Leeds end 39-year FA Cup semi-final wait with dramatic penalty win at West Ham
Leeds looked to have the match sewn up. Ao Tanaka rifled them ahead in the 26th minute and Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted a 75th-minute penalty after referee Craig Pawson consulted the pitchside monitor and ruled that Max Kilman had fouled Brenden Aaronson. At 2-0 up heading into added time, a trip to Wembley felt certain.
West Ham had other ideas. Mateus Fernandes pounced on the rebound after Jarrod Bowen's shot crashed back off the post, and seconds later Axel Disasi headed in from a teasing Traore cross to send the London Stadium into delirium. Two goals in stoppage time dragged the tie into extra time.
West Ham denied, Leeds hold firm
The extra 30 minutes were frantic. West Ham had two goals ruled out as both sides threw everything forward. When the whistle finally blew, it was down to penalties.
Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri saved from Bowen and Pablo, and Pascal Struijk buried the decisive kick to seal a 4-2 shootout win. Players and fans poured onto each other in scenes that spoke to what this meant. Leeds had not been in an FA Cup semi-final since losing to Coventry City at Hillsborough in April 1987, when David Bennett's extra-time goal ended their run.
Semi-final draw pairs Chelsea with Leeds
The semi-final draw, made by Ally McCoist at the London Stadium shortly after full time, threw up two intriguing ties. Chelsea will face Leeds on one side of the bracket, while Manchester City take on Southampton on the other. Both semi-finals will be played at Wembley on the weekend of April 25 and 26.
Chelsea hammered Port Vale 7-0 in their quarter-final on Saturday, with Cole Palmer captaining the side. Southampton pulled off the shock of the round by beating Premier League leaders Arsenal 2-1. Manchester City dispatched Liverpool 4-0 thanks to an Erling Haaland hat-trick.
For Leeds, back in the top flight after winning promotion last season, a Wembley semi-final caps a strong first year back in the Premier League. The last time they reached this stage, Margaret Thatcher was in Downing Street and the FA Cup final was still played at the old Wembley. Thirty-nine years is a long time to wait, but the manner of Sunday's win suggests this squad has the stomach for what comes next.
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