Lucas Perri is the man who must end appalling Leeds record as damning stat emerges
Leeds’ 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest on Sunday extended a shocking 22-year record in the Premier League that Lucas Perri must stop.
Goals from Ibrahim Sangare, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Elliott Anderson’s penalty condemned the visitors to a fifth away defeat of the campaign.
Perri has been impressive for Leeds since arriving from Lyon in the summer transfer window, and he made a splendid save from Igor Jesus’ deflected strike moments before Lukas Nmecha’s opener.
Elliot Anderson’s penalty left fans frustrated, and it marks 22 years since the supporters were able to see their shot stopper save a penalty.
Leeds fans haven’t seen their goalkeeper save a penalty in 22 years
December 2002 marks the last occasion Leeds fans witnessed their goalkeeper save a Premier League penalty.
Illan Meslier did save a penalty against Leeds’ 2-0 loss to West Ham in March 2021, but that was during the COVID season, where fans weren’t allowed in stadiums.
The last time a Leeds goalkeeper saved a Premier League penalty in front of fans was in December 2002 against Bolton.
| Stat | Lucas Perri |
| Appearances | 6 |
| Saves | 12 |
| Save percentage | 50% |
| Penalties saved | 0/2 |
Since Paul Robinson saved the spot-kick in 2002, Leeds have faced 24 penalties, and fans are yet to celebrate the euphoria of seeing one stopped.
Perri also conceded a penalty in Leeds’ 5-0 defeat to Arsenal, and whilst his numbers don’t bode well in comparison to other Premier League goalkeepers, the defensive issues are contributing to this.
The Brazilian goalkeeper had a save percentage of 72.5 per cent in the Ligue 1 for Lyon in 2024-25, and it’s clear that he has been let down by his defence many times this season.
Leeds are expected to be relegated, and the defenders must stop giving away cheap penalties if they want to steer clear of the drop zone.
Leeds’ defensive woes continue to harm their survival chances
Perri will need to improve his penalty-saving abilities, but Leeds have shot themselves in the foot multiple times this season.
Joe Rodon is the shining light for Leeds this season, whilst Jayden Bogle has been brutally exposed at right-back.
The Peacocks currently sit 16th in the Premier League table, having conceded 20 goals in their 11 matches.
It’s clear that not only does Daniel Farke need to improve his side in attack, but their defensive woes are becoming far too obvious for other teams to expose.
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