FA Cup Third Round

Cardiff City 2 (Philogene 25’, Ojo 31’)

Leeds United 2 (Rodrigo 65’, Perkins 90’)

Cardiff: Alnwick (GK), Sang, Nelson, Simpson, Bagan, Rinomhota, Sawyers (Wintle 77’), Ojo (Ralls 86’), Philogene (O’Dowda 77’), Harris (NG 86’), Davies (Tanner 63’). Subs not used: Allsop (GK), L. Benjamin, Nkounkou, Wigley. 

Leeds: Robles (GK), Firpo, Aaronson (Perkins 86’), Summerville (Rodrigo 59’), Llorente, Gyabi (Wober 59’), Struijk (C), Kristensen (Drameh 59’), Gnonto, Gelhardt (Joseph 73’), Greenwood. Subs not used: Klaesson (GK), Ayling, Roca, Harrison.

Venue: Cardiff City Stadium

Attendance: 20,324

Referee: Jarred Gillett

Booked: Sang, Bagan (Cardiff) Gnonto, Struijk, Greenwood (Leeds)

Sent-off: Bagan (Cardiff) 

Leeds United played their first match in the Emirates FA Cup this season, travelling away from home to South Wales, taking on Cardiff City in the third round of the competition. 

Jesse Marsch’s side had to battle back from behind in the match, coming from two-goals down at the interval to force a third round replay in a match full of chances and drama.

Leeds started the match brightly and were on the front foot early on, looking to push forward and create chances. Efforts from Darko Gyabi and Crysencio Summerville came close to opening the scoring, but they were both cleared. 

After that, the game changed as Cardiff took the lead in the match with two quick goals, which would allow them to control the tempo for the rest of the half.  

Mark Harris broke in behind the United defence and saw his initial effort saved well by Joel Robles. From the rebound he crossed it back into the box though, where Jaden Philogene was well-placed to slot home from close range for the first goal of the game. 

The second goal for the hosts followed six minutes later. A chipped ball over top from Andy Rinomhota was well controlled by Sheyi Ojo on his chest, before the Cardiff forward fired into the roof of the net to double the advantage. 

Despite a number of set-piece opportunities and possession in the game, Leeds couldn’t find a way back before the interval. They went in at the break two-goals behind and with work to do. 

HALF TIME: Cardiff City 2-0 Leeds United

The first 15 minutes or so of the first half saw no real chances on goal. Marsch went to his bench just before the hour mark and brought on new signing Max Wober, along with top-scorer Rodrigo and former Cardiff loanee, Cody Drameh.  

The changes offered the match fresh impetus and they were into the game straight away. With almost his first touch in a white shirt, Wober saw a powerful effort blocked. Seconds later, Pascal Struijk’s header went narrowly wide from a pinpoint Sam Greenwood corner.  

Greenwood’s next ball into the box brought Leeds back into the match. A quick set-play taken with Willy Gnonto saw the former chip the ball into the middle where Rodrigo leapt highest, heading home to reduce the deficit. 

The travelling 6,000 or so in the packed out away end behind the goal were in fine voice as always, offering as much support as they could to their team who were in pursuit of a comeback in this FA Cup clash.  

With 10 minutes remaining, Cardiff were reduced to 10 players. Junior Firpo had pushed up from the back and his shot was heading into the back of the net, but a deliberate handball on the line from Joel Bagan saw him sent-off and a penalty awarded.

Rodrigo was the player to take the spot-kick, but the forward’s powerful effort was well saved and pushed wide of the post by Jak Alnwick in the Cardiff goal, keeping his side ahead in the match. 

Further changes off the bench came as Mateo Joseph and Sonny Perkins entered, with Leeds still looking for a leveller. Joseph had a great chance with just a few minutes to go, firing over the bar from Rodrigo’s ball into the box. 

With five minutes of added time announced, there was still to be one last chance though, and again it was a substitute who would make the difference. 

Gnonto burst down the wing and crossed into the box, Firpo flicked the ball on into a dangerous area and Perkins was perfectly placed to cleverly fire into the back of the net. 

The 6,000 travelling fans erupted in celebration and the full-time whistle went shortly after, meaning the two teams will do it again in a replay, at Elland Road. 

FULL TIME: Cardiff City 2-2 Leeds United