Phil Hay details what happened outside Leeds hotel before Norwich clash

The “oldest prank in the book” was played on Leeds United ahead of their playoff semi-final clash with Norwich City, as fireworks were set off outside the Whites’ hotel in the early hours of the morning, according to The Athletic’s Phil Hay.

The report on 13 May reveals that fireworks were set off near Sprowston Hall – the hotel the Leeds squad were staying at – at around 1am and 4am.

Can Leeds United beat Norwich City and reach the playoff final?

The first leg of Leeds’ clash with Norwich was a cagey affair, to say the least.

The Whites saw more of the ball, as is customary for them under former Norwich head coach Daniel Farke, but racked up a mere 0.25 xG across the 90 minutes at Carrow Road

If some may see that as evidence that the fireworks prank was a success, Norwich did not fare much better on their own patch, registering just 0.51 xG themselves.

The two sides produced a combined three shots on target in a game where both teams looked more intent on not losing rather than winning.

Leeds even deployed a midfield three of Archie Gray, Glen Kamara and Ilia Gruev behind Georginio Rutter, who has spent much of the season behind the centre-forward, in a clear effort to improve solidity in the centre of the park.