Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round

Leeds United 1 (Anthony 31’)

Plymouth Argyle 1 (Randell 73’)

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Ampadu, Cooper (C), Piroe, Anthony, Rodon, Shackleton (Bamford 82’), Georginio (Joseph 89’), Byram (Firpo 82’), Gnonto (Poveda 74’), Gruev. Subs not used: Klaesson (GK), Christy (GK), Cresswell, Kamara, Gelhardt.

Plymouth: Hazard (GK), Mumba, Hardie, Whittaker (C), Wright (Bundu 56’), Miller (Sorinola 77’), Gibson, Randell, Galloway, Phillips (Pleguezuelo 85’), Roberts (Butcher 56’). Subs not used: Burton (GK), Scarr, Edwards, Waine, Issaka. 

Referee: Lewis Smith

Booked: Anthony (Leeds) 

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 35,247

Leeds United faced Plymouth Argyle in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round on Saturday afternoon, in a cup-clash between two Sky Bet Championship outfits.  

After Jaidon Anthony had opened the scoring in the first half, the visitors scored an equaliser in the second and sent the match to a replay, to determine who would progress into the fifth round. 

Daniel Farke’s side started on top in front of a sell-out Elland Road crowd. The first major opening was created by Georginio Rutter, who burst towards the box.

Anthony raced onto Georginio’s pass and shot low at goal, striking the foot of the post. The ball rebounded to Willy Gnonto who then had the follow up effort, but his strike was tipped onto the crossbar! 

The pressure kept coming and Joel Piroe was the next to test Conor Hazard, which the ‘keeper saved well, before he then saved again moments later to deny Ilia Gruev’s strike.

It would take half an hour, but Leeds would deservedly take the lead, and in style! Anthony went on a superb run, cutting in from the wing, beating multiple players and curling into the bottom corner.

Farke’s side had controlled the majority of the first half play and Illan Meslier between the posts for United had been forced to do very little. However, despite the dominance, no more goals arrived before the break. 

HALF TIME: Leeds United 1-0 Plymouth Argyle

No changes were made on either side as the second 45 minutes began, with both teams continuing their search of a way through to the fifth round of the competition.

Just after the hour mark in a second half that had lacked any real chances, a huge piece of defensive work from Sam Byram was needed. Plymouth had pushed forward and Meslier was lobbed by Ryan Hardie with a clever effort, but alert to the danger, Byram raced back towards the goal-line to head the ball clear. 

Then with 20 minutes remaining, Leeds had a good chance of their own. Joel Piroe linked up well with Georginio, who played the ball into the box for Gnonto, but the forward struck his effort over the bar.

The away side then equalised in the tie with their next attack. Adam Randell collected the ball in space, in the box, and finished the chance well with a left-footed strike. Farke went straight to his bench following the goal, with Ian Poveda coming into the attack, replacing Gnonto. 

Hazard was tested again with 10 minutes to go. Anthony was looking for his second of the game with a similar effort to his opener, cutting inside and shooting, only to see this one turned away by the ‘keeper.  

The Whites then made a double change. Patrick Bamford and Junior Firpo were brought on, with Byram and Jamie Shackleton going off. 

With his first touch, our number nine powered a header from Anthony’s corner at goal, only for Hazard to make another good save. The Plymouth ‘keeper would then produce quality again, tipping over Gruev’s curling strike at full-stretch moments later.   

Despite the best efforts of each side, the teams couldn’t be separated and that meant the full-time whistle brought the game to a close, meaning a replay will be needed. 

Prior to that replay, the draw for the fifth round will take place live on ITV on Sunday 28 January 2024, at approximately 2.10pm during ITV1’s build-up to Liverpool vs Norwich City.

FULL TIME: Leeds United 1-1 Plymouth Argyle