Emirates FA Cup Report: Leeds United 0-2 Millwall | OneFootball

Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round

Leeds United 0

Millwall 2 (Azeez 30’, 55’)

Leeds: Darlow (GK), Ampadu (C) (Debayo 83’), Struijk, Rothwell, Ramazani, Joseph, Guilavogui (Firpo 69’), Byram (Tanaka 69’), Gnonto (Piroe 80’), Schmidt, Chambers (Solomon 69’). Subs not used: Meslier (GK), Bogle, Aaronson, Gruev.

Millwall: Roberts (GK), Cooper (C), Tanganga, Mitchell (Wintle 74’), Azeez (Honeyman 74’), Bryan, De Norre, Cundle, Ivanovic (Watmore 69’), Harding, Neghli (Bangura-Williams 69’). Subs not used: Jensen (GK), Wallace, Kelly, Leahy, Sturge.

Referee: Gavin Ward

Booked: Guilavogui (Leeds)

Venue: Elland Road

Attendance: 34,923 (1,838)

Leeds United lost to Millwall in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round on Saturday lunchtime, after a goal from Femi Azeez in each half secured progression for the visitors.

When the teams emerged from the tunnel, it was a much changed XI from the midweek win over Coventry City, as Daniel Farke had made 10 changes, including a first start for 17-year-old academy graduate Sam Chambers.

After a quiet opening 10 minutes or so of the match, the first big chance came the way of Chambers. Joe Rothwell’s set-play bounced to the edge of the box and the midfielder controlled, before striking just over the bar on the half-volley.

Occupying a right-wing position, Chambers was lively once more. He broke in behind the Lions defence after a clever pass from Isaac Schmidt, looked up and crossed into the box for Willy Gnonto to strike, who forced goalkeeper Liam Roberts into a good save.

Farke’s side had started well and kept pressuring the Millwall goal. Next to force Roberts into a save was Largie Ramazani. The winger showed quick feet, turned onto his right foot and hit the target, forcing the ‘keeper to deal with it.

Against the run of play and with their first effort on goal, the away side took the lead. Azeez shot from just outside the penalty area and a big deflection saw the ball find the far corner of the net.

The visitors then came close to a second, again from Azeez. He shot from outside the box once more on his right-foot, this time coming back out off the underside of the crossbar.

In an end-to-end couple of minutes just before the half-time whistle, Leeds then nearly equalised, when Schmidt played a delicate pass into the path of Chambers.

He collected well and beat the Millwall defence before running into the box and shooting, but saw Roberts make a strong diving save to send the away side in ahead.

HALF TIME: Leeds United 0-1 Millwall

No changes were made from either bench during the break and the teams came out to battle once more in the second half at Elland Road in this cup encounter.

Following on from a similar fashion to the first half, Roberts made another good save between the Millwall posts. Gnonto created the opening by cutting inside and finding Ramazani, who had his left-footed strike turned away at full stretch for a corner.

In the 55th minute the away side doubled their advantage following another counter attack. It was Azeez again who scored his second, with another deflected strike finding the back of the net.

Just a couple of minutes later, Leeds did have a chance to get back into the game when Gnonto was brought down in the box. Pascal Struijk stepped up to take the spot-kick, but continuing his fine form, Roberts tipped the penalty onto the post.

Leeds made a triple change with just under 25 minutes left to play. Ao Tanaka, Junior Firpo and Manor Solomon all came on, looking to find a way back into the match.

Rothwell was the next to test Roberts, but was twice denied. The ‘keeper turned a shot from the edge of the box just wide, before the same outcome happened again a short time after, from a direct free-kick.

Despite the effort to get back into the tie, when the full-time whistle sounded it confirmed an exit from the Emirates FA Cup at Elland Road.

FULL TIME: Leeds United 0-2 Millwall