Leeds booked their place in the FA Cup fourth round after near-total dominance against Cardiff earned them a thumping 5-2 win in the third-round replay at Elland Road.
Wilfried Gnonto got the hosts off to the perfect start with an exquisite scissor kick after just 26 seconds and it was 3-0 with 36 minutes gone, thanks to a second from the Italian teenager and Rodrigo’s 12th goal of the season.
Cardiff’s Curtis Nelson thought he had found a slim chance of a way back into the game before the break, but his header was ruled out after a VAR review.
Patrick Bamford then came off the bench at half-time to score two goals in five minutes, taking his tally to three in two games after his first of the season in the defeat to Aston Villa on Friday.
Callum Robinson pulled back a consolation for the visitors and then converted a late penalty with effectively the last kick of the game to reduce the deficit, though it was all too little, too late.
Victory for Leeds – their first since November 5 – sets up a fourth-round clash away at either Boreham Wood or Accrington, who play one another in their replay on Tuesday January 24.
More to follow…
Gnonto gave Leeds the lead after 26 seconds with an exquisite scissor kick
FA Cup fourth-round draw in full
- Preston vs Tottenham
- Southampton vs Blackpool
- Wrexham vs Sheffield United
- Ipswich vs Burnley
- Manchester United vs Reading
- Luton vs Grimsby
- Derby vs West Ham
- Stoke vs Stevenage
- Blackburn vs Birmingham
- Walsall vs Leicester
- Sheffield Wednesday vs Fleetwood
- Manchester City vs Arsenal
- Bristol City vs West Brom
- Brighton vs Liverpool
- Fulham vs Sunderland
- Boreham Wood or Accrington vs Leeds
What’s next?
Leeds are next in action at 2pm on Sunday January 22, when they welcome Brentford to Elland Road, in a match live on Sky Sports.
Meanwhile, Cardiff return to action at 3pm on Saturday January 21, when they welcome Millwall to the Cardiff City Stadium.
