Sean Longstaff has hailed Leeds teammate Lucas Perri for his role in the club’s FA Cup win at Birmingham City.
Leeds progressed to round five of the FA Cup with a penalty shootout win at St Andrews, following a 1-1 draw. Birmingham had forced penalties following Patrick Roberts’ late equaliser, after Lukas Nmecha had put Leeds in front.
In the shootout, Longstaff converted the decisive kick, after Perri had saved from Tommy Doyle and Roberts blasted his spot-kick over the bar.
Longstaff reserved praise for Leeds goalkeeper Perri, who has lost his place in the team to Karl Darlow in recent weeks.
Asked if he felt nervous taking the decisive kick, Longstaff told TNT Sports: “I think it makes it easier knowing that if you miss there’s more penalties to come. But I thought Lucas [Perri] was massive today, obviously in the shootout but in the game, the first half especially.
“We’ve ground out a result. It’s never pretty in the FA Cup but we’re happy to get through.
“I think any time you get drawn away to a team in a lower division to you a lot of people expect you to rock up and win but it’s never the case. I thought they were excellent today.
“Ultimately, it comes down to the moments and we were better in the bigger moments today and I’m really happy for Lucas because it’s been – not sort of a tough time for him – but he deserves it today. I’m really happy for him.”
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