Gary Neville names Leeds star Daniel Farke should not bench again following his monstrous display vs Birmingham City despite having small play time

In a thrilling FA Cup fourth-round clash at St Andrew’s, Leeds United secured a hard-fought progression to the fifth round by defeating Birmingham City 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time. While the match will be remembered for Lukas Nmecha’s clinical strike and Patrick Roberts’ late equalizer, it was the introduction of captain Ethan Ampadu from the bench that proved transformative—and caught the eye of Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville.

Leeds struggled in the first half, with January signing Facundo Buonanotte failing to impose himself and the team looking disjointed against a dominant Birmingham side. Manager Daniel Farke acted decisively at halftime, replacing Buonanotte with Ampadu, the versatile Welsh international who typically anchors the midfield or bolsters the defense.

The impact was immediate. Ampadu brought composure, tenacity, and leadership to the visitors’ ranks. Within four minutes of the restart, Leeds took the lead through Nmecha’s brilliant finish from the edge of the area, as the team gained control and threatened more consistently. Ampadu was prominent throughout the second period, driving forward, winning duels, and nearly scoring himself by charging down a clearance. Even as Birmingham leveled late through Roberts’ deflected effort in the 89th minute, Ampadu’s presence helped Leeds stay resilient in extra time, where he had further chances before the shootout.

Gary Neville, commentating on the tie, was full of praise for Ampadu’s cameo. The former Manchester United defender highlighted how the substitute shifted the momentum, describing him as the catalyst who “turned the game” for Leeds. Neville lauded Ampadu’s “infectious energy” and “professionalism,” noting that despite starting on the bench—perhaps due to rotation in a congested schedule—the captain demonstrated exactly why he is so highly valued. “That’s what leaders do,” Neville remarked. “He came on, steadied the ship, and gave Leeds the platform to win it. Impactful doesn’t even cover it— he was game-changing.”

Ampadu’s performance underscored his growing stature at Leeds since joining from Chelsea. As captain, he embodies the fight and quality Farke demands, often excelling in high-pressure moments. In a match that went the distance and tested nerves in the penalty lottery, his influence from the bench was a reminder of his importance to the squad’s ambitions, both in the cup and the Premier League push.

Neville’s endorsement adds to the chorus of acclaim for Ampadu, who continues to prove doubters wrong with consistent, high-level displays. For Leeds fans, seeing their skipper deliver yet again—even off the bench—offers optimism amid a demanding season.