Leeds United did what they needed to vs Birmingham City – just – but an emerging truth raises a bit of concern
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
06:00, 16 Feb 2026
Facundo Buonanotte of Leeds United and Jay Stansfield of Birmingham City(Image: Phil Oldham/Shutterstock)
The brutal fact is that Leeds United are two wins away from Wembley, following their penalty shoot-out win over Birmingham City in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.
Leeds have not made the quarter-finals since 2003, and so all eyes will be on the fifth round draw to discover who their next opponents, and how high their chances of progression, are.
Of course, Premier League survival is the priority and Daniel Farke has made no secret of that. But he is also allowing supporters to dream. Farke says he wants to do “something special” at Leeds and in simple terms, the club are four games away from that.
The reality is that the competition gets much tougher from here – the longer they are in, the more difficult, in theory, progression becomes.
And performances will have to be so much better than what fans witnessed yesterday. But don’t squash those Wembley ambitions just yet.
A boost for Perri
Lucas Perri was playing his first game since being dropped by Farke last month and so he was always going to be one player eyes were going to be drawn to.
He was in a no-win situation – do well and that’s what was expected against Championship opposition for a £16m summer signing.
The fact he did not make any glaring errors is positive, although he will hardly get any plaudits for that. Did he give Farke food for thought?
It’s always hard to judge when playing against a team from a lower league but there was not much to suggest the order will be changing any time soon.
He made a really good save onto the post early on then got his hand to one spot kick, which will do him good, but he also missed punches from crosses and his poor distribution was still present. Farke says he still has a way to go yet, but was pleased with his performance.
In truth, a change of guard would have to be coupled with poor form from Karl Darlow, so Sunday was about showing how Perri responded to Farke’s public comments. He did amply fine.
Heavy legs
Gabriel Gudmundsson and James Justin played the full 120 minutes, with it a surprise they made the starting XI in the first place given the game time they have had recently. Leeds already had a day less to prepare for their next game than upcoming opponents Aston Villa, and now they have played 30 more gruelling minutes.
The turnaround of five days should be enough, but over the long term it is a concern that two regulars have been put through their yards for two hours when there are scant alternatives behind them.
Longstaff – the penalty shoot-out winner – also had to play the full 120 minutes, having started his first game since November. There is meanwhile a question of squad depth and how much quality Leeds do have in reserve.
Rotation players helped Leeds get over the line but it was hardly vintage. Which leads onto the next point.
Facundo Buonanotte
This was a dismal full debut for Buonanotte. Just 30 touches, no shots, no successful dribbles and dispossessed twice. It was a horrid 45 minutes. The 21-year-old was taken off at half time, which was no surprise.
“He’s a very young player. Sometimes you forget a bit about it when you speak about him,” said Farke. “Also, he hasn’t played much football over the last year. It’s not like you come here to a Championship place and you can deliver. It’s step by step.
“You have to fight in order to win your momentum and your rhythm back. And I’m happy that he has already 45 minutes, but he knows that he’s a bit away from his very best.
“He needs to work hard and in training, and when he gets a chance, he needs to use each every minute in order to improve and bring himself to the level where he then can shine in such a game.”
Buonanotte’s start to life at Leeds has hardly been dream-like but there is still time for him to come good – though it’s now about how much opportunity he will get.
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