Leeds rally for draw as Marsch gets 1st taste of FA Cup
Jesse Marsch had quite the ride in his first match in the FA Cup.
The American coach saw his Leeds team rally from 2-0 down against second-tier Cardiff to draw 2-2 thanks to an equalizer in the third minute of stoppage time substitute Sonny Perkins in the third round on Sunday.
Rodrigo began Leeds’ recovery pulling a goal back in the 65th before the Spain striker had a penalty saved in the 81st after Cardiff defender Joel Bagan stopped a goal-bound shot from Junior Firpo with his outstretched hand and was shown the red card.
A massive goal for @LUFC ⚪️
Just watch the movement in the box 🤤#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/Jz0hUcC9k7
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 8, 2023
The 18-year-old Perkins came to Rodrigo’s rescue with a close-range goal to send the teams to a replay.
The last time they met in the famous competition was in 2002, when Leeds — the Premier League leader at the time — was stunned a Cardiff team that was in 10th place in the third tier.
Also Sunday, Der advanced to the fourth round beating fellow third-tier team Barnsley 3-0, while there were wins for second-tier teams Stoke and Blackburn.
THE DRAMA 🤯
It’s the youngster, Sonny Perkins for @LUFC 🦸#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/coqfHfpdhO
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 8, 2023
An all-second tier match between Brol City and Swansea finished 1-1 and Walsall was denied victory against fellow fourth-tier team Stockport conceding late in a 1-1 draw.
There were eight matches in total Sunday, headlined Manchester City hosting Chelsea in a meeting of Premier League giants. The winner will play Arsenal if the Premier League leader beats Oxford on Monday.
Aston Villa is another Premier League team in action, hosting fourth-tier Stevenage.
