Leeds United survived a scare to beat West Ham on penalties and reach a first FA Cup semi-final in 39 years.
Daniel Farke’s side blew a two-goal lead in stoppage time as West Ham fought back to force extra-time, and missed the first penalty of the shootout in a rollercoaster game. However, Lucas Perri saved from Jarrod Bowen and Pablo Felipe, allowing Pascal Struijk to send the visitors to Wembley.
Ao Tanaka had put Leeds ahead in the first half, as the Japanese midfielder showed fine footwork inside the area, before his effort deflected in off the underside of the crossbar.
Farke made only three changes to the side that drew with Brentford before the international break and was rewarded with a strong showing for much of the contest. Leeds created the better chances and were rewarded with a second goal when substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted from the spot.
Max Kilman brought down Brenden Aaronson in the box, with a spot-kick awarded after a VAR review. Calvert-Lewin made no mistake to smash his effort into the side-netting.
West Ham had been second best but were lifted after the announcement of 11 minutes of stoppage time. Hope was restored moments later, when Jarrod Bowen’s brilliant effort came back off the post, with Mateus Fernandes on hand to turn in the rebound.
Hundreds of West Ham fans who had began to leave the London Stadium performed a U-turn, and saw the home side force extra time. Axel Disasi turned in Adama Traore’s cross, with the goal standing despite the defender’s high foot.
Extra time continued the drama. Taty Castellanos capitalised on a misjudgement from Lucas Perri to turn home a third West Ham goal inside the opening seconds, though the Argentine was adjudged offside in the build-up.
The Hammers had a second extra-time goal ruled out by the flag. Bowen’s strike from distance came off the woodwork again, with Pablo Felipe steering in the rebound. Again, the linesman denied the hosts.
There was another twist late on when West Ham were forced into a change. Alphonse Areola went down with an issue, leading to a first-team debut for goalkeeper Finlay Herrick. The 20-year-old, on loan at Boreham Wood to start the season, was greeted with a fine ovation. He saved Joel Piroe’s spot-kick to start the shootout, but misses from Bowen and Pablo condemned West Ham to defeat. It’s Leeds who march on after an unforgettable quarter-final tie.
When will the FA Cup semi-final ties be played?
The FA Cup semi-finals on the weekend of Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April at Wembley.
