Leeds United secured a dramatic penalty shootout victory over West Ham United at the London Stadium to advance to the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1987. The visitors triumphed 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw that saw West Ham fight back from two goals down in stoppage time.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin had put Leeds 2-0 ahead with a penalty in the second half, prompting many home fans to leave early. However, West Ham equalised deep into added time when Jarrod Bowen hit the post and Mateus Fernandes tapped in, forcing extra time. The drama continued as West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola went off injured before penalties, handing a debut to 20-year-old Finlay Herrick, who saved Joël Piroe's spot-kick.
Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri then saved efforts from Jarrod Bowen and Pablo, setting up Pascal Struijk to score the winning penalty and send Leeds to Wembley for a semi-final against Chelsea. The victory also gave Leeds a psychological boost in their Premier League survival battle, as they sit four points above 18th-placed West Ham.
West Ham had started poorly, with midfielders Soungoutou Magassa and Freddie Potts struggling and being replaced at half-time. Manager Nuno Espírito Santo switched to a 4-4-2 and improved, but the damage was done. Defender Maximilian Kilman was fortunate not to concede a penalty earlier for a foul on Brenden Aaronson, and his performance highlighted West Ham's defensive frailties.
Leeds took the lead in the 26th minute through Ao Tanaka, whose shot deflected off Axel Disasi. Calvert-Lewin doubled the lead from the spot after Kilman fouled Aaronson. West Ham's fightback came too late for the thousands who left early, but they showed heart to force extra time before ultimately falling short in the shootout.
