Leeds United maintained their opening day undefeated record with a 1-0 victory over Norwich City at Elland Road.
A David Healy penalty in the 41st minute secured the points for the Whites, however heroics from debutant Tony Warner and a man-of-the-match performance from Matt Kilgallon also proved to be the match winner for United.
If Norwich were ever to get a result then it would be through the lively Robert Earnshaw, however the striker failed to take advantage of his chances.
As usual Leeds managed a win despited being on the back foot for most of the game, Norwich looked convincing despite Leeds taking the points.
David Healy shot wide early on after good build up play from Gary Kelly and Eirik Bakke.
Warner made a vital save in the seventh minute from Earnshaw being played in by Huckerby after a mistake from Shawn Derry. Warner was off his line and managed to block Earnshaws 10-yard effort.
Earnshaw missed again from 10-yards in the 23rd minute when he was set up by Carl Robinson, fortunatly for the Whites the stirker managed to poke it wide.
Four minutes later the lively Earnshaw released a shot from 20-yards but it came back off the post.
Geoff Horsfield almost got a debut goal in the 33rd minute but his 8-yard shot was tipped over by Paul Gallacher.
The break for Leeds came in the 41st minute when Lee Croft blatently brought down Steve Stone in the Norwich penalty area, David Healy stepped up and cooly despatched the spot-kick, a perfect present on his 27th birthday.
Warner again made a save from Earnshaw just after half-time when the former West Brom man hit a snap-shot from 20-yards.
Soon after Lee Croft managed to get the ball to an unmarked Earnshaw but he headed straight at Warner from 8-yards.
Earnshaw was unlucky again towards the end when he was denied by the woodwork for a second time.
Boss Kevin Blackwell said after the game ‘It’s always important to get your first three points and there are none better than your first day at home’
‘We knew it would be a tough start against Norwich, they’ve kept a settled squad and they finished well last season.
‘We’re in a whole new season now with a whole new team and I think we can only get better as the season goes on.’
Player Ratings
Tony Warner
7/10
Gary Kelly
6/10
Paul Butler
6/10 (Booked 27mins)
Matthew Kilgallon
8/10
Stephen Crainey
7/10
Steve Stone
6/10
Eirik Bakke
7/10
Shaun Derry
6/10
Eddie Lewis
6/10
David Healy
7/10 (Booked 24mins – Scored 41mins)
Geoff Horsfield
6/10
Ian Moore
4/10 (on for Crainey 85mins)
Ian Westlake
4/10 (on for Bakke 77mins)
4/10 (on for Healy 68mins)