Birmingham City 1–1 Leeds United (Leeds win on penalties) — FA Cup fourth round
Leeds United squeezed into the FA Cup fifth round after a dramatic penalty shootout at St Andrew's, where Lukas Nmecha's second-half finish was cancelled out by a stunning late equaliser from Patrick Roberts. The tie finished 1-1 after extra time, and Sean Longstaff's composed spot-kick secured victory for Daniel Farke's side.
Penalty drama at St Andrew's
The tie was decided from the spot after an absorbing 120 minutes. Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri was the hero in the shootout, producing a key save to deny Tommy Doyle and then seeing Patrick Roberts, who had hauled Birmingham back into the game with an 89th-minute wonder strike, sky over with his side's next kick. Sean Longstaff stepped up to dispatch Leeds' fourth penalty and send his side into the last 16 for the third time in four years.
How the match unfolded
Both managers made six changes from their previous lineups, but the gulf on paper was hard to spot as the Championship hosts began the brighter. Birmingham dominated possession early and created the first gilt-edged chance when Jay Stansfield's rasping half-volley was pushed onto the post by Perri after a brilliant fingertip save. Leeds' best first-half threat came from a long-range drive by Longstaff that was comfortably kept out by Birmingham keeper Ryan Allsop.
Leeds reshuffled at the break, bringing Ethan Ampadu on, and their captain was quickly involved in the action. On 49 minutes Noah Okafor's persistence created space on the left and fed Lukas Nmecha, who finished emphatically at the near post for his seventh goal of the season. With no VAR in place until the next round, any potential offside check was not available and the goal stood.
Birmingham responded with intensity. Stansfield, August Priske and Carlos Vicente all threatened in quick succession and the hosts pushed for parity. Their reward came late, when Patrick Roberts produced a superb strike in the 89th minute to level and force extra time. Birmingham continued to press; Ibrahim Osman rattled the post in stoppage time, agonisingly close to clinching a memorable win for the Championship side.
Consequences and context
Despite the exit, the result will be viewed as encouragement for Birmingham. It was only their third home defeat of the season and came against Premier League opposition, with the home crowd even pausing to applaud owner Tom Wagner as he continues his recovery from a stroke. The Blues remain ambitious in the league, sitting just two points off the Championship play-off places, and will quickly turn their focus back to securing promotion after their cup run ended.
For Leeds, progression maintains momentum in the cup and preserves Daniel Farke's options as the squad juggles domestic competitions. The Whites will now await Monday evening's FA Cup fifth-round draw (ET) with their name in the hat, while assessing fitness and form ahead of a busy schedule.
Key moments: Nmecha's 49th-minute finish; Roberts' 89th-minute equaliser; Perri's fine shootout save; Doyle and Roberts missing penalties; Longstaff converting the decisive spot-kick.
