Peterborough 0-3 Leeds: Patrick Bamford scores stunning 25-yard volley and Ethan Ampadu bags brace as Championship side ease into fourth round of FA Cup — Mail 7/1/24
By ADAM SHERGOLD
Patrick Bamford almost resembles a Brazilian star with his
bleach blond hair. The stunning goal he scored here to help ease Leeds into the
FA Cup fourth round was definitely in the samba class.
In days of yore, you’d say ‘wait until Match of the Day’ to
watch a goal of such quality. In the social media age, thankfully you can catch
a quicker glimpse.
However you saw it, Bamford’s 25-yard volley to put Leeds in
control of this far-from-straightforward tie was certainly pleasing on the eye.
That Bamford scored it warmed the heart, too. When the
30-year-old, born not too far away from here in Grantham, was handed his
England debut by Gareth Southgate in September 2021, it seemed there were no
limits.
But Bamford has endured so much injury hell in the interim -
the groin surgery, the painful plantar fasciitis, the hamstring issue that saw
him miss the start of this season - that moment does seem a lifetime ago.
With so much competition for the attacking places in Daniel
Farke’s side, this was only Bamford’s second start of the season.
But when Ethan Ampadu, himself excellent with the other two
goals, pinged a ball out of defence, Bamford didn’t hesitate.
Controlling the ball on his chest, he swivelled around
Peterborough defender Josh Knight, and struck a perfect volley that rose and
then dipped beyond keeper Fynn Talley into the top scorer.
It certainly rivalled - maybe surpassed - the goals scored
by Tottenham’s Pedro Porro and Brighton’s Pervis Estupinan over the third round
weekend.
‘The whole world will place it as a world class goal,’ said
Farke. ‘There are no other words.
‘I am happy and delighted for him. But it is more important
for me he is back to his fitness levels, back in a good rhythm and also to find
his confidence back.
‘I would have even taken a rebound from two yards today
because goals are always priceless for the confidence of the strikers.
‘But if he scores in such a world class manner, that’s even
better.’
Peterborough, third in League One and 10 matches unbeaten,
had every chance of joining Histon, Sutton United, Rochdale and Newport on the
lengthy list of lower-league opponents who’ve dumped Leeds out in recent years.
That was especially true when Farke decided to make six
changes but Leeds set about their task in a business-like manner, early chances
falling to Bamford twice and Archie Gray.
But Ampadu, given the captain’s armband for the day, broke
the deadlock after 35 minutes. He fired home beyond a static Peterborough
defence after Bamford chested down Jaidon Anthony’s free-kick.
It was contentious, with Peterborough believing Anthony
swung the ball in before referee Sam Allison blew his whistle. Josh Knight was
booked for his protestations but they did switch off.
Leeds screamed for a penalty when Knight brought down Willy
Gnonto but Allison neither pointed to the spot nor booked Gnonto for diving.
Bamford’s goal, seconds after the restart, took the wind
from Peterborough’s sails. Their best first-half chance came when Hector
Kyprianou was left unmarked but headed wide.
Ephron Mason-Clark looked dangerous throughout, with Ampadu
blocking one goalbound effort.
Leeds ultimately had control though and they wrapped up the
win when Ampadu glanced home a header from a Dan James corner in the last
minute.
‘It is a flat dressing room which might not be the worst
thing in the world for them to have that feeling,’ Posh boss Darren Ferguson as
his team re-focused on their promotion push.
‘If you lose a game to Bamford’s goal you hold your hands up
and say ‘world class finish’ but the first and third goals were not good
enough.’
