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FA Cup highlights: West Ham 2-2 (2-4 Pens) Leeds United
After a 39-year wait to celebrate an FA Cup semi-final appearance, Leeds United supporters are now daring to dream of lifting the trophy for the first time since 1972.
They endured a rollercoaster of emotions in a captivating quarter-final clash at West Ham.
Daniel Farke’s side led 2-0 as the clock ticked into the third of 11 minutes of added time, only to concede twice and force extra time at the London Stadium.
The home side twice thought they had scored the winning goal, only for both efforts to be ruled out for offside.
Leeds also missed their first penalty in the shootout as 20-year-old reserve goalkeeper Finlay Herrick, making his West Ham debut after replacing the injured Alphonse Areola, saved Joel Piroe’s spot-kick.
However, Brazilian goalkeeper Lucas Perri saved from Jarrod Bowen and Pablo, before Pascal Struijk held his nerve to secure a 4-2 penalty shootout victory for Leeds, booking a Wembley semi-final tie against Chelsea.
“It was a bit of a crazy game, lots of excitement, and in a quarter-final both teams are fighting to make history for their club,” said Farke, who was just 10 years old when Leeds lost 3-2 to Coventry City in a dramatic 1987 semi-final that also went to extra time.
“I’m just proud of my boys, how we dealt with so many setbacks, not just the two late goals but injuries. We missed the first penalty but we stuck together and wanted to win.
“We have rewarded our fantastic fanbase with the first semi-final in decades, so it’s a great night for Leeds United.”
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Tanaka puts Leeds ahead at West Ham after some ‘fancy footwork’
Leeds have won the FA Cup just once, defeating Arsenal 1-0 at Wembley with Allan Clarke’s diving header, but have lost in three finals, including to Chelsea after a replay at Old Trafford in 1970.
They were beaten in the semi-finals by Manchester United in 1977 and Coventry a decade later, and lost in the quarter-finals in 1996, 1998 and 2003.
With Manchester City facing Championship side Southampton in the other semi-final, Leeds will meet Chelsea.
Farke’s side will not be overawed by the Blues, having beaten Chelsea 3-1 at Elland Road in December and drawing 2-2 at Stamford Bridge in February during this season’s Premier League campaign.
Farke admitted that regardless of the outcome on the weekend of 25-26 April, it will be a special occasion.
“I feel pretty humble as you can see how much it means to our supporters to get to the first semi-final in decades – it has not been an easy time for the club,” the German added.
“You can see it in the fans’ eyes, I know how much it means to them.
“We will be the underdog, that’s for sure. Chelsea are a big name and a side full of top players, but we have written history. Nobody expected us to go though to the semi-final and, of course, we are greedy to go to the next step.
“Now we will try to take over the capital with 30,000 people.”
Before they head to north London, those present in east London will cherish this experience for years to come.
Leeds sold out their entire allocation of 9,000 tickets, filling the space behind one of the goals and creating a fantastic atmosphere.
For much of the match, the Whites appeared to be in control. Ao Tanaka of Japan gave them the lead in the first half, and England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin doubled their advantage with a 75th-minute penalty that seemed to seal the victory.
However, in the 11 minutes of injury time, Mateus Fernandes and Axel Disasi scored to force the tie into extra time.
Taty Castellanos and Pablo both had goals ruled out for offside by the video assistant referee (VAR) in a breathless extra-time period, during which Leeds also had two shots cleared off the line.
Adding to the drama, Areola sustained a leg injury at the end of injury time, resulting in Herrick – who was on loan at fifth-tier Boreham Wood as recently as January – making his first Hammers appearance in the 120th minute and just before the shootout.
He saved from Piroe, but Perri ensured he would be the goalkeeping hero with his two saves.
“This is the magic of the cup, anything can happen and today was a crazy and memorable game. Happy that we won the match and we are into the semi-finals now,” said Perri.
“For this fanbase it shows the magic of them, the love they have for this team. It is a pleasure to play for this team.”
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Herrick’s dramatic debut save and Struijk’s winner – West Ham v Leeds penalty shootout
For Calvert-Lewin, it will be a swift return to Wembley, having played for England in the 1-1 international friendly draw with Uruguay on 27 March – his first Three Lions appearance in almost five years.
In addition to scoring in regulation time, he also converted his penalty in the shootout, and playing in a Wembley FA Cup semi-final will be a new high in the 29-year-old’s club career.
“I’ve never had the opportunity to play at Wembley for a club before, so for me it was a big chance,” said Calvert-Lewin, who scored within six minutes of coming on as a substitute.
“When it went to 2-2, I thought maybe it’s not meant to be, but thankfully, we stuck in there and got the win.
“It’s always going to be a difficult match against Chelsea. They’re a good side, but it’s the FA Cup, we’re going to Wembley. Excited.
“I had a good feeling, particularly before I came on, that there was going to be chances to make an impact.”
Leeds last played at Wembley two years ago, losing 1-0 to Southampton in the Championship play-off final, before winning the division the following season to secure promotion to the Premier League.
Like their opponents West Ham, they are still fighting for Premier League survival, with Farke’s side in 15th place, just four points above 18th-placed West Ham in the relegation zone.
“We still have to win our points in the Premier League but this will give us confidence and belief and how it feels to deal with pressure – and these experiences are priceless,” added Farke.
“As a manager, even if you are 2-0 up, you know in a split second the whole world can change. I never doubted my players and always believe in them. They had setbacks but found a way to celebrate.
“It will be a big night for us. Getting to the FA Cup semi-final is a great step for this club and a great reward for everyone connected with this club.
“I said [before] it’s not realistic [to win the FA Cup], but we want to achieve unrealistic goals and we are on the right path to doing this.”
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