Norwich Boss Alex Neil Reflects on EFL Cup Penalty Shoot-Out Defeat

Published on: 25 October 2016

"?Norwich City manager Alex Neil has backed his team after they crashed out on penalties to Leeds United in the EFL Cup.


Speaking to Norwich TV after the game, the manager admitted: "I'm disappointed with the result, particularly with the way we played. 

"I thought we had a lot of good performances. We dominated most of the game; in the second half they had a 20 minute spell which was probably the only stage we didn't dominate possession. 


"The one thing I'd like to think is I'm really honest about how my team performs. I criticise them when I don't think they've performed well and I can't do that tonight. We deserved more than what happened."

? "I thought we deserved more than what happened." #ncfc
Full Alex Neil reaction: https://t.co/lEYtMMMaGP pic.twitter.com/tMxl3q4wQ9

The side has initially taken the lead thanks to a header from Alex Pritchard, before Leeds fought back with a strike from Marcus Antonsson.


Norwich believed they had won the match after Castro Oliveira struck in the 9th minute of extra-time, before Chris Wood dragged the team to a penalty shootout thanks to his goal in the 109th minute.

Leeds vs Norwich last night:

Final score: 2-2
Attendance: 22,222
Game finished at: 22:22 pic.twitter.com/3LlwfOSRx2

But Neil believes that the side should have won the match before the penalty shootout, stating: "We needed to win the match beforehand, and should have won the match beforehand.


"Two incredible errors defensively cost us the game. At the moment we're making errors in crucial times in games which we're getting punished for. 


"It's not a hard luck story. It's about making sure players are concentrating and doing the right things at the right times. 


"We had some real good performances across the piece but ultimately we didn't win." 


Norwich currently sit 4th in the Championship. They next travel to face Brighton in the Championship on Saturday.


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