Leeds reached the FA Cup semi-finals with a brutal and chaotic penalty shoot-out win against West Ham after a 2-2 draw in normal times.
Leeds took a 2-0 lead home with goals from Ao Tanaka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin in stoppage time, but West Ham sensationally sent the traditional FA Cup clash into extra time with two goals from Matheus Fernandes and Axel DiSasi in the extra 11 minutes.
With a penalty shootout looming, West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Arreola was injured and his replacement goalkeeper, 20-year-old Finlay Herrick, was thrust into the spotlight on his debut for the club.
However, it was opposite number Lucas Perry who was the big player in Leeds’ shoot-out, making saves from Jarrod Bowen and Pablo to send Leeds to Wembley. Leeds have reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 39 years, where they will face Chelsea.
Lucas Perry saves Jarrod Bowen penalty
After a mentally and physically draining game, attention will once again turn to the Premier League’s relegation battle, with West Ham facing Wolves on Friday night and Leeds facing Manchester United on Monday night, both of which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Tanaka’s stunning finish under the crossbar put the visitors ahead of their Premier League relegation rivals.
With the game in the balance after the break, West Ham kept up the pressure before Pablo hit the post, but Leeds doubled their advantage with 15 minutes left, with some help from VAR.
Max Kilman’s challenge on Brendan Aaronson, who was without the ball, was missed by referee Craig Pawson, but was spotted by Stockley Park and Calvert-Lewin, who started on the bench, scored from the spot.
Leeds felt their job was done, but despite the early exit of thousands of West Ham fans as the clock struck 90 minutes, goals from Fernandes and DiSasi earned the Hammers a 2-2 draw and forced extra time, delivering the traditional FA Cup salvo.
To add to the drama, Disasi’s high-booted goal survived a VAR call, allowing the London Stadium to celebrate twice.
Tati Castellanos’ goal was then ruled out by VAR for offside in extra time, and Jarrod Bowen also hit the post.
Unable to separate the teams, Herrick was inserted into his shootout debut when Arreola went down with an injury.
Joel Pillow’s first spot-kick was saved by Herrick, but Leeds keeper Perry blocked shots from Bowen and Pablo, and Leeds won 4-2 on penalties.
Finlay Herrick celebrates after saving Joel Pillow’s penalty
