Daniel Farke conceded Leeds were not at their best after regaining pole position in the Championship with a 2-0 home win against Norwich.
Manor Solomon scored after just 31 seconds – the quickest goal in the Championship this season – but the hosts had to wait until midway through the second half before Daniel James struck a game-clinching second.
Leeds’ win against Farke’s former club was their 12th in the league at Elland Road this season and lifted them back above overnight leaders Sheffield United.
Farke said: “It was perhaps not our most exciting game, or most shining performance. But we were dominant in our defending behaviour.
“We didn’t give away one opportunity to our opponent, nothing.
“We scored an early goal and sometimes, after so many good wins here at home, last game we scored early, this time we scored in the first minute, and sometimes you think it’s going to be a nice, easy evening.
“If we score first we usually win the game and perhaps you take one step less, one or two per cent less concentrating. We were not good on the details today.”
Leeds are one point above the Blades and next Monday face another promotion rival, Burnley, who are two points further back after their 5-0 win at Plymouth.
The Clarets are the only side to win at Elland Road this season, but Farke played down the significance of his side’s upcoming trip to Turf Moor
Farke added: “Yes, it’s an important game coming, but so was today. We like to speak about ‘massive’ games coming up, but in this league there are so many massive games.
“We beat Leicester last season twice. They are playing in the Premier League. We beat Ipswich last season twice and they are playing in the Premier League.
“These types of games are not decisive for where you finish come next May.”
Injury-hit Norwich’s play-off push has suffered another blow. A four-game unbeaten run has been halted by back-to-back away defeats to the Blades and Leeds.
Boss Johannes Thorup said: “It was a difficult one. Of course, we didn’t get off to the best start, it’s fair to say.
“But after that I think we saw some courage out there and some good character, good personality.
“We tried to get back into the game. We struggled to create chances and even though we were only 1-0 behind, we had to defend a lot.”
Thorup, who has had only 15 senior players available for his side’s last two matches, added: “The structure is not right. We don’t cover enough space and we don’t have enough lines in our pressing.
“It’s a top team, Leeds, and they find those tight spaces and get in behind you.”
