27 January 2024 , 19:02
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Jaidon Anthony’s wonder goal proved a perfect tribute to his late mum but it wasn’t enough to seal frustrated Leeds an FA Cup win.
United wore black armbands in last Sunday’s Championship victory over Preston after the death of Donna. And the on-loan Bournemouth winger’s brilliant 30th minute strike today was his own individual mark of respect. Anthony, 24, came in from the left touchline, waltzed past three defenders and unleashed a thunderous right-footed shot into the far corner.
As he peeled away in celebration he pulled off his jersey to reveal a T-shirt with the message: “Rest In Perfect Peace Mum.”
But after a slow start, Championship rivals Plymouth grew into this fourth round tie and were rewarded with Adam Randell’s 73rd minute equaliser. Substitute Mustapha Bundu floated a cracking ball in for the 23 year-old midfielder who finished well.
Promotion-chasing Leeds, looking for a sixth straight win, still had plenty of chances to secure a safe passage into the fifth round. But Plymouth keeper Conor Hazard had an inspired afternoon. He saved from Anthony, Patrick Bamford and Ilia Gruev as Daniel Farke’s side pushed for the winner while Mateo Joseph struck just wide at the death.
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Farke bemoaned: “I'm struggling to be annoyed as performance-wise we were so dominant and had good energy. But we played a good side and the problem was we didn’t kill the game with the second goal before and after their goal. Leeds United: We never go the easy way. We have to go the hard way.
“It was a big moment for Jaidon, though, [Anthony] and I’m delighted for him. It was full of quality and shows what he's all about as a player: good technique, a great finish and he's so dangerous in those positions. He can take players on and it meant so much to him.
Leeds' Jaidon Anthony celebrates goal and reveals message for late mum (Getty Images)"You could feel it in the stadium. And also it's not been the easiest few days for him and us as a group. It’d have been better if it was the decisive goal but he was there and gave a good performance."
Anthony did impress for Leeds. With Dan James injured, it was only his fourth start since his summer move. But he grabbed his chance with a fine performance, netting only his second goal in 22 games.
The visitors had a glorious opportunity to take a third minute lead only for leading scorer Morgan Whittaker to scuff over. And then, for the rest of the first half, it was all Leeds who had the skilful Georginio Rutter in wonderful form. He cleverly played Anthony in in the 12th minute with the winger’s strike hitting a post, Hazard tipping Willy Gnonto’s follow-up effort onto the bar.
Hazard also denied Joel Piroe and Ethan Ampadu as the promotion-chasing side continued to press. But Plymouth improved after the break. Leeds needed Sam Byram to desperately head Ryan Hardie’s lob off the line in the 62nd minute, crashing into a post in the process. But Randell earned them the replay.
Plymouth have now gone four games unbeaten since head coach Ian Foster took over following Steven Schumacher’s switch to Stoke. But Foster revealed he blamed himself for Plymouth’s poor first half effort. He said: “I take responsibility for that first half performance.
“Maybe my language wasn’t clear about what I wanted. “I’d spoken about Leeds’ unbeaten home record and maybe that’s why we were too stand-offish. We gave them too much respect. But I spoke to them and we got up to them second half. Our intensity was much better.”