night, before it turned into a party atmosphere when Leeds went three and four ahead and it should have been more.
That was one of Daniel Farke’s two complaints after the full-time whistle, that Leeds were not particularly clinical in the final third depie their four goals. David Wagner has since been sacked by Norwich City.
On Friday, both Firpo and Meslier have sent messages to Leeds fans on Instagram this afternoon:
Firpo sends message to Leeds fans on Instagram, still a job to do
Firpo, 27, has been sensational for Leeds since the turn of the year as Farke brought in a number of players at the midway point that had either been injured, or warming the Leeds bench before January.
Injured for much of the first half of the season, Dominican Republic star Firpo has since laid on eight assists for Leeds in 2024 with his eighth coming on Thursday for Summerville to score our fourth goal.
The left-back took to Instagram on Friday, urging fans to enjoy the win over Norwich but also telling supporters that the squad remain focused ahead of the final against West Brom or Southampton.
His captain read: “What an atmosphere, what a team. Enjoy it but the job it’s not done, Let’s finish it.”
Illan Meslier thanks Leeds fans with a post on his Instagram page
Meslier, meanwhile, has had his critics but on Thursday he kept his 21st Championship clean sheet of the season. Simon Grayson said Meslier produced one of the best moments of his career on Thursday night.
The French goalkeeper was hardly involved in terms of saves last night but he produced one crucial stop, palming Josh Sargent’s chip away after a Ethan Ampadu’s mistake, Daniel Farke said it was world class.
He posted on Instagram too, with the caption: “One more to go. Thank you Elland Road for this wonderful atmosphere.”