Lucas Perri wasn’t popular amongst Leeds United fans on the whole, but he’s perhaps the biggest reason we’re off to Wembley.
An FA Cup quarter-final against West Ham today was must-win for Daniel Farke. Not often do Leeds get the opportunity to go to Wembley in the FA Cup.
The lineup reflected that ambition. Although, Lucas Perri was brought in over Karl Darlow in goal, as the Brazilian retained his cup preference.
Leeds United seal FA Cup semi-final trip after West Ham shootout win
It was all going so well for Leeds. Ao Tanaka proved exactly why he should be playing more as he started and finished the a flowing move to take the lead, with the aid of a deflection.
After half-time, Leeds then doubled the lead through a Dominic Calvert-Lewin spot-kick to end his goal drought. At that point, the London Stadium began to empty, understandably so with Leeds in cruise control.
However, a follow-up from Mateus Fernandes early in stoppage time halved the deficit. Then on 96 minutes, Axel Disasi’s high boot drew West Ham level as he clattered in the equaliser to send the game to extra-time.
After a calamitous start to extra-time, Leeds saw out a newly-inspired Irons to take the game to penalties.
Leeds thought we were buoyed by Alphonse Areola’s injury, leaving youth ‘keeper Finlay Herrick in line to face penalties. However, the 20-year-old denied Joel Piroe first. Despite the setback, Leeds reacted well with Lucas Perri denying the Irons twice as Leeds’ next four takers all dispatched their spot-kicks to send us to Wembley.
Scenes.
Lucas Perri brilliance helps send Leeds United to Wembley
There are a few people you could have as the Player of the Match. But, for me, we have to give our flowers to Perri in goal.
In the first half, he made a couple of incredible low saves to deny the home side from close range, keeping West Ham at bay as Tanaka put us in the lead.
Yes, he had a howler for what could have been West Ham’s third just after extra-time commenced. What was he doing heading that? Oh well, it mattered not in the end, and he more than made amends in the shootout.
He looked massive between the sticks. Maybe you can critique the penalty takers from West Ham. Going low and not into the corners is asking for trouble, but it’s the second time we’ve won a shootout thanks to him making big saves.
Perri took us through against Birmingham City with a massive save in normal time, followed by a big stop in the shootout.
At £15.6million, he might still be considered a ‘flop’ by many. However, he’s been the hero again here and made history in helping us get back to Wembley for an FA Cup semi.
It’s been 39 years since we did that. Perri deserves enormous respect for being a major part of modern Leeds history.
0% Love 0% Funny 0% Wow 0% Sad 0% Angry
Post navigation