Emirates FA Cup Report: Leeds United 0-2 Millwall — Leedsunited.com 8/2/25
Whites exit the Emirates FA Cup at Elland Road.
Leeds United lost to Millwall in the Emirates FA Cup fourth
round on Saturday lunchtime, after a goal from Femi Azeez in each half secured
progression for the visitors.
When the teams emerged from the tunnel, it was a much
changed XI from the midweek win over Coventry City, as Daniel Farke had made 10
changes, including a first start for 17-year-old academy graduate Sam Chambers.
After a quiet opening 10 minutes or so of the match, the
first big chance came the way of Chambers. Joe Rothwell’s set-play bounced to
the edge of the box and the midfielder controlled, before striking just over
the bar on the half-volley.
Occupying a right-wing position, Chambers was lively once
more. He broke in behind the Lions defence after a clever pass from Isaac
Schmidt, looked up and crossed into the box for Willy Gnonto to strike, who
forced goalkeeper Liam Roberts into a good save.
Farke’s side had started well and kept pressuring the
Millwall goal. Next to force Roberts into a save was Largie Ramazani. The
winger showed quick feet, turned onto his right foot and hit the target,
forcing the ‘keeper to deal with it.
Against the run of play and with their first effort on goal,
the away side took the lead. Azeez shot from just outside the penalty area and
a big deflection saw the ball find the far corner of the net.
The visitors then came close to a second, again from Azeez.
He shot from outside the box once more on his right-foot, this time coming back
out off the underside of the crossbar.
In an end-to-end couple of minutes just before the half-time
whistle, Leeds then nearly equalised, when Schmidt played a delicate pass into
the path of Chambers.
He collected well and beat the Millwall defence before
running into the box and shooting, but saw Roberts make a strong diving save to
send the away side in ahead.
HALF TIME: Leeds United 0-1 Millwall
No changes were made from either bench during the break and
the teams came out to battle once more in the second half at Elland Road in
this cup encounter.
Following on from a similar fashion to the first half,
Roberts made another good save between the Millwall posts. Gnonto created the
opening by cutting inside and finding Ramazani, who had his left-footed strike
turned away at full stretch for a corner.
In the 55th minute the away side doubled their advantage
following another counter attack. It was Azeez again who scored his second,
with another deflected strike finding the back of the net.
Just a couple of minutes later, Leeds did have a chance to
get back into the game when Gnonto was brought down in the box. Pascal Struijk
stepped up to take the spot-kick, but continuing his fine form, Roberts tipped
the penalty onto the post.
Leeds made a triple change with just under 25 minutes left
to play. Ao Tanaka, Junior Firpo and Manor Solomon all came on, looking to find
a way back into the match.
Rothwell was the next to test Roberts, but was twice denied.
The ‘keeper turned a shot from the edge of the box just wide, before the same
outcome happened again a short time after, from a direct free-kick.
Despite the effort to get back into the tie, when the
full-time whistle sounded it confirmed an exit from the Emirates FA Cup at
Elland Road.
FULL TIME: Leeds United 0-2 Millwall