Crawley Town 3 Leeds United 0: Marcelo Bielsa's Whites crash out of FA Cup third round

Whites head coach Marcelo Bielsa made seven changes to his team but still fielded a strong side featuring returning captain Liam Cooper, record signing Rodrigo and England international Kalvin Phillips.

After a goalless first half, Bielsa then made a triple change at the break with Cooper, Pascal Struijk and Rodrigo all coming off as Jack Harrison, Oliver Casey and debutante Jack Jenkins were all introduced.

But Crawley went ahead in the 50th minute when Nick Tsaroulla turned in midfield and escaped the attentions of four players before firing past Kiko Casilla.

Matters went from bad to worse for Leeds and Casilla just three minutes later when a pass from Leif Davis was intercepted which led to Nichols playing in Ashley Nadesan who held off Casey before beating Casilla with a shot that bobbled and went through the 'keeper's hands.

Raphinha and another debutante Sam Greenwood were then introduced for Ian Poveda and Davis but Crawley again went close when a Sam Matthews effort was pushed wide by Casilla.

But Crawley would not be denied a third soon after as Leeds conceded from another set piece which ended with Jordan Tunnicliffe blasting the ball into the roof of the net after Casilla had denied Nadesan at close range.

Crawley should have made it 4-0 in the 78th minute but Max Watters failed to beat Casilla who had come haring off his line looking to clear a long ball.

Watters instead saw his shot blocked by Casey.

United had chances and should have had a penalty in the first half when Rodrigo was pulled down by Tony Craig but the Whites never got going and Crawley brought on former The Only Way Is Essex reality TV star Mark Wright for the closing stages.

Yet for Leeds the only way was out as the Whites found themselves knocked out of the FA Cup at the first stage for the 12th time in the last 18 years.

Crawley Town: Morris, Francomb, Craig, Tunnicliffe, Dallison (M Wright 90), Tsaroulla (J Wright 72), Powell, Hessenthaler (Doherty 90), Matthews (Davies 71), Nadesan (Watters 72), Nichols. Subs: Nelson, McNerney, Frost, Galach.

Leeds United: Casilla, Davis (Greenwood 58), Struijk (Jenkins 46), Cooper (Casey 46), Alioski, Phillips, Shackleton, Hernandez, Poveda (Raphinha 58), Costa, Rodrigo (Harrison 46). Subs not used: Caprile, Huggins.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.

We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.

For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you Laura Collins