Leeds United Edge West Ham on Penalties to Reach FA Cup Semi-Finals

Leeds United reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1987, beating West Ham United 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw at London Stadium on April 5, 2026. Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri saved two penalties in the shootout — from Jarrod Bowen and Pablo Felipe — to send Daniel Farke's side through to Wembley. The match had appeared to be heading for a comfortable Leeds victory before a stunning West Ham fightback in second-half stoppage time turned the tie on its head. Ao Tanaka scored in the 26th minute and Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted a penalty in the 75th minute to give Leeds a 2-0 lead, only for Mateus Fernandes to pull one back in the 90th minute plus three and Axel Disasi to equalize in the 90th minute plus six. Extra time produced no further goals, though West Ham had two efforts ruled out for offside, before the shootout settled the contest in Leeds' favor.

Leeds United last appeared in an FA Cup semi-final in 1987. The club won the trophy in 1972. Leeds and Chelsea have a notable FA Cup history, having met in the 1970 final, which Chelsea won after a replay. West Ham United had not reached an FA Cup semi-final since 2006, according to The Guardian.

Teenage debutant Herrick saves first penalty before Perri strikes back The shootout produced its own dramatic subplot when West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola went down injured just before the penalty kicks and was replaced by 20-year-old Finlay Herrick, making his first-team debut. Herrick had spent his only prior senior experience on loan at National League side Boreham Wood, and his introduction in such circumstances drew widespread attention. The young goalkeeper immediately justified his selection by saving the opening penalty from Joel Piroe, briefly threatening to become one of the most unlikely cup heroes in the competition's history. However, Perri responded with saves from Bowen and Pablo Felipe to swing the shootout decisively in Leeds' favor. Pascal Struijk then scored the winning penalty to complete Leeds' passage to the last four. West Ham's Herrick also saved a penalty during the shootout, but his side could not convert enough of their own attempts, missing the first and fourth kicks according to La Libre.be.

4-2 (penalties) — Leeds' winning margin in the shootout against West Ham

Stach injury adds to Leeds' worries despite historic result The victory came at a cost for Leeds, with midfielder Anton Stach forced off in the 38th minute due to injury. The German international, who had recently earned a call-up to the Germany national team under coach Julian Nagelsmann, limped off the field after being fouled during a promising attacking move, according to N-tv. Brenden Aaronson replaced Stach and was later fouled in the penalty area, leading to the spot kick that Calvert-Lewin converted for Leeds' second goal. For West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo, the defeat adds to mounting concerns about his side's Premier League survival prospects, with the club sitting four points below Leeds in the standings. The Guardian noted that West Ham were already without Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jean-Clair Todibo, and Konstantinos Mavropanos through injury, and Nuno had made six changes to his starting lineup with a league fixture against Wolves on Friday in mind. Leeds, four points above the relegation zone, will also face West Ham on the final day of the Premier League season.

Championship side Southampton completes all-surprise semi-final draw Leeds will face Chelsea at Wembley on April 25 or 26, a repeat of the 1970 FA Cup final. The other semi-final will pit Manchester City against Southampton, a Championship side that eliminated Premier League leaders Arsenal 2-1 in the quarter-finals on Saturday. Southampton's run to the semi-finals recalled their 1976 FA Cup success, according to RTE. Manchester City, seven-time winners of the competition, reached the semi-finals with a 4-0 victory over Liverpool and will be bidding for a place in the final for the fourth successive season. Chelsea, who beat League One side Port Vale 7-0 in their quarter-final, have won the FA Cup on eight occasions. Republic of Ireland international Ryan Manning will miss Southampton's semi-final after picking up a yellow card against Arsenal.

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Leeds United, West Ham United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Southampton