Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch was ecstatic that Sonny Perkins managed to score his first professional goal at the age of just 18 to drag the Whites into the FA Cup Fourth Round draw with a last-gasp equaliser at Cardiff.
The teenager came on for just his second appearance of the season in the dying moments against the Bluebirds, as Marsch gave one last roll of the dice to avoid Leeds going a sixth year on the spin with third round disappointment. His tactics worked a treat as Perkins latched on to Junior Firpo's ball in the last minute to send the away end into bedlam and keep Leeds in the hat.
No one was happier for him than Marsch. The American had offered Perkins his chance to take the stage, and whilst the London-born youngster will be happy for the chance provided, Marsch couldn't hide his happiness for the former West Ham youth.
READ MORE: Every word Jesse Marsch said on Leeds United's last-gasp draw at Cardiff
He said: "We all remember our first goal, and to get it in a game of this magnitude at such a vital time, it’s something he will remember forever.
"He looked calm, certainly calmer than I would have been. Great work from Gnonto on the left, that energy to keep going. You could feel it coming a bit with Cardiff in that second half, couldn’t quite clear their lines and the sending off didn’t help.
"Good wing play, and you can just see Tom Sang playing him onside as he doesn’t quite get off the pitch, it’s a lovely little toe poke, a real poacher’s finish."
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