Leeds United have crashed out of the FA Cup after losing 2-0 to Millwall at Elland Road.
The game got off to an unsurprisingly, given Daniel Farke made 10 changes to his starting XI, slow start for the hosts whereas Millwall went with a fairly strong side.
Millwall started the brighter and, just as Leeds United were beginning to assert themselves, they took the lead through Femi Azeez’s deflected effort.
The forward thought he’d scored a second shortly afterwards but his shot off the underside of the crossbar did not cross the line.
However, Azeed did get back on the score sheet in the second half when he raced through on goal and fired into the far corner.
Leeds were given a lifeline when Willy Gnonto was barged over in the box but Pascal Struijk’s penalty was tame and tipped onto the post.
The fact it took Farke until the 68th minute to change things shows where priorities lie and Leeds didn’t even look like getting back into the game.
They can now focus completely on returning to the Premier League for the rest of the season after being knocked out.
Here’s how the players rated.
Karl Darlow – 5
Could do little about either goal and otherwise didn’t have a save to make.
Isaac Schmidt – 4
Impressed going forward when given a rare chance once again with his pace and nice distribution. It was his header at the back post that put Gnonto in to win the penalty.
Still a bit of a defensive liability, though, which is why he doesn’t get many minutes. Millwall got lots of joy down his flank and he was the one dispossessed for the goal, although he might have been fouled in the process. Did make one vital clearance to prevent a third.
Ethan Ampadu – 3
The captain and the one player to keep his place in the side has to be doing better than this.
He showed Azeez inside as he wound up to score and then got incredibly lucky he didn’t get another moments later when a terrible touch saw him lose the ball in the box.
Ethan Ampadu then did help Azeed get a second when he didn’t close the forward down as he advanced on the box. He was then blown away by the forward as Millwall nearly grabbed a third.
Pascal Struijk – 5
A steady enough return to the starting XI following his stint on the sidelines but didn’t particularly stand out. His penalty could have got Leeds back into the game but was far too casual and saved.
Sam Byram – 5
Was wasteful on the ball on the occasions he got it in dangerous positions until his deep cross in the second half led to the penalty.
Joe Rothwell – 6
Always looking to move the ball forward and involved with Leeds’ occasional good work. Laboured to make things happen even when the game was clearly over.
Josuha Guilavogui – 2
A first start in midfield for the club and you have to imagine his last unless a remarkable injury crisis hits after this plodding display.
He was actually proactive in winning the ball but turned his back on the shot that deflected in off him and he should have been sent off for a horrible lunge into Casper De Norre’s ankle.
A red card might have benefitted Leeds as it was the Frenchman who lost the ball for Millwall to double their lead.
Willy Gnonto – 5
Was lively on the ball and looking to make things happen as he tried to make his case to be starting more regularly and won the (soft) penalty when he was barged over in the box.
However, was too ponderous on the ball which kickstarted the move for Millwall’s opener and ultimately did little. He won’t be dislodging Dan James any time soon.
Sam Chambers – 5
Leeds’ most dangerous player in the first half. The teenager impressed in the No.10 role as he created a chance for Gnonto and slalomed his way into the box himself before his shot hit the goalkeeper.
Faded in the second half, though, and took off with twenty remaining.
Largie Ramazani – 4
Uncharacteristically quiet in the opening half but a bit more involved in the second as he forced a smart stop from the goalkeeper early on. Not much else of note.
Mateo Joseph – 2
Perhaps starved of service but offered little presence at the head of attack. He can’t really hold the ball up and when he did get it under his spell his passes were misplaced. Again shows why Leeds wanted Cameron Archer in January.
Substitutes
Junior Firpo – 5
Again displayed how much more he brings to the side going forward than Byram within moments of coming on with his pace but couldn’t craft a clear cut chance.
Ao Tanaka – 4
Couldn’t change much.
Manor Solomon – 4
Didn’t create anything.
Joel Piroe – 3
Hardly touched the ball.
James Debayo – 5
No mistakes.
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