Steve McManaman raves about ‘brilliant’ Lucas Perri after what he did in Birmingham vs Leeds
Lucas Perri produced a phenomenal save to deny Jay Stansfield in the first half of Leeds’ FA Cup fourth-round clash against Birmingham City.
The score is currently 0-0 at half-time, and although Birmingham started the game much stronger, Leeds have grown into the affair as the first 45 minutes have passed.
Stansfield has come the closest to opening the scoring for the Blues, while Sean Longstaff had a long-range strike of his own that tested goalkeeper Ryan Allsop.
Daniel Farke won’t pleased with his side’s performance, and they have a lot of work to do if they wish to progress to the fifth round.
However, Steve McManaman was in shock by what he had seen from Perri at St. Andrew’s.
Lucas Perri produces world-class save to deny Jay Stansfield
The Whites spent £13.9million when they signed Perri from Lyon in the summer, but he has been underwhelming throughout the season.
Since arriving from France, the Brazilian has been exposed numerous times for his lapses in concentration, and Karl Darlow replaced him as the first-choice goalkeeper in January.
However, on his first start since 7 January, the 28-year-old produced a brilliant one-handed stop to deny Jay Stansfield’s strike from just inside the box.
| Birmingham | Stats | Leeds |
| 56% | Possession | 44% |
| 8 | Shots | 3 |
| 0.65 | xG | 0.06 |
| 86% | Pass accuracy | 79% |
The English striker hit a fierce half-volley that looked destined for the top corner, only for the Brazilian to tip the shot onto the post with his right hand.
Speaking live on TNT Sports as a co-commentator for the match, McManaman was in awe of what Perri had just done.
He said: “Oh, lovely. It’s almost the wrong hand as he comes across with his right hand and tips it onto the bar.
“Brilliant, brilliant stop by Perri. That came out of the blue because he hasn’t had much to do. Suddenly, there’s a shot with bodies in front of him. Brilliant effort, even better save.”
That save will do him the world of good as he tries to reclaim his place as the number one goalkeeper at Elland Road.
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Karl Darlow will be nervously watching on after Perri’s save
Darlow may have kept a clean sheet in the 1-0 win over Fulham, but his form has gone downhill ever since.
The Wales international punched the ball into his own net during the 4-0 loss to Arsenal on 31 January and looked uneasy in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea.
Following Perri’s heroic save, Darlow will be nervously looking on as the goalkeeper position is still firmly up for grabs in LS11.
As for the Brazilian shot-stopper, a convincing second-half performance could be enough for him to return to the starting lineup in the Premier League.
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