Big-match verdict: Leeds battle back but Pontus Jansson picks up ban and Liam Cooper an injury

Leeds United may pay a heavy price for progression to the fourth round after victory at League Two Cambridge United came with the definite loss of Pontus Jansson and the possible loss of his fellow centre-back Liam Cooper.
Stuart Dallas is congratulated by team-mates after equalising for Leeds United against League Two Cambridge United in their FA Cup third round tie (Picture: Bruce Rollinson).Stuart Dallas is congratulated by team-mates after equalising for Leeds United against League Two Cambridge United in their FA Cup third round tie (Picture: Bruce Rollinson).
Stuart Dallas is congratulated by team-mates after equalising for Leeds United against League Two Cambridge United in their FA Cup third round tie (Picture: Bruce Rollinson).

Jansson picked up his 10th yellow card of the season, and a two-match ban, when, in the 29th minute, he fouled Luke Berry to concede a free-kick from which the hosts took the lead.

There was no shock about it as Cambridge dominated the first half with Leeds lucky to be only 1-0 down.

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Eventually, United’s class rose to the surface as second-half goals from Stuart Dallas and Alex Mowatt turned the game on its head.

But Leeds are left facing up to being without another centre-back for Friday’s Championship clash with Derby County as Cooper hobbled off injured to be replaced by Kyle Bartley.

Cambridge began brightly with prolific goalscoring midfielder Berry causing problems though Leeds hit the crossbar with their first attack when a looping cross from Marcus Antonsson sailed on to the top of the woodwork and over.

But Cambridge were firmly on the front foot and Marco Silvestri was forced to produce a low save to deny Ikpeazu.

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Berry was then handed a free-kick some 25 yards out and produced a fine curled effort that whizzed just wide of Silvestri’s right-hand post.

After Kalvin Phillips was booked for hacking down Ikpeazu, Leeds picked up a second booking when Jansson took down Berry in the 25th minute. Berry’s free-kick deflected to Ikpeazu who smashed the ball past Silvestri.

Leeds looked rattled and were lucky not to concede a second though the Whites went close on two occasions in the 43rd minute. First a dipping shot from Mowatt was tipped over the bar by Will Norris and Norris then denied Cooper from the corner by blocking his header on the line. But the Us were full value for their 1-0 lead.

Leeds’s head coach Garry Monk hauled off the booked Berardi for Lewie Coyle during the interval, but Cambridge almost doubled their lead five minutes after the restart when James Dunne’s rising volley was clawed over the bar by Silvestri.

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Six minutes later Leeds drew level when a cross from Mowatt was met by Dallas, whose header made it 1-1. Antonsson was only denied a second by a smart save from Norris moments later.

But there was no denying Leeds a second goal three minutes after the hour when a Dallas corner was headed on by Jansson to Mowatt, whose flick sailed into the corner to turn the game on its head.

Leeds were back on track, but were then dealt another blow in the 71st minute when Cooper went down injured and had to hobble off to by replaced by Bartley.

With Jansson now suspended for the next two games, Cooper’s injury could leave Leeds with just one fit natural centre-back ahead of Friday’s ecnounter with Derby with right-back Luke Ayling likely to partner Bartley if Cooper is ruled out.

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At least Leeds had done enough for victory, but Cambridge went close to bagging an 89th-minute equaliser when Piero Mingoia forced a desperate save from Silvestri.

A Cambridge free-kick in the fourth minute of stoppage-time also spelled danger, but Leeds saw out time to book their place in the next round away to either AFC Wimbledon or Sutton.

Cambridge United: Norris, Taylor, Adams, Dunne, Roberts, Legge, Mingoia, Berry, Clark (Williamson 88), Newton (Dunk 66), Ikpeazu.Unused substitutes:Gregory, Darling, Davies, Maris, Pigott.

Leeds United: Silvestri, Berardi (Coyle 45), Jansson, Cooper (Bartley 71), Denton, Grimes, Phillips, Mowatt, Doukara (Roofe 59), Antonsson, Dallas. Unused substitutes: Green, Vieira, O’Kane, Wood.

Referee: Craig Pawson.