Emirtates FA Cup Third Round

Crawley Town 3 (Tsaroulla 50, Nadesan 53, Tunnicliffe 70)

Leeds United 0

Crawley: Morris, Francomb, Tunnicliffe, Craig, Dallison (M. Wright 91), Matthews (Davies 71), Powell, Hessenthaler (Doherty 91), Tsaroulla (J. Wright 72), Nichols, Nadesan (Watters 72).  Subs not used: McNerney, Frost, Galach, Nelson.

Leeds: Casilla, Alioski, Davis (Raphinha 58), Cooper (Casey 45), Phillips, Shacketon, Struijk (Jenkins 45), Costa, Poveda (Greenwood 58), Hernandez, Rodrigo (Harrison 45). Subs not used: Caprile, Huggins.

Leeds United exited the Emirates FA Cup in the third round, with League Two outfit Crawley Town producing a big upset at The People’s Pension Stadium.

Head coach Marcelo Bielsa made seven changes from the side which lost to Tottenham Hotspur last time out, with Ezgjan Alioski, Kalvin Phillips, Rodrigo and Pascal Struijk the only survivors, whilst captain Liam Cooper returned from injury.

The hosts made a bright start to the match, with Jack Powell going closest, curling wide from 25 yards.

Leeds’ first opportunity came through Ian Poveda who put a neat cross into the Crawley box, but it was just out of the reach of striker Rodrigo.

The Whites continued to grow into the game, Rodrigo saw a shot blocked which led to Pablo Hernandez striking off target, before Ezgjan Alioski reached the byline and cut the ball back to Ian Poveda who was denied by a superb save from Glenn Morris.

Following some more brilliant build up from Leeds, Rodrigo saw a penalty appeal turned down after appearing to be pushed as a cross came in from Helder Costa, before he saw a strike deflect wide as the Whites continued to pressure.

Rodrigo again went close seven minutes before the break. Hernandez played the ball to him on the edge of the box and he struck an effort on the turn, which went just wide.

Just before the break, Crawley nearly took the lead. Powell whipped in a corner and Tom Nichols rose highest to meet it, but Kiko Casilla made a superb stop to keep the scores level.

HALF TIME: Crawley Town 0-0 Leeds United

Bielsa made three changes at the break, with Jack Jenkins coming on for his Leeds debut, alongside Oliver Casey and Jack Harrison, replacing Cooper, Rodrigo and Pascal Struijk.

The home side took the lead five minutes into the second half, Nick Tsaroulla drove forwards and after breaking into the box found the bottom corner.

Two minutes later Crawley doubled the lead, with Ashley Nadesan working his way into the Leeds area and firing home from a narrow angle.

Leeds almost got back into the match when Hernandez sent Jamie Shackleton into the box and his cross went just beyond Costa at the back post.

Leeds introduced Sam Greenwood and Raphinha following the two goals to get a foothold back in the game, but it was Sam Matthews who attempted to put the hosts three goals ahead, seeing his strike deflect wide.

The hosts went further ahead in the 70^th minute from a free kick.  Casilla denied Nadesan from close range but could do nothing to prevent Jordan Tunicliffe from smashing home the rebound.

Crawley substitute Max Watters almost added a fourth when he broke in behind and rounded Casilla, but Casey got back to make a crucial block.

Raphinha fired over from distance for Leeds late on, in what proved to be a miserable afternoon for the Whites.

FULL TIME: Crawley Town 3-0 Leeds United

Booked: Hessenthaler (Crawley) Phillips (Leeds)

Referee: Peter Bankes

Venue: The People’s Pension Stadium

Attendance: Behind-closed-doors