FA Cup Third Round: Cardiff City 2-2 Leeds United – The visitors fight for a draw

Leeds United narrowly escaped one other shock defeat within the FA Cup third spherical in opposition to Cardiff Metropolis as Sonny Perkins got here on to attain the equalizer in further time.

Leeds responded with boos within the first half and substitute Rodrygo responded with a header.

Cardiff’s Joel Pagan was despatched off for handball however Rodrygo saved Jack Alnwick’s penalty.

Then, simply because the hosts holding on to a different well-known victory over Leeds – 21 years after doing so on the identical stage on the then Premier League leaders – Perkins scored from shut vary to interrupt Cardiff’s late resistance.

Boreham Wooden or Accrington Stanley ready for Cardiff or Leeds in Fourth spherical After a brutal finish to the sport for the Bluebirds, who appeared poised for a primary victory in eight video games, it will have supplied a respite from their league woes.

As for Leeds, Perkins’ late stage is a lifeline for coach Jesse Marsh, whose group has thus far gone six matches with out successful in all competitions. A defeat right here would have vastly elevated the strain on the People.

This match evoked reminiscences of Cardiff’s then Third Division victory within the 2002 FA Cup over an intensely assembled Leeds facet who have been prime of the Premier League on the time.

Since that historic outcome, Cardiff has gained 14 of the 22 subsequent conferences between the 2 groups, however given their struggles within the championship this season, confidence was missing within the Welsh capital.

Leeds have been on a shedding streak of their very own – 5 video games in all competitions – and a priority for Marsh’s males was additionally their depressing FA Cup report, shedding on the third spherical stage in every of the previous 5 seasons, together with shock defeats earlier than. Newport County and Crawley City.

Marsh stated he had spoken with chief government Angus Kinnear about it and Leeds followers clearly fancied a trophy, promoting their allotment of 6,000 and making a buzz that drowned out the house crowd for prolonged intervals.

The Leeds gamers appeared equally fired up as they dominated the opening exchanges, Darko Giappi dazzling in midfield with an early shot that went simply huge of the purpose and a knitting effort that ended with an effort saved by Jack Simpson.

However regardless of the guests’ early dominance, it was Cardiff who took the lead in opposition to the course of play. Tom Sang freed Mark Harris with a high-quality by ball, and after his shot was saved by Joel Robles, Harris chipped in Isaac Davies. His shot was additionally blocked, however the ball fell to Villogen, who fired from shut vary.

Having scored simply 20 targets in 26 league video games this season, the bottom scorer within the match is a brace in seven minutes in opposition to their Premier League rivals.

The second was a fully unbelievable affair, with Andy Rinmohota’s sensible cross catching the pinnacle of Leeds centre-back Diego Llorente earlier than reaching Ojo who fired the ball away earlier than ending intelligently.

Leeds have been booed within the first half and their followers’ anger had the wanted impact after the restart as their facet put Cardiff below fixed strain with a string of probabilities.

First, Pascal Stroijk headed residence earlier than prime scorer Rodrygo, a latest substitute, rose to fulfill Sam Greenwood’s cross and head residence regardless of an Alnwick contact.

Rodrygo fired one other shot earlier than taking the lead in one of many essential moments of the match.

The penalty was stark because it was – Bagan dived like a goalkeeper to deflect Junior Firpo’s shot along with his hand – however Rodrigo’s poor penalty was saved by Alnwick.

Shocked Cardiff followers celebrated with a newfound religion that their facet have been poised to say one other scalp within the FA Cup, nevertheless it was a boisterous touring Leeds facet who had the final snort as Perkins assisted the ball into the online to spark wild celebrations behind the purpose and power a Leeds facet into motion. replay.