National media critical of Leeds United's indecision, wastefulness as Daniel Farke shows 'no mercy'
Leeds United edged their way into the fourth round of the FA Cup after claiming a 1-0 victory over League Two strugglers Harrogate Town at Elland Road. It was not the best performance by Daniel Farke's men, but a a place in the next round is theirs regardless.
Leeds will now begin preparations for hosting Sheffield Wednesday next Sunday in a key Championship clash, but while the players start to look ahead we'll look back one more time with a review of how the media saw yesterday's game.
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A quiet Elland Road then found their voice after Manor Solomon watched his left-footed shot strike the crossbar. The breakthrough finally fell to Leeds in the 59th minute when Ramazani nodded in Solomon's chipped cross.
Harrogate had several chances to equalise, but Darlow, making just his second start of the season, came off his line to block a March shot and James Daly's follow-up went well wide. But Ramazani's goal was enough for Leeds to progress to the fourth round and prevent Harrogate from making club history.
Dave Craven, The Mirror
In a fleeting moment of indecision, Ethan Ampadu knew he could have sent Leeds nosediving to another embarrassing FA Cup exit. When the United captain was caught dawdling on the edge of his penalty area by energetic Harrogate forward James Daly it gifted the League Two strugglers a rare chance.
Josh March fired goalwards and Ampadu might have been forgiven for fearing Harrogate would follow Crawley, Histon, Sutton, Rochdale and Newport as plucky Cup minnows flooring the Whites.
But Karl Darlow saved to get the Wales international out of jail and, soon after, ex-Manchester United winger Largie Ramazani headed home in the 59th minute to ease any lingering Leeds fears.
Alfie Burns, Football League World
There was a wastefulness about Leeds' first-half performance, not in terms of clear-cut chances, but certainly snatching at what presented itself.
Largie Ramazani was wayward with a couple of attempts and had others held by James Belshaw, whilst Mateo Joseph went closest, hitting the bottom of the post on the stroke of half-time.
Harrogate had defended heavy Leeds possession well on the whole, whilst carrying some threat through Jack Muldoon and Josh March - the latter seeing early penalty appeals waved away after a coming together with Josuha Guilavogui.
Graham Smyth, Yorkshire Evening Post
With 68 places between the sides, there was considerable room for embarrassment and even with eight changes to the starting XI and two full debuts, the expectation was that Leeds should coast into the next round.
That expectation was heightened by the total absence of youngsters on the fringe of the senior squad. Farke's bench was packed with experience and quality. This was the German showing no mercy to the League Two strugglers.
