West Ham 2-2 Leeds United (2-4 on pens): Leeds march on to FA Cup semi-finals after chaotic penalty shoot-out win at West Ham
Match report as Leeds do it the hard way to reach the FA Cup semi-finals via a penalty shoot-out; Daniel Farke's men led 2-0 going into stoppage time but West Ham forced extra-time; Lucas Perri then saved from Jarrod Bowen and Pablo in the shoot-out to send Leeds to face Chelsea at Wembley
Sunday 5 April 2026 20:17, UK
Leeds marched to a FA Cup semi-final after a pulsating and chaotic penalty shoot-out victory over West Ham following a 2-2 draw in normal time.
Leeds looked home and hosed when 2-0 up in stoppage time, courtesy of goals from Ao Tanaka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but West Ham scored twice in the 11 added minutes through Mateus Fernandes and Axel Disasi to sensationally take a classic FA Cup encounter to extra-time.
With penalties looming, West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola then suffered an injury meaning 20-year-old replacement goalkeeper Finlay Herrick was thrust into the spotlight on his debut for the club.
But it was opposite number Lucas Perri that came up big in the shoot-out for Leeds, saving from Jarrod Bowen and Pablo to send Leeds to Wembley - the first time in 39 years they have made it to a FA Cup semi-final, where they will face Chelsea.
In what was an emotionally and physically draining encounter, attention turns back to the Premier League relegation fight next with West Ham playing on Friday night against Wolves, while Leeds take on Manchester United on Monday night, both games are live on Sky Sports.
Tanaka got the away team rolling over their Premier League relegation rivals with a neat finish that flew in off the underside of the crossbar.
With the game in the balance after the break West Ham struck the post from Pablo following a period of pressure but Leeds doubled their advantage with 15 minutes remaining, with the help of VAR.
Max Kilman's challenge on Brendan Aaronson where he got none of the ball was missed by referee Craig Pawson but spotted by Stockley Park and Calvert-Lewin, who had started on the bench, scored from the spot.
Leeds felt the job was done but despite thousands of West Ham fans leaving early as the clock ticked round to 90 minutes, the Hammers staged a classic FA Cup salvo as goals from Fernandes and Disasi forced a 2-2 draw and extra-time.
Just to add to the drama, Disasi's strike, turned home by a high boot, survived a VAR call that allowed the London Stadium to celebrate the goal twice.
Taty Castellanos then had a goal ruled out by VAR in extra-time for offside while Jarrod Bowen also struck a post.
The two teams couldn't be separated and Herrick was thrown on for his debut in the shoot-out after Areola went down injured at the death.
Herrick saved the first spot-kick from Joel Piroe, but Leeds 'keeper Perri denied Bowen and Pablo to send Leeds through 4-2 on penalties.
'A big moment for Leeds'
Daniel Farke speaking to TNT Sport:
"We always do it the tough way, never the easy way. A quarter-final away game against a Premier League side is never an easy ride. We could have made our lives easier. We showed great mentality and I am proud of the boys today with how we kept the nerves and won the game in the end. Pretty important day for everyone connected with Leeds United.
"To keep the nerves and win the penalty shoot-out shows great mentality and character. A chapter of Leeds United history, we were in the semi-finals really a while ago.
"It will be a big night for us. It's a great step for this club and a great reward for everyone connected with this club. We are still buzzing but already looking forward to making sure we stay on a good path in the Premier League."
Bowen: I'm gutted, it has to hurt
West Ham's Jarrod Bowen speaking to TNT Sports:
"I'm gutted. It hurts a lot after being 2-0 down. I missed and I can only apologise to everyone involved for that. You never want to miss penalties but I have today and I have to face that. It doesn't define who I am but I have to stand tall from that. We did a lot of good things in the game but it wasn't to be.
"It has to hurt. We are hurt as a team. We have to dust ourselves down and get back into training tomorrow for the Wolves game on Friday because we know what we have to do."
