Nuno Espirito Santo would have learned quite a few things about his West Ham United squad during their topsy-turvy FA Cup defeat by Leeds; particularly Adama Traore and Finlay Herrick.
While young goalkeeper Finlay Herrick was thrown in at the deepest of ends – Alphonse Areola picked up an injury in extra-time while Mads Hermansen wasn’t even involved – Adama Traore proved the doubters wrong in a ‘superb’ display in Crysencio Summerville’s absence.
On a day when Pablo Felipe’s West Ham United career took an almighty turn for the worse, as Max Kilman became the subject of boos after the latest in a series of high-profile blunders, Herrick and Areola certainly embraced the occasion.
Pick your West Ham Man of the Match!
Ok, he only played the final five minutes, but Herrick still denied Joel Piroe from the spot. His first save for West Ham at senior level coming in an FA Cup quarter-final shoot-out.
Nuno Espirito Santo hails Finlay Herrick after West Ham United loss
Less than a month after Herrick failed to keep out any of Boreham Wood’s penalties in that National League Cup final, talk about exorcising the ghosts.
“He is a young goalkeeper with talent. He played for England [U20s] in the youth,” Nuno Espirito Santo says of the academy graduate. “We have a project to try and help him to become what we expect from a good goalkeeper that can help us.
West Ham goalkeeper Fin Herrick saves a penalty against Leeds United
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
“It is sad the way it ended because in the second half and in extra-time we created chances that could have stopped it going to penalties. It’s sad, it’s tough.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
“We saw from the fans what it meant to us to try and reach Wembley but it wasn’t to be so we have to rest in the best way we can and react for the next one.”
“That and the way we prove to ourselves that we can never give up. The game is not done until the referee says so and we have to take that into our future starting on Friday.”
Traore steps up in Crysencio Summerville’s absence
Traore assisted Axel Disasi’s 96th minute equaliser, sparking a rapturous reaction from Danny Dyer, Danni Dyer, and hundreds of fans who attempted a rather embarrassing return to the terraces.
“He did some good actions,” Nuno says of Traore, his first goal contribution as a West Ham player. “He worked well and he is getting up to speed. He didn’t have too many minutes but, today, Adama did well and we need all of them to do well.”
What did you make of Adama Traore’s performance?
Has he won you over?
West Ham United's Spanish midfielder #17 Adama Traore (C) runs through the Leeds midfield during the English FA Cup quarter final football match between West Ham United and Leeds United at the London Stadium in east London on April 5, 2026.
It remains to be seen if Summerville will face Wolves in Friday’s metaphorical six pointer between two teams stuck in the relegation zone. If he remains on the sidelines, at least Traore can be relied upon to step in.
“It will take more time to recover [from this defeat],” Nuno concludes. “The legs go when you win and recover quicker. We have the sadness and that will drag into this evening and tomorrow but we have to react.
“We have important games so we will keep fighting.”
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox