Leeds United redemption, fitting reward, fringe problems and off-camera Birmingham City moments — YEP 16/2/26

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By Graham Smyth

The YEP’s take on off-camera moments from Leeds United’s victory after penalties at Birmingham City.

Leeds United's performance at Birmingham City was one to forget but there was at least an element of redemption as they made it through to the FA Cup fifth round.

The Blues welcomed the Whites to St Andrew’s with aggression and endeavour and the Championship side can look back on this cup tie with a large amount of frustration and regret.

A famous win was there for the taking thanks to the way they took the game to Daniel Farke's men. But if you don't take your chances it can come back to bite you, and it did in the penalty shootout. Here's the YEP take.

Good day

Lucas Perri

The Brazilian's time in England so far has been difficult, to put it mildly. Roles have been dramatically reversed because not long ago Karl Darlow was the FA Cup keeper and Perri the main man. It's the other way around now, but Perri gave a much better account of himself in his cup cameo. The first half save was a stunner and his shot-stopping was solid throughout. Saving a penalty in a victorious shootout will do wonders for his confidence.

James Justin

Being made captain of Leeds United was a fitting reward for Justin. On a very basic level covering 55.53 miles - the most of any Whites player in 2026 - marks him out as a key operator and regular starter in recent weeks. Yet for a player who has featured at centre-back at times that mileage hints at far more. Sacrifice, selflessness, athleticism, mobility and adventurousness. Put simply, everything asked of him. The mark of a leader. He gave up the armband to Ethan Ampadu at the break but wearing it at all will be something to remember and cherish. Especially in a win.

Birmingham City

They gave a superb account of themselves and the only thing that was lacking was composure and clinical finishing. The way they defended and attacked on the front foot made it a horrible first half for Leeds, but they were competitive right to the end of regulation time. In extra-time Leeds looked likelier and yet it took penalties to deal with the Championship outfit.

Bad day

Facundo Buonanotte

No one wants to hammer a young player for his performance but at this level there is no hiding from reality. This was a stinker. On his full debut no less. The loanee was hooked at the break and it was no surprise given how much he struggled against Birmingham's physicality and aggression. How he responds to this will be telling when it comes to character and resilience, but the calls for him to start will surely die down now.

Ao Tanaka

The Japan international has had a pretty horrible first season in the Premier League. He hasn't been able to show consistency, recent substitute cameos have lacked real impact and he needed to come up with a big performance in this game. But he was unable to. The player who was so classy and so at home in the Championship last season has not shown himself in the current campaign.

Joel Piroe

He scored his penalty, which was largely expected. But his performance was like that of a number of fringe players' and did not suggest he warrants more of a chance in the Premier League.

Off-camera

Sean Longstaff paying a beautiful tribute to Cole Palmer with a miss from three yards in the warm-up, blazing the ball high and wide.

Ao Tanaka and Facundo Buonanotte having a quick chat about how they would operate seconds before kick-off, then captain James Justin came over to give the Argentine a last-second pep talk.

Goalkeeping coach Ed Wootten coming off the bench to try and gee up the Leeds team as they struggled to contain their hosts in the early stages.

Fitness coach Chris Domogalla heading down the touchline to have a word with Jayden Bogle who was warming up on the sidelines with half an hour played. Ethan Ampadu was also there but headed down the tunnel seconds later. Ampadu then came on for the second half.

Longstaff trying to convey to Noah Okafor what he needed to be doing as Leeds struggled to make any real headway in possession.

A laughing Ampadu being shoved away by a Birmingham coach as he tried to sneakily listen in to the home team talk during a late break in play.

Okafor explaining to Daniel Farke what the problem was with his hamstring when he came off injured.

Marvin Ducksch and Jaka Bijol having a long chat at full-time.

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