Norwich City goalkeeper Tim Krul controversially dodged a red card as his side comprehensively leapfrogged over Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United to the top of the Championship on Saturday night. The away-day specialists stunned Marcelo Bielsa’s frontrunners with a goal in each half from Mario Vrancic and another strike from their leading scorer Teemu Pukki. The Canaries now lead the table on goal difference but Leeds were left fuming after 26 minutes when Krul rushed outside his area at 1-0 and jumped into Tyler Roberts, felling the striker as he lobbed into the side netting. Teemu Pukki celebrates after doubling Norwich's lead in their victory over Leeds Pukki taps in from after Mario Vrancic's shot is deflected into the Finnish striker's path Though referee Stuart Attwell judged Norwich had defenders covering the goal-line to let Krul off with a booking, the ferocity of challenge itself would probably have led to a dismissal if committed by a defender. The pumped-up Krul then wound up Leeds by celebrating his side's second goal and went head to head with Leeds sub Patrick Bamford as he celebrated his side's win. Looking at the bigger picture however, Leeds must be getting worried that their form is on the wane while Norwich get stronger and stronger. Third-place Sheffield United are only a point behind the pair. Bielsa’s side have now lost five of their last seven games in all competitions while Norwich boss Daniel Farke has seen his side lose only one league game since early October. They have suffered just one defeat on the road all season. Mario Vrancic celebrates with Emi Buendia after his free-kick put Norwich ahead Vrancic's shot took a deflection on its way into the top corner at Elland Road MATCH FACTS AND LINEUPS LEEDS (4-1-4-1): Casilla, Ayling, Jansson, Cooper, Alioski, Forshaw, Roberts (Bamford 63), Harrison (Clarke 45), Klich, Hernandez (Douglas 45), Roofe. Subs not used: Peacock-Farrell, Phillips, Shackleton, Gotts Yellow cards: Roberts, Roofe Scorers: Bamford (90) Manager: Marcelo Bielsa NORWICH (4-2-3-1): Krul, Aarons, Zimmermann, Godfrey, Lewis, Vrancic, Trybull (Tettey 84), Buendia (McLean 85), Stiepermann, Hernandez, Pukki (Rhodes 87). Subs not used: Hanley, Srbeny McGovern, Cantwell Yellow cards: Krul Scorers: Vrancic (5, 78) Pukki (35) Manager: Daniel Farke Attendance: 36,524 Referee: Stuart Attwell With Elland Road housing its first sell-out for two years and the local Yorkshire Evening Post splashing it as “The Showdown” you could smell the anticipation. The teams were first and second at the start of the weekend and both desperate to return to the Premier League where they think they belong. Marcelo Bielsa is the 16th manager Leeds have employed since losing their top-flight status in 2004 – and by far the most charismatic. The Argentine is revered by Pep Guardiola, sits on a bucket to watch games and is thorough enough to ask staff to hide in bushes to watch United’s opponents train. Norwich dropped out of the Premier League more recently, in 2016, but have also surpassed expectations this season under their impressive German coach, Daniel Farke. The wall of noise that greeted kick off was like the Elland Road of old, the days of Billy Bremner through Eric Cantona to Alan Smith and Harry Kewell. A minute’s applause in memory of ex-Leeds striker Phil Masinga and young fans from both teams only added to the emotion. Maybe Leeds were too pumped up. They started on the front foot but when Norwich broke forward for the first time after five minutes, Swedish World Cup defender Pontus Jansson dived into a tackle and gave Mario Vrancic a free-kick opportunity from 25 yards. Leeds' Luke Ayling had a goal ruled out in first half stoppage time after Pontus Jansson was adjudged to have fouled Norwich keeper Tim Krul The Bosnian didn’t waste the invitation, his curler striking Adam Forshaw on the end of the wall and looping over Kiko Casilla into the top corner. It was his sixth goal of the season. Leeds responded in true Bielsa fashion – at full pelt. Tyler Roberts tested Norwich goalkeeper Tim Krul, left-back Ezgjan Alioski broke forward and flashed a shot wide. Forshaw, meant to be most defensively-minded defender in the United line-up, also fired in a strike. Norwich felt aggrieved when Jansson escaped when he caught Marco Stiepermann with a flailing arm though the Canaries player wasn’t badly hurt. But there was even greater controversy shortly before the half-hour mark when Norwich ‘keeper Krul ran outside his box to clatter into Tyler Roberts and the Leeds forward lobbed towards goal. Norwich players celebrate with the travelling fans after Vrancic netted his second goal With Leeds calling for a red card, referee Stuart Attwell produced a yellow, believing that covering defenders prevented it being a goalscoring opportunity. At the other end, Norwich threatened only sporadically – but were dangerous when they did. Casilla, making his home debut after signing from Real Madrid, spread himself well after Emiliano Buendia rode a couple of challenges before eventually getting his shot away. Leeds didn’t heed the warning and after 35 minutes, Norwich struck again. The lively Buendia robbed Forshaw in midfield and led a clever counter. Vrancic shot from the edge of the box and it deflected kindly into the path of Pukki who had a tap-in for his 21st goal of the season and his third in a row. Leeds' Patrick Bamford headed in a late consolation goal after coming on as a substitute Leeds were desperate to get back into the game before the interval but when Luke Ayling did put the ball into the net in injury-time, Mr Attwell ruled it out for a foul by Jansson. Krul had run over towards the Norwich fans to celebrate their second goal, earning a reminder from his skipper Christoph Zimmerman to stay focussed in case Leeds mounted a second-half assault. Bielsa seemed more energised as he came out after the interval, leaving his bucket to venture into the technical area, arms behind his back with a little glare and gesture here and there. The impact on United’s players wasn’t immediately obvious as Norwich tried to take the sting out of the game. Leeds striker Kemar Roofe got a piece of Krul’s mind when he fell over dramatically after a challenge from Zimmerman. It was a wildly ambitious claim for a penalty. Tensions were running high as both teams squared up at the full-time whistle Bielsa sent on striker Patrick Bamford on the hour for his first action of 2019. But worryingly for the home side, Norwich had a great chance to score their third when full-back Max Aarons burst forward and shot wide. Roofe was booked as Leeds frustrations grew. Norwich wrapped up the points after 77 minutes when Jamal Lewis crossed from the left and Vrancic connected first-time with his left foot from 12 yards. Ironically, the 3-0 scoreline at that stage mirrored Leeds United’s win at Carrow Road at the start of the season. On this occasion, Bamford at least did manage a consolation for Leeds by heading in from a corner in injury-time. All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility