Crawley Town stun and dump Leeds United out of FA Cup at the first hurdle

Crawley Town have pulled off the biggest shock of the third round weekend as they embarrassed Premier League giants Leeds United 3-0 this afternoon.

Second half goals from Nick Tsaroulla, Ashley Nadesan and Jordan Tunnicliffe set the League Two side on their way to a famous victory and a place in tomorrow night’s fourth round draw.

It was the home side who made the brighter start, taking the game to the Premier League side having a flurry of corners in quick succession but weren’t able to do anything with them in the first ten minutes.

The away side grew into the game and had the better of the early chances, Ian Poveda and Pablo Hernandez both had good opportunities but the home side were more than equal to it in the early moments.

Leeds’ biggest spark of the half was Hernandez who pulled off a nutmeg into the path of Helder Costa who had his heals clipped but the Red Devils managed to get the ball away and clear the danger.

The away side continued to look for a moment of quality, it nearly came from Hernandez who picked out Rodrigo on the edge of the box but the forward’s effort was  way off target.

Crawley were nearly in after a mistake from Kalvin Phillips, the midfielder who was playing out of position nearly gifted  Nadesan in but a recovery was made and Leeds cleared the danger.

Moments later, Tom Nichols was denied by Kiko Casilla with a header following a corner to keep the sides level going into the break.

Bielsa made three changes at the interval, which included bringing on influential midfielder Jack Harrison in search of better fortune in front of goal.

Despite the changes, it was Crawley who took the lead five minutes into the second half. Tsaroulla collected the ball just outside the box before spinning a defender and moving into the area, he then fired a fine strike low into the bottom corner to send the home side in front.

It didn’t take long for the host to double their lead. Sloppy play from the visitors allowed Nichols in he sent Nadesan through on the right side of the penalty box, he sent an effort goalwards which was misjudged by Casilla and it meant the Red Devils went two goals to the good.

Just when you thought the visitors were coming back into it, they fell further behind this time, it was Tunnicliffe with it. Nadesan struck an effort on goal which was saved, however it fell for Tunnicliffe unmarked and he sent an effort into the roof of the net to put the game behind the Yorkshire club.

The home side didn’t settle for three and continued to push for more, second half sub Max Watters caused havoc after being introduced, seeing two efforts blocked as he looked to get in on the action.

The Red Devils saw the came through brilliantly and thoroughly deserve their place in the last 32.

 

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