Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Tue 7 April 2026 13:15, UK

Lucas Perri admitted he did his homework on West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen after starring in Leeds United‘s penalty shootout win in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Perri had arguably his best performance in a Leeds shirt as he saved two spotkicks in the shootout and made a host of big stops at London Stadium on Sunday, which ended in a 2-2 draw after extra-time.

The Brazilian was under huge pressure to deliver after Joel Piroe missed his opening penalty, as Hammers star Bowen stepped up for his effort.

But the Leeds summer signing went the right way to keep out Bowen’s spotkick and then Pablo’s attempt as the Yorkshire team progressed to the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 39 years.

Now, Leeds stopper Perri, who has fallen behind Karl Darlow in the goalkeeping pecking order, has opened up on his pre-match penalty research.

Lucas Perri gets one over on Jarrod Bowen

Perri joined Leeds in the summer for around £15million from Lyon, with the 6ft 5in player appointed their de facto number one.

But the former Botafogo man has flattered to deceive at times in the Premier League, with the 28-year-old last starting a top-flight game in early January, in a 4-3 defeat at Newcastle United.

Wales international Darlow has largely been a steady pair of hands for Leeds since then, but there are a growing number of fans who want Perri back in between the sticks after his West Ham heroics.

According to Sofascore, he had a remarkable matchday rating of 9.9 after his shootout efforts, in addition to making four top saves and one punch inside the box.

Incidentally, the two penalties Bowen had scored this season for West Ham, he went down to the keeper’s left. This time, Perri knew what was coming and comfortably kept out his effort.

He told BBC Sport after the game, “We saw the penalties. The first one was one that we studied a lot, the Bowen penalty. The other ones were more like we had directions, but it was more of my feeling, so I am happy I could make two saves and help the team, too.”

As per LUFC Data, Perri became the first-ever Leeds keeper to save penalties in two separate penalty shootouts.

Moreover, no Leeds stopper has saved more penalties in shootouts than Perri in the club’s history, along with Marco Silvestri (three).

Perri did get very lucky that Taty Castellanos was offside for his goal in the first half of extra time, as the Brazilian made a howler of a headed clearance.

But his heroics here, in addition to his penalty save against Birmingham City in round four of the FA Cup, will have helped his cause in trying to reclaim the number one spot at Leeds.

Perri stakes claim for Leeds starting role

This season, Darlow has had the edge in the Premier League over Perri. His Sofascore rating is 6.91 versus 6.59, and his save percentage (67.9) dwarfs Perri’s (60.3).

In fact, Perri has the worst save percentage in the Premier League, whereas Darlow is at 13th. The Welshman has let in 10 fewer goals, with Perri playing a game more (15 vs 16), with the former Sao Paulo man making 38 saves to Darlow’s 36.

Perri was thrilled at Leeds’ victory, with the Campinas-born player potentially sensing an opportunity for another run in the side.

When it comes to goals prevented, Perri shades Darlow with -2.2 vs -2.8, but the ex-Newcastle ace has been more accurate with his passing.

While it is a smaller sample size, Perri has looked better in the FA Cup. He is likely to be trusted to start in goal for their semi-final against Chelsea.

If he gets that chance, Perri simply has to take it. If not, Leeds could be on the lookout for a new keeper this summer.