Leeds United

David Anderson
BBC Sport

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Leeds can have a real go in the FA Cup this season and improve their awful recent record in the competition.

The Whites have managed just one quarter-final appearance in the last 28 years and their defeat to Sheffield United in 2003 cost Terry Venables his job.

Leeds were often at Wembley under Don Revie and made four FA Cup Finals between 1965 and 1973, winning for the only time in their history in 1972.

Their last semi-final appearance was way back in 1987 when they lost to eventual winners Coventry City.

With a six-point cushion, Leeds are well on course to survive in the top flight – their No 1 goal this season.

They may argue that they are not safe yet, but a run of just two defeats in 15 games suggests they will steer clear of trouble.

So boss Daniel Farke can also focus on the Cup and his substitutions at Birmingham show he is not taking the competition lightly.

He brought on skipper Ethan Ampadu at half-time to help change the tie, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Brenden Aaronson also made positive contributions from the bench before Leeds' shoot-out win.

Leeds have not won at Wembley since the 1992 Charity Shield, when Eric Cantona scored a hat-trick against Liverpool, and maybe this could finally be the season they change that.

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke, speaking to the BBC: "This means a lot for us, also for our supporters. We can send them back happy. In our recent history we were not too good in the FA Cup, so it's good to go on a proper run - fifth round already. Such a scruffy hard fought win, sometimes these wins are the best for the spirit of the group.

"Lots of rotation today and also many players in the pitch that did not have that many minutes, but we were still able to find a way in this difficult away game against a Championship side in red hot form. To find a way in a scruffy game to win it is good for my team, good for my spirit and I'm delighted.

"Birmingham were the better side in the first half, no doubt about it, but we defended everything in the end and there were some good saves by Lucas Perri. We changed the set-up, brought our captain, our leader - Ethan Ampadu - in and won the momentum back in the game and scored with a fantastic goal from Lukas Nmecha.

"We were always convinced that we could do it on penalties and that we have done. And Lucas Perri, again, very good in the penalty shootout and a good win for the team."

Leeds United midfielder Sean Longstaff, speaking to TNT Sports about whether he was nervous stepping up to take the winning penalty: "I think it makes it easier knowing that if you miss there's more penalties to come. But I thought Lucas [Perri] was massive today, obviously in the shootout but in the game -the first half especially.

"We've ground out a result. It's never pretty in the FA Cup, but we're happy to get through.

"I think any time you get drawn away to a team in a lower division to you a lot of people expect you to rock up and win but it's never the case. I thought they were excellent today.

"Ultimately, it comes down to the moments and we were better in the bigger moments today and I'm really happy for Lucas because it's been sort of a tough time for him - but he deserves it today. I'm really happy for him."

Did you know?

• Leeds United's Lukas Nmecha is averaging a goal or assist every 101 minutes in all competitions this season (seven goals, two assists); only Erling Haaland (83 mins) has a better rate among Premier League central strikers in 2025-26 (those who have played a minimum of 500 minutes).

• Leeds United have won a penalty shootout for only the second time in their last six attempts, while it was only the second time they contested one in the FA Cup, after a 4-2 loss to Wolves in a third-round replay in 2005-06.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you make of Leeds' display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Image source, BBC Sport

Birmingham City XI: Allsop, Oyasi-Samuel, Klarer, Panzo, Wagner, Doyle, Jhon Solis, Vicente, Stansfield, Gray, Priske.

Subs: Beadle, Mayo, Burrell, Neumann, Betteka, Roberts, Kanya, Osman, Ducksch.

Leeds United XI: Perri, Justin, Gudmundsson, Bijol, Bornauw, Longstaff, Tanaka, Buonanotte, Gnonto, Okafor, Nmecha.

Subs: Darlow, Bogle, Byram. Rodon, Ampadu, Gruev, Aaronson, Piroe, Calvert-Lewin.

Image source, BBC Sport

There are five ties in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Birmingham v Leeds (12:00) - BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio WM & BBC Radio Leeds

• Grimsby v Wolves (13:30) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2, BBC Radio Humberside & BBC Radio WM

• Oxford United v Sunderland - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3, BBC Radio Oxford & BBC Radio Newcastle

• Stoke v Fulham - BBC Radio Stoke

• Arsenal v Wigan (16:30) - BBC Radio Manchester

Kick-off times 14:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Birmingham v Leeds" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Oxford United v Sunderland", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

Leeds United's comeback from 2-0 down to draw at Chelsea was just extraordinary, but I can smell an upset here.

I am sure Leeds boss Daniel Farke will make some changes because he will have at least half an eye on the Premier League and their next game against Aston Villa.

Birmingham City are going well under Chris Davies and are unbeaten in eight games in all competitions. This seems like a good time for him to take a top-flight scalp.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

The Don't Go To Bed Just Yet panel have been previewing Sunday's FA Cup fourth round tie at Birmingham and discussing if and how Daniel Farke will rotate his team after Tuesday's impressive 2-2 draw against Chelsea.

"We're expecting a lot of changes," said Jonny Buchan.

"It's a really interesting one because what do you do in terms of the starting XI? You're only three games away from a semi-final at Wembley, so how seriously do you take this Birmingham City side?"

"The indications all season have been Farke will take this competition seriously," replied Adam Pope.

"They put in a good performance at Derby and deservedly won the game despite going behind.

"I could see [Joel] Piroe playing, he had a really good game at Derby even though he missed the penalty, [Facundo] Buonanotte is eligible and could get a start. He will probably leave [Dominic] Calvert-Lewin out after illness. I'd imagine [Sebastiaan] Bornauw will get a run-out again despite getting a bit of a run-around against Chelsea. Maybe [Willy] Gnonto gets a go too.

"Dan James maybe too, who has looked great since coming back.

"It might be a system change to give these players minutes. It could be a 4-3-3 with Piroe up top, Buonanotte pulling the strings, and [Brendon] Aaronson having a rest."

"This round we have an easier fixture so we can go under full-strength and get through," added Simon Rix.

"Hopefully by the next round the league will be looking good and we can play more of the first team.

"I'd be tempted to play the players who will be useful in the league to give them some minutes. I'd be tempted to start [Lukas] Nmecha and James to give them the minutes and [Ao] Tanaka and [Sean] Longstaff to help them get back to full fitness."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Find more episodes of The Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast on BBC Sounds

George Booth
BBC Sport journalist

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Sunday's FA Cup game against Birmingham City at St Andrew's (kick-off 12:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Leeds boss Daniel Farke confirmed "achieving survival is a priority" for his side and they "will not risk any player who has any doubts" for their fourth round tie against Birmingham City.

• Anton Stach and Pascal Struijk will not make a return to the matchday squad as both players are yet to fully complete their rehab. Although striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin "is back" after suffering from an illness, said Farke.

• Although the league is the "priority" for the west Yorkshire side, Farke said "we will not take any risks" when facing Birmingham, who sit one point outside the play-off positions in the Championship. Farke added: "It is not like we want to go out of this cup on purpose. I am a big believer in cup competitions."

• On Sunday's FA Cup opponents, Farke said: "I like the group of players, real quality players, and they definitely have a chance [of being promoted]." City have not lost in any competition since New Year's Day - an unbeaten run of eight games - and Farke believes "the club has lots of potential" as they aim to be promoted back to the Premier League.

• Farke also gave his thoughts on the sacking of Premier League managers Thomas Frank and Sean Dyche: "Especially when you have a proven manager like Thomas, who has done so well for Brentford, he is not just a good coach, but he is a great human being. For Sean Dyche, a proven record in the fight against relegation. The outside feeling is he gave stability after a crazy start for Nottingham."

Hear more from Farke below or on BBC Sounds here

Follow all of Friday's FA Cup news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to Leeds United's FA Cup tie against Birmingham City on BBC Radio 5 Live or BBC Radio Leeds

Got a question about Leeds? Get in touch and we'll put it to our experts

A new episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast is available to download and listen to now on BBC Sounds.

Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix reflect on an impressive draw away against Chelsea on Tuesday and preview Sunday's trip to face Birmingham City at St Andrew's in the FA Cup fourth round.

And you can listen to live commentary of Birmingham v Leeds at 12:00 on Sunday on BBC Radio Leeds and BBC Sounds. Ex-United defender Jon Newsome - a title winner in 1992 - will join commentator Adam to offer punditry, with Jonny presenting.

Listen to the full episode of Don't Go To Bed Just Yet here

Explore all Leeds United content on BBC Sounds

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Recently, Liverpool and the Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk said former players-turned-pundits have a responsibility when discussing the performances of the current generation of footballers.

He believes they can stray into "clickbait" and have a possible impact on players' mental health.

On Thursday's episode of the More than the Score podcast, former Scotland international Pat Nevin and chief sports editor for Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf Marcel van der Kraan join John Bennett to discuss and analyse the modern world of punditry and the impact it can have on players and managers alike.

"As a player you do tend to take it to heart, especially when it feels a little personal," said Nevin.

"Generally, it isn't personal and the pundit is just having their opinion and we all kind of know where the lines are. But, the lines have been jumped over more often in recent years and I think Van Dijk is right about that.

"Because of the clickbait, it is so much easier to get more likes, views and work if you're a little bit more extreme. Ex-players aren't stupid and they know that. If you are too sensible and sit on the fence you won't get the big gigs.

"You have a dichotomy. Most ex-players would like to be balanced but they know if they are too balanced and sensible they won't be there next week.

"My criticism would always be constructive criticism which is explained. One-dimensional labeling of players should never happen. Sometimes if a big name says something enough it becomes accepted wisdom."

Van der Kraan added: "There are two different kinds of pundits; those who need to be on every week and those who are genuinely focused on what is right and what players should do.

"For Van Dijk, after so many years enough is enough.

"It all started after he came into the Netherlands team and became a big player at Liverpool. The first ex-player to really criticise him was Marco van Basten, saying he was not a leader. Van Dijk was biting his lip after every match because it became a bit of a stigma.

"Eventually it filtered to England and every time he had a bad game it became an open nerve."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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The 40-point mark - or thereabouts - could be needed once again to guarantee Premier League survival this term, with an in-form West Ham United attempting to chase down the sides above them.

That mythical number has often been cited as the threshold at which managers, players and fans can relax - but the total has not actually been needed to stay up since 2010-11.

Prior to that the only other occasions clubs were demoted with 40 points or more were 1996-97, 1997-98 and 2002-03.

But could that be about to change?

West Ham, who are 18th in the top flight, are only three points behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, who sacked manager Sean Dyche after Wednesday's goalless draw with Wolves.

While Tottenham - who sacked boss Thomas Frank on Wednesday - are 16th, another two points ahead of Forest.

• Read a full breakdown on the 40-point target

West Ham's current points tally (24) is the most by any side in 18th at this stage of a campaign since 2019-20, when the Hammers recovered to stay up with 39 points.

Leeds also look to have found some momentum with recent wins over Fulham and Forest as well as draws at Everton and Chelsea.

In contrast, Spurs have managed a meagre four points from the previous 27 available to them.

Meanwhile, now managerless Forest have won just two of their past 10 games and fans of Brighton and Crystal Palace may also be looking over their shoulders.

The 14th-placed Seagulls (31 points) are on a dismal run having won just one top-flight game since 30 November.

Palace - who are a place and a point above Brighton - have only tasted victory once since 7 December and most recently let a two-goal lead slip as they lost to struggling Burnley.

That magic 40-point mark could well be needed once more to avoid dropping into the Championship.

Adam Pope
BBC Radio Leeds reporter

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Some of you have been sending BBC Sport questions about Leeds United using our 'Ask Me Anything' form.

Some focus on a potential summer move for Harvey Elliott and whether that's realistic.

Bearing in mind Aston Villa have an obligation to buy Elliott for £35m from Liverpool after his loan spell at the end of the season should he make 10 appearances, I would think that the valuation would be too high for Leeds United if they wanted him.

Elliott, 22, has a year left on his contract at Anfield where the hierarchy have shown they are content to sell. However, Villa have effectively put the deal and Elliott's career on hold by not playing him with head coach Unai Emery admitting the clash between the sporting and business decision is damaging the attacking midfielder.

In the plus column Elliott could be seen a decent signing because he has made more than 200 senior appearances for Liverpool, Fulham, Blackburn Rovers and now Aston Villa. He has scored 23 goals and has Champions League experience. However, it should be noted that of his 99 Premier League appearances he has started 36.

His playing time will be limited for the rest of this campaign as it is understood that Villa chose not to terminate Elliott's loan from Liverpool during the January window, to avoid paying an early termination penalty. His ability, as testifed by Emery, is not in question and the England Under-21 international has time on his side to keep improving.

But Leeds United's priorities would appear to lie elsewhere this summer. A top class goalkeeper and a striker - bearing in mind they were prepared to spend a similar amount to Elliot's valuation on Wolves' forward Jorgen Strand Larsen before his move to Crystal Palace - is where I would expect to see the bulk of a transfer kitty spent. I say that because the midfield is where United have a lot of resource with Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach contracted until 2029 and Ao Tanaka until 2028. I believe Elliott would enhance the squad as it stands, in my opinion, but at this stage it is a hypothetical question as to whether he is under consideration with Leeds' Premier League status needing securing.

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It was 10 November 2002 when 16-year-old James Milner made his first Premier League appearance for Leeds United.

Milner came off the bench to replace Jason Wilcox in a 4-3 win at West Ham.

What else was going on in the world in November 2002?

Number one singles in the UK around that time included "Heaven" by DJ Sammy and Yanou featuring Do and "Unbreakable" by Westlife.

On television, ITV talent show Popstars: The Rivals was approaching its conclusion (whatever happened to One True Voice?) while series two of The Office had just ended - would a tearful David Brent avoid being made redundant from his job at Wernham Hogg?

"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" and "Die Another Day" were released in UK cinemas.

Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford was a month old, while former US Open tennis champion Emma Raducanu was born three days after Milner's senior debut.

James Milner now holds the all-time record for the most Premier League appearances.

The former England international, 40, made his 654th Premier League outing in Wednesday's defeat at former club Aston Villa - which took him past the previous mark set by Gareth Barry.

Milner made his debut for Leeds in November 2002 as a 16-year-old and became the Premier League's youngest-ever goalscorer before the end of that year.

He featured regularly at first-team level from then on, but his time at Elland Road came to an end when Leeds, in deep financial trouble at the time, were relegated from the top flight in 2004.

Image source, Getty Images

Milner was contracted to Newcastle for four years, although he spent the 2005-06 campaign on loan at Aston Villa and nearly joined them full-time in the summer of 2006.

That move to Villa Park would eventually happen in 2008.

Image source, Getty Images

Milner was a key part of a Villa side that narrowly missed out on silverware and Champions League qualification under Martin O'Neill.

He scored the opening goal in Villa's 2010 League Cup final loss to Manchester United.

Image source, Getty Images

Milner moved to Manchester City in the early weeks of the 2010-11 season and won numerous honours during his five seasons with the club, including two Premier League titles and one FA Cup.

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Milner swapped City for Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer of 2015 and spent eight seasons with the Reds.

While at Anfield, he won all three major domestic trophies and the Champions League in 2019.

Milner played more Premier League games for Liverpool (230) than any of the other top-flight clubs he has represented.

Image source, Getty Images

Milner has been with Brighton since 2023, appearing in the Seagulls' first-ever European campaign in 2023-24.

He recently joined a select band of outfield players to have made a Premier League appearance after their 40th birthday and is more than seven years older than his current boss Fabian Hurzeler.

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Pundits Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Somers to bring you the action and talking points from Tuesday's and Wednesday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

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Leeds defender Ethan Ampadu says his side had "full confidence" they could come back to get a result against Chelsea on Tuesday evening, even when they were 2-0 down in the second half at Stamford Bridge.

"We're delighted," Ampadu told BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope.

"It was a game of two halves. We started the game and imposed ourselves like we wanted to do and then they had a couple of moments where they opened us up a little bit and we got sucked into that and gave them space to create.

"When you play a fantastic team they find that and put the ball in the net.

"At half-time we believed we could change it. We just needed to change the momentum a little bit and get it back on our side.

"We had full belief that whatever happened in the second-half - whether we scored first or they scored first - that we could change the game and get a positive result."

Chelsea made it 2-0 shortly after the break and looked to be coasting to victory before two goals in six minutes from the Daniel Farke's side.

Asked if he was surprised Farke didn't make a change at half-time, Ampadu said: "Definitely not. He [Farke] was confident we could do what the plan was from the start.

"We started the first half well but didn't do it enough but he gave us the confidence. They scored an early goal which unsettled it a bit but we had full confidence we would get back into the game.

"With the chance they had at the end it's hard to say we're disappointed. But, we also need that little bit of luck and we had that. Usually Cole Palmer puts that in the back of the net but he didn't today which is very fortunate for us.

"They are a very good team and have a lot of quality. They showed that. To pick up four points against them this season is a good feeling but we still know there is a long way to go."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Leeds United.

Here are some of your comments:

Chelsea fans

Nick: Two more points surrendered at home. Two more points dropped from a winning position. Two more points gift-wrapped to the opposition by Chelsea forgetting matches last 90 minutes. Essentially, 60 minutes of controlled, totally dominant, attractive play undone by switching off for six minutes. Intensely frustrating.

Kazuki: Again, our naivety cost us the game. This concept of a young and exciting team is fine as a presentation to the world, but when it's really young from the management to the coach to the players we don't have to stick to the concept as much and could bring in some steel with experience in defence. Please, please, I beg you Chelsea.

James: Leeds is always a tough test but from such a commanding position the game should be seen out. Sloppy in defence second half and it is dropping points like this that could prove costly at the end of the season.

Simon: Poor management, not reacting to the changing game. Desperately need a new keeper as well. Lots of work to be done.

Leeds fans

AC: Apart from the gifted pen Bijol was a welcome return. Credit Daniel Farke as he subbed Okafor for Bornauw, tweaked the setup and we got the ball forward quicker. Dodged a bullet at the end with Palmers miss. Very happy to take a point from the game.

Darren: It's the first time this season I can honestly remember Leeds getting a slice of luck and maybe a result they didn't merit. However, a few more of these will be required to even out the times when the exact opposite is true.

Ian: I'm not quite sure how Leeds pulled that off. When Bijol had a rush of blood to his arms I thought we were dead and buried. A never say die attitude rattled the Chelsea defence and a vital point with another two top-five sides to come.

Jason: Bogle was phenomenal in the Championship last season and he has excelled in the Premier League. Why don't I hear him being touted for an England call up?

JPL: How on earth did we pull that off? Still, we got a very valuable point and we'll take it. No one said this first season back was going to be easy. Every point counts. Can't help feeling a tad sorry for Palmer - that will take some forgetting.

Sean Kearns
BBC Sport

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Only Daniel Farke and his players will know how they got back into that one.

They barely laid a glove on Chelsea before Lukas Nmecha's spot-kick and it looked as though their dismal away form - one win on the road this season - would continue.

But their fightback from two goals down was exactly the type of gutsy, spirited display that has epitomised Farke's men in recent weeks.

It didn't come about because of great play or tactical innovation, but through sheer perseverance and refusing to believe that the game was done.

Farke has earned plenty of plaudits since moving to a back three in December, but this was a victory of a different kind.

"We've shown this throughout the season and we've proved we are a proper Premier League side and we want to earn the points to play in this league for longer," Farke told TNT Sports.

"We want to be an established Premier League side in a few years and we are on a good path to achieving that this season."

After West Ham's draw with Manchester United, Leeds remain six points above the relegation zone.

That gap says more about the Hammers' recent revival in form than it does any lingering fears that Farke's side are still contenders for the drop.

They'll feel that, with 12 matches to play, 10 more points to reach the coveted 40-point mark is more than achievable.

Leeds United are plotting a £30m summer move for Manchester City's 23-year-old goalkeeper James Trafford. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Leeds manager Daniel Farke speaking to TNT Sports: "The boys did us proud. Chelsea, of course, were the dominate side and created more chances and won the statistics - but I think we fought so hard for this point. It's a well-deserved point and I'm very proud of the lads."

On Jaka Bijol's performance: "Overall, really good. Let's be honest we are praising ourselves for being the 'toughest' league in the world - it was a very, very soft penalty. But you can say that he shouldn't give the referee a decision to make, of course. It was not the smartest decision to touch him with both hands."

On Leeds fighting spirit: "We've shown this throughout the season and we've proved we are a proper Premier League side and we want to earn the points to play in this league for longer.

"We want to be an established Premier League side in a few years and we are on a good path to achieving that this season."

Hear more from Farke on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Leeds have avoided defeat home and away in a Premier League season (W1 D1) against Chelsea for the first time since 2000-01.

• Leeds avoided defeat having been two goals behind in a Premier League away game for the first time since March 2022 (3-2 win against Wolves).