Gruev relishing Premier League test after Leeds' FA Cup triumph

Danny Ryan
LiveScore
  
Bulgaria international Ilia Gruev joined Leeds last August
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Ilia Gruev is excited about the prospect of facing either Chelsea or Aston Villa in the FA Cup fifth round following Leeds' 4-1 victory at Plymouth after extra-time.

Daniel Farke's side looked on course to secure passage to the last 16 in normal time when Wilfried Gnonto opened the scoring in the 66th minute but Brendan Galloway levelled things up at Home Park.

Leeds then took the fourth-round replay by the scruff of the neck in the additional 30 minutes of play, with substitutes Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter each finding the back of the net before an unfortunate own goal by Ryan Hardie.

Defensive midfielder Gruev was a standout performer in the all-Championship cup tie and he believes the visitors were the better of the two sides.

The 23-year-old told the BBC: "I think we deserve it and we saw the quality. We are really looking forward to playing against a big Premier League club.

"They [Plymouth] didn't get any chances but they scored off a set-piece. We really wanted to get though to the next round.

Crysencio Summerville is shining in Leeds' attack this season

"It's going to be a big game against Chelsea or Aston Villa.

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"Villa are doing so great and Chelsea are such a big club."

Farke added on the performance in his post-match news conference: "What I liked today is the spirit and heart of my lads. You can think it's just the cup, a replay. It's windy, wet and the pitch is getting worse.

"Fate is against us. My lads showed great heart to win this. They deserve to be proud of themselves."

Leeds will represent a tough task for either Chelsea or Villa later this month.

The Whites are enjoying an impressive league campaign and currently sit third in the Championship table with 18 wins from 30 matches.

Summerville has been Leeds' standout performer in an attacking sense, with the Dutchman tallying 13 goals and eight assists across all competitions.

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Rutter is also enjoying a superb individual campaign as a No10 — the 21-year-old boasting a record of six goals and 10 assists.

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Leeds UnitedFA Cup

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