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Sutton United 1-0 Leeds United

By Patrick JenningsBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments207

Sutton United pulled off one of the biggest shocks of this season's FA Cup with a fourth-round win over Leeds, a team 83 league places above them.

Jamie Collins' second-half penalty sent the National League side through to Monday's draw with a deserved victory over Championship opposition.

Sutton, the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, dominated throughout, and forward Roarie Deacon had a goal controversially ruled out for offside.

Leeds had Liam Cooper sent off late on.

Paul Doswell's side, 16th in England's fifth tier, secured a famous win in front of a sell-out crowd on their artificial pitch at Gander Green Lane.

After National League leaders Lincoln beat Brighton 3-1 on Saturday, there are now two non-league teams in the FA Cup's fifth round for the first time.

Much-changed Leeds suffer upset

Garry Monk made 10 changes to the Leeds side who beat Nottingham Forest in their last Championship game, and saw his players struggle.

The only clear opening they created fell to Stuart Dallas, who was denied by a Ross Worner save when played through on goal in the first half.

Deacon, who scored four goals in Sutton's run to round four, twice forced Leeds keeper Marco Silvestri into spectacular saves from range, and had a goal disallowed.

When Deacon ran on to a long ball over the top via a Maxime Biamou flick, he appeared to be level with the Leeds defence, and only realised the assistant referee's flag had gone up after smashing home with his left foot.

Before stand-in captain Cooper picked up the second of two yellow cards with eight minutes to play, Monk gave a debut to 18-year-old substitute forward Mallik Wilks, whose brother was shot dead outside a barber's shop in Leeds on Thursday.

Sutton's route to round five

  • Round four: Leeds (h) W1-0
  • Round three (replay): AFC Wimbledon (a) W3-1
  • Round three: AFC Wimbledon (h) D0-0
  • Round two: Cheltenham (h) W2-1
  • Round one: Dartford (a) W6-3
  • Fourth qualifying round: Forest Green (h) W2-1

The history-makers

In January 1989, Sutton achieved arguably one of the greatest upsets in FA Cup history with a third-round victory over Coventry, who had won the competition 20 months before.

The famous run ended at the next step however, with an 8-0 defeat by Norwich at Carrow Road.

After the whistle on Sunday, the home fans poured on to the pitch in wild celebration as their side reached the fifth round for the first time.

Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City are among those waiting for Monday's draw, and Sutton captain Collins - a part-time builder - is hoping to meet a Premier League side next.

After sending Leeds keeper Silvestri the wrong way with his penalty he said: "The manager always tells me to go high but I hit it low and hard.

"We'd like a big boy away now. Arsenal, Manchester United. But we will enjoy tonight. For us to get the result is massive. You saw the fans' reaction. But we knew we could win, especially at home.

"On Friday I was on a building site," he told BBC Radio 5 live. "This is a great day. What a fantastic achievement."

'It's a life-changer'

I knew we were in with a right chance! - Sutton's Doswell

Sutton's manager Doswell is a property developer, and he lent the club £500,000 for the installation of the artificial pitch, to be paid back interest-free over 10 years.

It means the club cannot be promoted under current league rules - the EFL does not allow artificial surfaces - but helps reduce maintenance costs and avoid expenses related to postponements.

Under his guidance, Sutton were promoted as National League South champions last season, winning 26 games in a row.

"I can't praise the players enough. We deserved to win, it wasn't a lucky 1-0 win," he told BBC Radio 5 live.

"I feel sorry for Garry Monk to a certain extent because his eyes have to be on the Premier League. I totally get that. The changes he made weren't perhaps the quality of his starting XI, but what a fantastic achievement."

He added on BT Sport: "It's a life-changer now. You hope and pray you do get one of the big clubs in the next round. Manchester City away or Chelsea, Manchester United, any of them."

Leeds focus on the league?

Leeds, fourth in the Championship, play again on Wednesday when they continue their push for Premier League promotion at Blackburn Rovers.

"It was a very frustrating performance, but it's my responsibility and I take it on the chin," said manager Garry Monk.

"I'm the one who picks the team. I made a lot of changes and it didn't work. It backfired. We're doing very well in the league. We have to get the balance right.

"Maybe it was one step too far. One change too many, but credit to Sutton, it's a fantastic result for them. We wish them good luck in the next round."

Line-ups

Sutton United

Formation 4-5-1

  • 1Worner
  • 2Amankwaah
  • 27Downer
  • 6Collins
  • 17Spence
  • 24Biamou
  • 15EastmondSubstituted forTraoreat 90+1'minutes
  • 16BaileyBooked at 76mins
  • 12May
  • 21DeaconBooked at 40mins
  • 8Gomis

Substitutes

  • 5John
  • 10Fitchett
  • 11Gueye
  • 19Monakana
  • 23Traore
  • 28Tubbs
  • 29Shaw

Leeds

Formation 4-1-2-1-2

  • 12Silvestri
  • 31Coyle
  • 34McKay
  • 6CooperBooked at 82mins
  • 33DentonBooked at 32mins
  • 16Grimes
  • 37WhitehouseSubstituted forRoofeat 73'minutes
  • 15DallasSubstituted forSackoat 57'minutesBooked at 90mins
  • 23Phillips
  • 10Antonsson
  • 11DoukaraSubstituted forWilksat 64'minutes

Substitutes

  • 2Ayling
  • 7Roofe
  • 24Sacko
  • 25Vieira
  • 30Peacock-Farrell
  • 36Wilks
  • 38Vann
Referee:
Stuart Attwell
Attendance:
4,997

Match Stats

Home TeamSutton UnitedAway TeamLeeds
Possession
Home32%
Away68%
Shots
Home11
Away7
Shots on Target
Home5
Away3
Corners
Home4
Away4
Fouls
Home14
Away12

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Sutton United 1, Leeds United 0.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Sutton United 1, Leeds United 0.

  3. Booking

    Hadi Sacko (Leeds United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  4. Post update

    Foul by Hadi Sacko (Leeds United).

  5. Post update

    Gomis (Sutton United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  6. Substitution

    Substitution, Sutton United. Baboye Traore replaces Craig Eastmond.

  7. Post update

    Attempt missed. Marcus Antonsson (Leeds United) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Matt Grimes.

  8. Post update

    Kemar Roofe (Leeds United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  9. Post update

    Foul by Adam May (Sutton United).

  10. Post update

    Foul by Lewie Coyle (Leeds United).

  11. Post update

    Gomis (Sutton United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  12. Post update

    Attempt missed. Adam May (Sutton United) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.

  13. Post update

    Offside, Sutton United. Adam May tries a through ball, but Jamie Collins is caught offside.

  14. Dismissal

    Second yellow card to Liam Cooper (Leeds United) for a bad foul.

  15. Post update

    Foul by Liam Cooper (Leeds United).

  16. Post update

    Craig Eastmond (Sutton United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  17. Post update

    Attempt saved. Roarie Deacon (Sutton United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.

  18. Post update

    Delay over. They are ready to continue.

  19. Post update

    Delay in match Maxime Biamou (Sutton United) because of an injury.

  20. Post update

    Attempt saved. Matt Grimes (Leeds United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Hadi Sacko.

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207 comments

  • Comment posted by AMS, at 16:23 29 Jan 2017

    As a Leeds fan of nearly 50 years I have never been more ashamed of my team. Massive congratulations to Sutton. Leeds like so many clubs this weekend have lost their moral compass and if Leeds fail to make it back back to the morally corrupt PL I for one will not shed a year.

  • Comment posted by Mordor Tourism Board, at 16:34 29 Jan 2017

    I was there when Sutton drew 1-1 with Middlesbrough in the 3rd round, only to go out 0-1 in the last minute of extra time in the replay. I was there when Sutton beat Coventry 2-1 in the 3rd round the following year.

    Despite Leeds playing a weakened side, for Sutton this win is right up there. We are a small club and this is big for us.

  • Comment posted by mark, at 16:24 29 Jan 2017

    Shocking from Leeds. They should hang their heads. Well done Sutton. Cant wait for the draw !

  • Comment posted by Doc Savage, at 16:33 29 Jan 2017

    The big teams get what they deserve. You keep doing this then eventually it will bite you. For the first time in ages there could be more non-premier team in the last 16 than top- league clubs. I'm a spurs fan and I actually hoped we lost yesterday as we'd disrespected the competition with the team we put out. Each time I see this I hope the club doing it gets a bloody nose.

  • Comment posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 16:30 29 Jan 2017

    Welldone Sutton, hope they get a big club as its more money and thats good for lower league football. The so called big clubs that have so devalued this historic competition and the FA and premier league that allow this to happen should be ashamed.

  • Comment posted by Shortie, at 17:11 29 Jan 2017

    Congratulations to Sutton for playing the game competitively. As a Leeds fan, I think that Gary Monk should be made to walk back to Leeds on his knees, for disrespecting the game, the competition and the club. I find it a complete disgracce

  • Comment posted by Arsenal42, at 16:29 29 Jan 2017

    Amazing, 2 non-league teams in the 5th round. Who says that romance is dead?

  • Comment posted by The Cats Giblets, at 16:37 29 Jan 2017

    18 . Yeah I agree, let's give the trophy to Man Utd every year just because they have the most fans , or lets vote teams off x-factor style...or you can just stop the stupid comments and actually congratulate a team doing well for themselves In a competition that is so unique that it can only happen In this tournament...what an egotistical idiot you really are

  • Comment posted by Tha Mayor, at 16:20 29 Jan 2017

    Well done Sutton!

  • Comment posted by Mad Mark, at 17:31 29 Jan 2017

    If professional footballers can't play two games a week then they are nowhere near the quality of the teams in the 60s who regularly played Saturday for the club and Internationals of European games midweek. Heavy balls and muddy pitches added to the effort. All for a few beans rather than a sack of gold. There's no excuse for fielding weakened teams. One disappointed White living in Sutton.

  • Comment posted by User0831486097, at 16:32 29 Jan 2017

    Three Championship clubs in line for promotion go out.
    No coincidence really.

  • Comment posted by Perton66, at 17:03 29 Jan 2017

    Well done to Lincoln and Sutton from a Hednesford Town fan. Shame on the so-called professional bigger clubs for putting weakened teams onto the pitch. If you intend to do it then tell your own supporters well in advance so that they can decide if they want to travel great distances to watch their academy team play

  • Comment posted by BlueIsTheColour, at 17:21 29 Jan 2017

    I don't get it when teams like Newcastle and Leeds field weakened sides in the FA Cup. They are basically saying they don't care if they lose, strange mentality for any football club.

  • Comment posted by 23Mike, at 17:05 29 Jan 2017

    54 Blackbushe

    I agree totally. The side that Leeds put out against Sutton last time they met in 1970 was a full strength team, and you are right, teams were fined for failing to play their best available team. Two and three replays in League and FA Cup, two and three games a week, and one substitute. Bring that back, or better still deduct points for teams who disrespect the game and their fans

  • Comment posted by phantomwhite, at 16:40 29 Jan 2017

    What a thoroughly disrespectful and badly judged team selection that was from Monk. There is a time and place to give debuts to youngsters, but away from home in a televised FA cup game on a plastic pitch is not one of them! There's clearly a reason the likes of Denton and Whitehouse haven't played all season, they're nowhere near good enough.

  • Comment posted by TiredAndEmotional, at 16:46 29 Jan 2017

    I guess what this years cup has shown is there really isn't that much difference in ability between premier league/championship reserves and lower league players.

    Apart from the pay packet of course.

    I'm kind of hoping that Brighton, Newcastle and Leeds don't get promoted now, just so they sacrificed the cup for nothing.

  • Comment posted by Alan M, at 17:21 29 Jan 2017

    Well done to Sutton United, but biggest surprise is that they couldn't beat a very poor junior Leeds team by more than one goal! However, Gary Monk the Leeds manager should be made to personally refund all the relevant travel and match costs to each and every Leeds fan who travelled all the way down from the North to the game hoping to see a proper team put out by the visitors..

  • Comment posted by Big Ernie McCracken, at 16:33 29 Jan 2017

    another 2nd string side goes out in the chase for PL money, the answer is to increase the prize money , it's not like the the FA are short of money.
    This is the oldest competition in world football, the competition that started it all and if the prize was the cup and CL football, the winner would deserve their place over a team that finished 4th 20 points behind the champions.

  • Comment posted by Blackbushe, at 16:58 29 Jan 2017

    I remember in the 70's when Leeds dropped players in the League on Tuesday as they had a cup semi final at the weekend. They were fined £5000. How things change. Now, desperation to get in the Premier leaves all that behind. Then, as they can't beat any of the top four in it, they'll play a weakand team so they can do better against the bottom four next week. All that and fans pay £40+ for it.

  • Comment posted by steve clark, at 17:32 29 Jan 2017

    Well done to Sutton and Lincoln for their successes. As for the top league clubs who field reserve teams and moan about needing a winter break; let them stew in their own juice.By fielding weakened teams and talking about 'prioritising' certain games (suggesting they are not too bothered about losing) managers of these teams are cheating their clubs' supporters.

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