Monk criticises Leeds United’s first half display, shares what he told his players at half time

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Leeds United beat Norwich City on penalties in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.

Leeds United manager Garry Monk has told BBC Radio Leeds that he was unhappy with his side’s first half performance against Norwich City on Tuesday night.

The Whites played out a dramatic encounter with the Canaries in their EFL Cup tie, with goals from Alex Pritchard and Marcus Antonsson sending the game to extra time at 1-1.

Leeds United players celebrate winning the penalty shoot out

Nelson Oliveira and Chris Wood then traded goals to take the game to penalties, and 10-man Leeds – who were without the injured Lewie Coyle throughout extra time having used all three of their substitutes – pulled out the victory when Ronaldo Vieira converted his winning spot kick after Norwich had failed to score from three of their five penalties.

Leeds are now into the last eight of the EFL Cup, and fans were unsurprisingly ecstatic as they left Elland Road on Tuesday evening, with dreams of a Wembley appearance now firmly in the mind of many supporters.

Leeds manager Garry Monk

After the game though, manager Garry Monk spoke to BBC Radio Leeds, and admitted there were some aspects of the display he wasn’t happy with.

Monk suggested that Leeds’ first half performance was far from good enough, suggesting that Norwich were the better side in the first 45 minutes.

Leeds United manager Garry Monk

The Leeds boss revealed that he spoke ‘very honestly and very openly’ with his players at half time, and was very pleased with how his side responded, stating that the second half performance was ‘fantastic’.

“First half wasn’t good enough, they were the better team,” said Monk. “We didn’t come out of the traps well enough, and weren’t doing enough of what we have been doing. I spoke to them very honestly and very openly at half time, and said I wanted to see us put on the pitch, and we got that. Second half onwards, we were fantastic,” he added.

What did you think of Leeds United’s performance against Norwich City?