Match Report | Leeds United 5-2 Cardiff City

The Bluebirds bowed out of the Emirates FA Cup after falling to defeat against Leeds United in a Third Round Replay.

Interim First Team Manager Dean Whitehead saw his side fall behind within the first minute of the match, as Wilfried Gnonto dispatched into the roof of the net from a lofted ball behind the Bluebirds backline.

City worked several half-chances down the left flank, with Rubin Colwill and Sheyi Ojo combining well. The latter did well to create space and pick out Mark Harris with a cross, but the Welsh international couldn't direct his header on target.

After 34 minutes, Spanish striker Rodrigo netted a second for the hosts. A pinpoint pass from Jack Harrison split the City defence, allowing the Leeds forward to round Jak Alnwick and find the bottom corner with ease.

Jesse Marsch's men added a third two minutes later, with the lively Gnonto on target once more. The winger cut into the box and drilled a low effort through the legs of Tom Sang and into the bottom corner.

In the dying moments of the first half, Curtis Nelson looked to have reduced the deficit with a header from a corner, after Kion Etete's neat flick. However, the goal was ruled out after a VAR check, with Andy Rinomhota adjudged to have been interfering from an offside position.

The Premier League outfit picked up where they left off at the start of the second half, forcing a number of saves from Alnwick.

Despite City's best defensive efforts, the introduction of Patrick Bamford allowed the hosts to extend their lead. The striker did well to beat the offside trip after 71 minutes, delicately lifting the ball over Alnwick and into the net.

Five minutes later, Leeds flooded forward after City surrendered possession in the middle of the park, with Bamford able to add a fifth with a delicate finish.

In the final few minutes, Callum Robinson pulled one back for the Bluebirds, nipping in to head home Ojo's cross after a deflection off Luke Ayling.

Robinson scored a second goal deep into injury time, after City were awarded a penalty for handball. The striker smoothly rolled the ball straight down the middle to end a difficult night on a positive note.

City exit the Cup at this stage, and return to Championship action at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, 21st January against Millwall.

Full Time: Leeds United 5-2 Cardiff City

Cardiff City: Alnwick, Sang, Nelson, Simpson, Bagan, Sawyers, Rinomhota (Robinson 64'), R. Colwill (Wintle 46'), Ojo (Whyte 89'), Harris (Kipré 46'), Etete (Davies 64').

Subs not used: Allsop, Ng, O'Dowda, Philogene.

Leeds United: Meslier, Kristensen, Llorente, Wöber (Ayling 57'), Firpo, Roca, Adams (Aaronson 46'), Harrison (Sinisterra 79'), Gnonto (Gelhardt 67'), Greenwood, Rodrigo (Bamford 46').

Subs not used: Robles, Struijk, Perkins, Gyabi.