Leeds United
Axel Disasi. Credit: Imago
Leeds United suffered a huge scare at the London Stadium on Sunday when they faced West Ham in the FA Cup. At the start of the season, the fans at Elland Road would not have predicted what happened in the last few days.
The Whites had faced lower tier clubs in their FA Cup run; and this past weekend, the Hammers were the first Premier League opposition they faced in the competition. Daniel Farke has not been one to focus on cup competitions since taking over Leeds United, he usually rotates his teams in the EFL Cup and FA Cup. Leeds were shocked when Sheffield Wednesday knocked them out of the EFL Cup early in the season. So when they started their FA Cup run, some fans were hesitant.
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Former referee criticizes incident in Leeds United game
But Daniel Farke and his men managed to make it to the semi-final after their performance on Sunday. Leeds United showed up big after a surprising end to the game. With a 2-0 lead after 75 minutes and the game looking out of reach, West Ham pulled out two goals in the space of three minutes to send the game to extra time. Lucas Perri’s heroics saved the day in the penalty shootout.
Axel Disasi’s effort was the goal that sent the game to half time, but former FIFA referee Keith Hackett thinks the goal should not have stood:
“The boot is high and in close proximity to the head of the defender.” Hackett said to the Football Insider.
“It should have resulted in a VAR review, and the referee having a second look. I would have expected the goal to be ruled out due to the action of the goalscorer endangering the safety of his opponent.”
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Decision could have cost Whites a place at Wembley
Now that Leeds have made it through to the FA Cup semi-final, it has been overlooked. But it could have been so easy for West Ham to win in extra time, and that would be because the referees missed a huge call late in the game. Leeds United have not have the best luck with referees in the past few weeks, and this is yet another decision which could have cost them. The Whites have set up a date with Chelsea at Wembley; with almost everyone ruling them out and predicting the Blues as the winners.