‘Sublime to ridiculous’ - National media say same thing about Leeds United after Millwall loss
Leeds United suffered disappointment in their FA Cup fourth round clash against Millwall on Saturday afternoon as they crashed out of the competition.
A brace from Femi Azeez either side of half time condemned the Whites to a 2-0 home loss against their Championship rivals. The game did see Daniel Farke make ten changes to his starting line-up with the priority for the remainder of the season made clear.
Leeds sit at the top of the Championship table and return to league action on Tuesday night when they take on Watford at Vicarage Road. With the changes made, Farke will hope his team will be fresh for that match as they look to take another step towards a return to the Premier League.
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The game against Millwall was marred by tragedy chanting. Following the game the club released a statement condemning the ‘vile’ chants from away supporters.
As well as reporting on the chants, the national media in attendance also gave their view of the game. Here’s what just some had to say about the 2-0 defeat.
BBC Sport, Owen Phillips
Championship leaders Leeds, who made 10 changes from the side that won at Coventry in their last league match, created numerous chances. But they lacked quality in the final third and wasted a glorious opportunity to reduce the deficit when Pascal Struijk's penalty was superbly saved by the outstanding Roberts.
From there, the Lions had little trouble in seeing out a fourth consecutive win in all competitions and inflicting a first defeat on Leeds in 15 games. Daniel Farke's side are two points clear at the top of the league, with just three defeats in 31 games.
But a much-changed side, in which Ethan Ampadu was the only surviving starter from the game against Coventry, never seemed entirely comfortable against a Lions team buoyed by three consecutive league wins under Alex Neil. Leeds had their chances and failed to take them, and also contributed to their own downfall at the other end.
Daily Mail, David Coverdale
The chants came 10 minutes before Azeez opened the scoring for Millwall after half-an-hour. Making his return from injury, the winger cut inside from the left and let fly, with his strike taking a wicked deflection off Josuha Guilavogui to leave Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow helpless.
Moments later, Azeez smashed the bar from outside the box with Luke Cundle heading the rebound wide from five yards. Sam Chambers, the 17-year-old making his full Leeds debut, and Largie Ramazani drew fine saves out of Millwall’s stand-in goalkeeper Liam Roberts either side of half time.
But Millwall doubled their lead in the 55thminute when Leeds lost the ball again in midfield, Casper De Norre played in Azeez and he raced forwards before unleashing a left-footed shot inside Darlow’s near post. The Championship leaders were gifted the chance to pull a goal back when Willy Gnonto was brought down by Cundle in the box. But defender Pascal Struijk’s penalty was brilliantly tipped on to the post by the fingertips of an inspired Roberts.
The Mirror, Andy Williams
Leeds United went from the sublime to the ridiculous when they crashed out of the FA Cup. Just a week after recording their biggest league win for over 50 years, Daniel Farke’s promotion hopefuls went down with a whimper to a Millwall side languishing in the bottom half of the Championship table.
Two goals from Femi Azeez booked Millwall’s place in the fifth round, as Leeds slumped to their first defeat at Elland Road since September. However, Leeds have at least got the consolation of being able to focus all their attentions on winning a place back in the Premier League.
