Leeds United 2-0 Rotherham United
- Published
Mustapha Carayol scored on his Leeds United debut to help them overcome Championship rivals Rotherham and reach the FA Cup fourth round.
Neither side seriously threatened before on-loan Middlesbrough winger Carayol lashed a dipping shot past Lee Camp from the left edge of the box.
Emmanuel Ledesma tested Leeds keeper Marco Silvestri in response before Stuart Dallas hit the bar for Leeds.
Souleymane Doukara then pounced in the final minute to ensure victory.
Leeds progressed to round four for just the second time in six seasons, while the Millers bowed out at the third-round stage for for the ninth time since 1993.
History repeats | |
---|---|
On the one previous occasion Leeds were drawn to face Rotherham in the FA Cup in 1971, they came out on top. However, that tie went to a replay after a 0-0 draw at Millmoor, with the Whites prevailing 3-2 at Elland Road in the replay. |
Carayol, who moved to Elland Road 24 hours earlier having spent the first-half of the season on loan at Huddersfield, was lively in the opening minutes of the all-Yorkshire tie, providing a series of crosses which his new team-mates failed to capitalise on.
Rotherham's Paul Green called Silvestri into action with a tame effort and Camp easily dealt with a Sam Byram header at the other end before Carayol got on the end of a Charlie Taylor cut-back pass to power the ball home just before the break.
Silvestri had to be alert after the interval, pushing a Ledesma effort around the post as the Millers pressed for an equaliser.
Leeds resisted the growing pressure and substitute Dallas almost added a second late on, but was denied by the woodwork, only for Doukara to eventually make it 2-0 minutes later, punishing some hesitant Rotherham defending to slot into an unguarded net.
Leeds United head coach Steve Evans: "The boys have worked really hard, we were disappointed with last week but I thought in parts we played really well.
"We were able to leave a few out and still had enough to get over the line. There's a lot of glee and pride and I'm head coach of Leeds United but I didn't want to knock out a club that I gave my life to for three years.
"There was always going to be one loser today between myself and (Millers chairman) Tony Stewart. But I was very respectful when they beat us the other week and I would expect a courteous text off him when I open my phone."
Rotherham United manager Neil Redfearn: "The first goal came in Leeds' best spell in the first half. Up until then I would say we were the better side but we didn't create enough.
"The first goal is a fantastic strike. Sometimes you have just got to hold your hands up. I'm disappointed we didn't create more in their box, but we have come to Leeds twice and there has been very little between the sides, which for us to come to a big club and compete is good for us.
"Two-nil flatters them probably. I'd say Leeds deserve to go through but now we've got to move on. I was pleased with the way we applied ourselves."
- Published4 January 2016
- Published4 January 2016
- Published2 November 2018
- Published6 December 2015
- Published20 June 2016
- Published7 June 2019