Leeds Edge Birmingham on Pens After Dramatic FA Cup Late Equaliser
Leeds United held on to beat Birmingham City on penalties after a 1-1 draw at St. Andrew's, with Sean Longstaff converting the decisive spot-kick to send Daniel Farke's side into the FA Cup fifth round. The match, kicked off at 12pm ET, produced a late blockbuster as Patrick Roberts struck an 89th-minute equaliser before the tie was settled from the spot.
Match summary
Both managers made heavy changes and, for long periods, it was impossible to tell which side plays in the top tier. Birmingham started the brighter, dominating possession and carving the best early openings. A rasping half-volley from Jay Stansfield was pushed onto the post by Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri in one of the hosts' clearest chances, while Leeds' best early effort was a 25-yard drive from Sean Longstaff that was comfortably saved.
Leeds reshaped their approach at half-time, bringing on Ethan Ampadu for Facundo Buonanotte. The change paid early in the second half when Lukas Nmecha was fed by Noah Okafor and fired home at the near post on 49 minutes for his seventh goal of the season. There was a question over the build-up — Nmecha might have been offside — but with no VAR in operation until the next round, the goal stood.
Birmingham responded strongly. The hosts pushed for an equaliser, with Stansfield, full-debutant August Priske and Carlos Vicente forcing efforts in quick succession. The drama peaked late: Patrick Roberts produced a stunning strike in the 89th minute to level the tie and send the game into a shoot-out. In stoppage time Birmingham thought they might snatch it when Ibrahim Osman struck the post.
Key moments and the penalty shoot-out
The shoot-out encapsulated the tension of the tie. Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri kept his side alive by denying Tommy Doyle from the spot. Birmingham then had a chance to swing momentum back when Patrick Roberts — who had only just rescued Birmingham from defeat with his equaliser — stepped up, but he blazed his penalty over the bar. Sean Longstaff, cool under pressure, converted Leeds' fourth penalty and sealed progression as Leeds scored four from four in the shoot-out.
The result will be a bitter pill for Birmingham. The Blues' players and fans received warm applause for the club's owner, who was acknowledged as he continues his recovery from a stroke. It was only the hosts' third home defeat of the season and came against a rotated Premier League side; nevertheless, the performance underlined Birmingham's credentials as they sit close to the Championship play-off positions and remain ambitious about an immediate return to the top flight.
What it means next
Leeds advance to the last 16 of the FA Cup for the third time in four years and will be boosted by the resilience shown after being pegged back late on. The single-goal margins and the penalty drama highlight the fine margins that separate clubs across divisions in cup football. Birmingham, though eliminated, can take credit for a spirited display that will give their supporters hope as the Championship campaign continues.
For Leeds, managing squad rotation while navigating multiple competitions remains a priority. For Birmingham, the focus now returns to league business and the challenge of sustaining the form that has them close to the play-off places.
