Leeds edge Birmingham on penalties in FA Cup clash
Leeds United advanced to the fifth round of the FA Cup after a tense penalty shootout victory over Birmingham City at St Andrew’s on Sunday, reports BritPanorama.
Lukas Nmecha opened the scoring for Leeds in the 49th minute, finishing smartly following good work from Noah Okafor. However, Birmingham managed to equalise with a deflected strike from Patrick Roberts that forced the match into extra time.
During the additional 30 minutes, both teams had opportunities to secure victory. Leeds’ Dominic Calvert-Lewin had a notable chance saved at the end of extra time, leading to a tense penalty shootout to determine who would progress.
Four penalties were successfully converted by both sides before the fate of the match hinged on the fifth spot-kick. Leeds’ Lucas Perri became the hero by saving Tommy Doyle’s effort, triggering celebrations among the travelling fans. Brenden Aaronson then confidently scored to put Leeds 3-2 up, and Birmingham’s Roberts, who had earlier played a crucial role in sending the match to extra time, missed his chance by firing over the bar.
The defeat will be a bitter pill for Birmingham to swallow. Despite outshooting their opponents with 17 shots, five of which were on target, and having a slight edge in possession, they fell short in the penalty shootout. Leeds, showing their Premier League pedigree, capitalised when it mattered most to secure their place in the next round.
Former Birmingham player Clinton Morrison reflected on the defeat, commenting on Roberts’ missed penalty: “It’s a bad penalty from Patrick Roberts. He’ll be heartbroken.” He also praised Birmingham’s performance, indicating their potential to compete strongly if they achieve promotion this season.
As the FA Cup continues to unfold, Leeds’ progression underlines their determination to break a 53-year wait for the trophy, while Birmingham’s resilience serves as a reminder of the competitiveness within English football’s domestic cup competitions.
