Leeds star Lucas Perri looking confused, Paul Robinson in inset.
Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media
Declan Carr
Sat 30 August 2025 20:20, UK
Lucas Perri kept another clean sheet in Leeds’ 0-0 draw with Newcastle on Saturday.
The goalkeeper has struggled at times in the start to his Elland Road career, conceding five in Leeds’ heavy defeat at Arsenal last weekend.
However, Perri redeemed himself against the Magpies, keeping a second clean sheet and helping Daniel Farke‘s side to secure a vital point.
Perri arrived at Leeds with a big reputation to uphold and perhaps even bigger expectations, especially after Illan Meslier’s nightmare finish to last season.
Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier
Credit: Imago
Lucas Perri shines despite ‘awkward’ moment in Newcastle draw
Leeds were without Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu for the clash with the Champions League outfit, but they still held their own.
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There was a dodgy moment, though, as a 56th-minute Kieran Trippier cross caused chaos in the box, with Pascal Struijk’s missed diving header nearly taking the ball past Perri, before he got a hand to it.
Paul Robinson was impressed by the quick-thinking actions of the Brazil Under-23 international, as he stopped the Whites from conceding.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live on 30 August (18:49), he said: “It was an awkward ball into the box from Kieran Trippier and there was no communication between defender and goalkeeper.
“Lucas Perri did well to get a big bear hand to it and claw it away.”
Credit: Imago
Daniel Farke needs Lucas Perri to step up
Farke needed Perri to be a success, given how important signing a new goalkeeper was this summer, and the calamity at the back end of the promotion campaign.
He needs Perri to prove that the result against the Gunners was a one-off and that he is the man that the Peacocks need between the sticks.
His performance against Newcastle will certainly do him the world of good, both in terms of his confidence and Farke’s belief in his new number one.
Perri was accurate with just four of his 16 long passes against Everton
He made zero saves against Arsenal and conceded five, with a goals prevented rate of -2.23, suggesting he could have saved some
Bounced back against Newcastle
Perri made two saves and eight recoveries in the contest, per Fotmob, which is a vast improvement from his display against Mikel Arteta’s side.
The LS11 outfit cannot afford for Perri to be a flop; it could cost them their place in the Premier League, and judging by his latest performance, he can step up.
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