FA Cup hero Lucas Perri has said he didn’t know who Birmingham City’s players were when they stepped up to face him in their penalty shootout defeat to Leeds United.
Perri, who joined Leeds from Lyon in July following their promotion to the Premier League, made several vital saves during the match before pushing Tommy Doyle’s penalty away as the Whites won the shootout 4-2, having drawn 1-1 after extra time at the Championship side.
“We had a video but unfortunately, for the first two penalties, they didn’t have the numbers on the shorts so it was difficult for me to see,” Perri told TNT Sports.
“For the third one [by Doyle], we didn’t know exactly where he would shoot. So I went with instinct and I’m happy to help the club.”
Sean Longstaff seals the win for Leeds on penalties! 💥
And breathe…
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 15, 2026
Analysis: Lucas Perri shines as Leeds beat Birmingham
An FA Cup debutant, Perri began the season as first-choice and went on to start in 13 successive league games before being dropped following a 4-3 defeat at Newcastle on January 7.
Replacing Karl Darlow in the fourth round tie against opponents seeking promotion from the second tier, arguably Perri’s most impressive save came when the Brazilian tipped Jay Stansfield’s drive from just inside the box against the woodwork.
“Lucas was excellent today,” said teammate Sean Longstaff, who scored the decisive spot kick of a perfect shootout for Leeds, praising Perri for “two or three massive saves”.
“It makes it easier knowing that, if you miss, there are still more penalties to come. I’m really happy for Lucas, because it’s been a little bit up and down for him. He deserves it.”
One of the best saves you’ll see all weekend from Leeds’ Lucas Perri 🧤
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 15, 2026
Which Birmingham players was Perri talking about?
Here’s how the shootout went, with Perri beaten by Jay Stansfield and Marvin Ducksch and seeing Patrick Roberts, who had scored an 89th-minute equaliser for Birmingham, send his effort over the crossbar.
Lukas Nmecha’s strike had put Leeds ahead in the 49th minute at St Andrew’s.
| Penalty taker | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Jay Stansfield (Birmingham) | Scored |
| Joel Piroe (Leeds) | Scored |
| Marvin Ducksch (Birmingham) | Scored |
| Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds) | Scored |
| Tommy Doyle (Birmingham) | Saved by Perri |
| Brenden Aaronson (Leeds) | Scored |
| Patrick Roberts (Birmingham) | Missed |
| Sean Longstaff (Leeds) | Scored |
Birmingham City starting team vs Leeds United
Birmingham made six changes, with midfielder Paik Seung-ho missing out through a shoulder injury. “It’s concerning because he’s a massive player,” said manager Chris Davies.
Centre-back Jonathan Panzo and forward August Priske made their first starts. Goalkeeper Ryan Allsop, midfielder Doyle and wingers Carlos Vicente and Demarai Gray also came in.
James Beadle, Phil Neumann, Roberts, Ibrahim Osman and Ducksch dropped to the bench.
Midfielder Tomoki Iwata was injured and four defenders were unavailable: Jack Robinson and Ethan Laird have hamstring injuries, Alex Cochrane has an ankle issue and Lee Buchanan has a long-term knee injury.
Birmingham City starting XI: Ryan Allsop, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Jonathan Panzo, Christoph Klarer, Kai Wagner, Carlos Vicente, Jhon Solis, Jay Stansfield, Tommy Doyle, Demarai Gray, August Priske
Birmingham substitutes: James Beadle, Phil Neumann, Patrick Roberts, Ibrahim Osman, Kanya Fujimoto, Marvin Ducksch, Zaid Betteka, William Burrell, Bradley Mayo
Leeds United full line up vs Birmingham City
Leeds also made six changes and did not risk centre-back Pascal Struijk and midfielder Anton Stach, with both players approaching returns from injuries.
On-loan Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Facundo Buonanotte made his first start in place of Ilia Gruev, with Perri replacing Darlow in goal.
Midfielders Longstaff, Noah Okafor and Ao Tanaka and winger Wilfried Gnonto also came in at the expense of Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Jayden Bogle and Brenden Aaronson.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin returned from illness on the bench. The striker had scored his 10th goal of the season in Leeds’ 3-1 home win over Nottingham Forest on February 6 but missed the subsequent draw at Chelsea.
Leeds United starting XI: Lucas Perri, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jaka Bijol, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Wilfried Gnonto, Sean Longstaff, Ao Tanaka, James Justin, Facundo Buonanotte, Lukas Nmecha, Noah Okafor
Leeds substitutes: Karl Darlow, Jayden Bogle, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Joel Piroe, Brenden Aaronson, Sam Byram, Ilia Gruev
Birmingham City vs Leeds United stats
- Birmingham have lost one of their 11 games in all competitions
- They have won three of their last four home matches against Leeds, all in the Championship and all without conceding
- The other match in that sequence was a 5-4 away win for Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds in December 2019
- The hosts are looking to reach the FA Cup fifth round for the first time since the 2019/20 campaign
- City have been eliminated in six of their last seven ties at this stage
- Leeds have progressed from four of their five FA Cup ties against Birmingham, knocking them out in 1971/72, 1976/77, 1997/98 and 2012/13
- The Blues beat Leeds 3-0 at home in the third round in 2004/05
- Leeds have reached the FA Cup fourth round in each of the last four seasons – as many times as they’d managed in their previous 19 combined
- The Whites were knocked out 2-0 at home at this stage by Millwall last season
- They haven’t gone out in the fourth round in consecutive seasons since 1992/93 (vs Arsenal) and 1993/94 (vs Oxford United)
- Since January 2000, Leeds have been drawn away from home in 37 of their 47 FA Cup ties, including 16 of their last 19 (including this tie)
- Among teams to play more than 10 ties since 2000, Leeds have comfortably been drawn away in the highest percentage (79%)
