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

Leeds United narrowly escaped another shock defeat in the FA Cup third round against Cardiff City as Sonny Perkins came on to score the equalizer in extra time.

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

Cardiff’s Joel Pagan was sent off for handball but Rodrygo saved Jack Alnwick’s penalty.

Then, just as the hosts looked to be holding on to another famous victory over Leeds – 21 years after doing so at the same stage on the then Premier League leaders – Perkins scored from close range to break Cardiff’s late resistance.

Boreham Wood or Accrington Stanley waiting for Cardiff or Leeds in Fourth round After a brutal end to the game for the Bluebirds, who looked poised for a first victory in eight games, it would have provided a respite from their league woes.

As for Leeds, Perkins’ late level is a lifeline for coach Jesse Marsh, whose team has so far gone six matches without winning in all competitions. A defeat here would have greatly increased the pressure on the Americans.

This match evoked memories of Cardiff’s then Third Division victory in the 2002 FA Cup over an intensely assembled Leeds side who were top of the Premier League at the time.

Since that historic result, Cardiff has won 14 of the 22 subsequent meetings between the two teams, but given their struggles in the championship this season, confidence was lacking in the Welsh capital.

Leeds were on a losing streak of their own – five games in all competitions – and a concern for Marsh’s men was also their miserable FA Cup record, losing at the third round stage in each of the past five seasons, including shock defeats before. Newport County and Crawley Town.

Marsh said he had spoken with chief executive Angus Kinnear about it and Leeds fans clearly fancied a trophy, selling their allotment of 6,000 and creating a buzz that drowned out the home crowd for extended periods.

The Leeds players looked similarly fired up as they dominated the opening exchanges, Darko Giappi dazzling in midfield with an early shot that went just wide of the goal and a knitting effort that ended with an effort saved by Jack Simpson.

But despite the visitors’ early dominance, it was Cardiff who took the lead against the course of play. Tom Sang freed Mark Harris with a fine through ball, and after his shot was saved by Joel Robles, Harris chipped in Isaac Davies. His shot was also blocked, but the ball fell to Villogen, who fired from close range.

Having scored just 20 goals in 26 league games this season, the lowest scorer in the tournament is a brace in seven minutes against their Premier League rivals.

The second was an absolutely fantastic affair, with Andy Rinmohota’s brilliant pass catching the head of Leeds centre-back Diego Llorente before reaching Ojo who fired the ball away before finishing intelligently.

Leeds were booed in the first half and their fans’ anger had the needed effect after the restart as their side put Cardiff under constant pressure with a string of chances.

First, Pascal Stroijk headed home before top scorer Rodrygo, a recent substitute, rose to meet Sam Greenwood’s cross and head home despite an Alnwick touch.

Rodrygo fired another shot before taking the lead in one of the crucial moments of the match.

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

Shocked Cardiff fans celebrated with a newfound faith that their side were poised to claim another scalp in the FA Cup, but it was a boisterous traveling Leeds side who had the last laugh as Perkins assisted the ball into the net to spark wild celebrations behind the goal and force a Leeds side into action. replay.