Find out how Leeds United's players rated against West Ham in tonight's FA Cup clash
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
19:44, 05 Apr 2026Updated 19:48, 05 Apr 2026
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Leeds United goalkeeper Lucas Perri celebrates after Leeds United's Ao Tanaka scores(Image: PA)
Leeds United are going to Wembley having secured their spot in the FA Cup semi-final for the first time in 39 years - but they did it the hard way.
Sitting 2-0 up with comfort, Leeds collapsed and conceded two stoppage time goals. Extra time came and went and Lucas Perri would be the cup hero with two saved in the penalty shoot out. Ao Tanaka put the visitors ahead inside 26 minutes when he turned his man inside the box to guide the ball home in off the bar.
The lead ought to have been doubled eight minutes later when Anton Stach was played in by Noah Okafor on the break, but his effort ended in a save and a game-ending injury. Perhaps Leeds ought to have had a penalty.
The Whites eventually did get a spot kick when substitute Brenden Aaronson was brought down in the area on 71 minutes. VAR gave the spot kick, allowing Dominic Calvert-Lewin to right the wrongs of his penalty miss against Crystal Palace.
West Ham handed Leeds a nervous ending when Matheus Fernandes put into an empty net after Jarrod Bowen's shot smacked off the post. three minutes into 11 added on.
Axel Disasi sent the London Stadium into bedlam when he poked home a cross three minutes later. Leeds got lucky twice in extra time, with two goals ruled out for offside before the penalty shoot-out victory.
Here are how the players rated.
Lucas Perri - Excellent save from a deflected cross at close range early on before diving low to keep out a Jarrod Bowen shot. Was let off hugely in extra time when he was lobbed after coming miles out for West Ham's ghost third goal. Saved two spot kicks in the shoot-out. 8
Jayden Bogle - Had to be on his toes against Traore, winning some battles. Didn't do enough to stop the equalising cross. Ineffective going forward. 5
Joe Rodon - Held the line well and ensured the back-line had that vital extra body back when combatting the West Ham break. Came off through injury shortly not long into the second half. 7
Jaka Bijol - Had to tackle a ball out of play after a poor pass by Perri. Was sturdy, though more often that not, the through-ball does get past him. Struggled when attackers ran at him. 6
Pascal Strujik - One poor moment when he was beaten easily in the first half but otherwise fine until he being weak when combatting Disasi for the equaliser. Struck home the winning penalty in the shoot-out. 6
James Justin - Got up the left numerous times, producing a few pieces of dangerous play. But later left gaping gaps on the left in extra time that West Ham exploited and produced a woeful free-kick cross when in a promising area. 5
Ethan Ampadu - Tried to take the initiative when Leeds let those two late goals in. Got his foot to a number of balls and rallied the troops. 6
Ao Tanaka - Neat finish in off the bar after turning his man inside the area on 26 minutes. Looked better in his usual number eight role. 7
Anton Stach - Won the ball back with frequency. Will feel he should have scored on 34 minutes after his lung-busting run. Sustained injury afterwards and had to come off limping. 7
Noah Okafor - Really lively first half display. Always looking to take on and cross or shoot. Forced a low save inside two minutes. Provided the assist for Tanaka's goal. Less effective in the second half. 6
Lukas Nmecha - Found it tough to get into the game and was wasteful at times. Highlight was when he brought down one of Perri's huge throws expertly. 4
SUBS
Sebastiaan Bornauw (on 52' for Rodon) - Forced save from Areola via his long-range effort. Not just him, but needed more composure towards the end and in added time. 5
Ilia Gruev (on 69' for Gruev) - Steadied the midfield and looked to be seeing out the game until the late comeback. Then was pulled about and couldn't get on the ball much and actually became quite poor. 5
Brenden Aaronson (on 38' for Stach) - Game rather passed him by until his break into the box to win the penalty on 71 minutes. Bypassed him afterwards too. Scored his penalty. 6
Wilfried Gnonto (on 69' for Okafor) - Went narrowly wide with a flicked effort on goal. Looked the most like scoring after the West Ham equaliser. 6
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (on 69' for Nmecha) - Sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot to banish the demons of Selhurst Park. Aside from a tame header, he didn't do much else. 6
Joel Piroe (on 115' for Bogle) - Largely anonymous and lost the ball. Missed his penalty. 2
MANAGER: Daniel Farke - An understandable starting XI given the fitness context. Had to deal with two injuries to players who may not have come off. Made the triple substitutions at the right time on 69 minutes after sustained West Ham pressure, with Leeds then going 2-0 up. Required a huge team talk ahead of extra time. Ulitmately, he has guided Leeds to an FA Cup semi-final. 8
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