Jack Harrison scored a stunning 25-yard drive as Leeds United progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2016 at the expense of League One side Accrington Stanley.
Harrison, who has been linked with a £20m move to Leicester City, fired a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner to break the deadlock halfway through the first half after Patrick Bamford’s dismissal.
Leeds continued to press in a spirited first half that saw 18 shots, with Luis Sinestra curling an effort over the post.
They got a second goal when their excellent forward play deserved it when Junior Firpo linked up brilliantly with Bamford, the striker’s dribbled reverse pass allowing the left-back to head home for his first Leeds goal. .
Sinistera then sealed a comfortable lead for Leeds when he opened his body and guided home Harrison’s cut-back from the penalty spot.
Accrington started brilliantly and were finally rewarded when 18-year-old substitute Leslie Adikoya scored her first senior goal 38 seconds after coming off the bench with a clever dunk over Alan Meslier.
Jesse Marsh’s Leeds side have gone six Premier League games without a win but the FA Cup offers comfort and could be a confidence boost that boosts their survival fight.
Marsh told BBC Sport that he was most pleased with Leeds’ mentality, adding: “We’ve always got a group that’s ready to work and run. The key is just that. We clearly execute with strategy and get more towards the team we want to be. Collect more results.
“This tournament will give us confidence. We know we have some tough games coming up in the Premier League but the group is feeling better and better about the progress.”
Bamford and Harrison prove value.
The first half was full of chances at both ends with only a superb block from Maximilian Wuber denying Accrington’s Sean Whalley, before January signing Georginio Rutter was dragged on the edge of the area for Leeds.
The quality moment came through Harrison, whose effort was simply unstoppable.
Accrington had chances to equalise, dragging boyhood Leeds fan Harvey Rodgers wide when unmarked at the back post in the early stages of the second period.
Leeds pressed and Bamford’s quality finally showed when he did brilliantly to latch on to Furpo’s pass and then turn left.
The 29-year-old striker, who has one England cap, has managed just 581 minutes so far this season but a return to fitness and form will undoubtedly raise the standard in Leeds’ relegation fight.
Marsh said on 75 minutes that Bamford had made a “big step”, adding: “We were both really happy – he was tired. He hasn’t felt like that for a long time. He will be important for us.”
Harrison, who has struggled to make an impact this season with the performances of Wilfred Gannett and has seen him start at left-back, then showed more quality when his cut-back was completely Sinestra’s. It was heavy on the way.
Accrington, who won a replay against non-League Boreham Wood on Tuesday to reach the fourth round, deserved their consolation goal and it was a moment Adekoya will never forget, before he only came off the bench. Seven have appeared. Club
At 18 years and 285 days, he became the youngest player to score in the FA Cup that season.
