Jesse Marsch had quite the ride in his first match in the FA Cup.
The American coach saw his Leeds team rally from 2-0 down against second-tier Cardiff to draw 2-2 thanks to an equalizer in the third minute of stoppage time by substitute Sonny Perkins in the third round on Sunday.
Rodrigo began Leeds’ recovery by pulling a goal back in the 65th before the Spain striker had a penalty saved in the 81st after Cardiff defender Joel Bagan stopped a goal-bound shot from Junior Firpo with his outstretched hand and was shown the red card.
A massive goal for @LUFC ⚪️
Just watch the movement in the box 🤤#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/Jz0hUcC9k7
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 8, 2023
The 18-year-old Perkins came to Rodrigo’s rescue with a close-range goal to send the teams to a replay.
The last time they met in the famous competition was in 2002, when Leeds — the Premier League leader at the time — was stunned by a Cardiff team that was in 10th place in the third tier.
Also Sunday, Derby advanced to the fourth round by beating fellow third-tier team Barnsley 3-0, while there were wins for second-tier teams Stoke and Blackburn.
THE DRAMA 🤯
It’s the youngster, Sonny Perkins for @LUFC 🦸#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/coqfHfpdhO
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 8, 2023
An all-second tier match between Bristol City and Swansea finished 1-1 and Walsall was denied victory against fellow fourth-tier team Stockport by conceding late in a 1-1 draw.
There were eight matches in total Sunday, headlined by Manchester City hosting Chelsea in a meeting of Premier League giants. The winner will play Arsenal if the Premier League leader beats Oxford on Monday.
Aston Villa is another Premier League team in action, hosting fourth-tier Stevenage.