- West Ham would lose on penalties to Leeds United in the FA Cup
- Two late goals could not save the Hammers
- Nuno’s team had two goals disallowed
In a game of highs and lows, West Ham United fell just short of a trip to Wembley, losing on penalties to Leeds United. Nuno Espirito’s men put on a spirited performance, but two mistakes cost them as the two teams went all the way.
Despite the best efforts of young substitute keeper, Finley Herrick, he could not stop West Ham from falling short, losing the spot-kick lottery as Leeds United sent themselves to Wembley for a tie with Chelsea.
In a thrilling game it was Leeds who took the lead as Soungoutou Magassa failed to keep hold of his man and Ao Tanaka smashed home.
The away side doubled their lead in the middle of Hammers pressure. Max Kilman missed the ball and took out Brendan Aaronson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin did the rest.
West Ham are never dead and they proved it in this one. Mateus Fernandes scoring deep into added time before Axel Disasi did the same to send this one into the extra-time it deserved.
From start to finish, the Easter Sunday cup tie did not disappoint but ultimately West Ham were denied a place in the last four for the first time in 20 years.
First-half
Leeds began the game on the front foot. Okafor curling his shoot to the bottom corner with Alphonse Areola on hand to deny.
The Hammers rallied. Jarrod Bowen sliding in a low cross for Valentin Castellanos who could not turn home.
The West Ham captain followed up by firing a shot at the Lucas Perri, who parried once again.
The away side remained in the ascendency in the opening exchanges. Anton Stach tested the defensive back-line before James Justin dragged just wide of the target.
The deadlock would be broken minutes later, Okafor beat Magassa before slotting in Tanaka who smashed a shot through Disasi’s leg onto the underside of the bad past Areola.
Leeds pushed for a second and even VAR intervened. Stach saw a shot saved by Areola but Kilman was late to the scene, with his tackle adjudged to be legal.
The last chance of the half fell to Castellanos, but his half-volley was sliced over the bar.
Second-half
Nuno made sure to change things at the break, sending on Tomas Soucek and Pablo Felipe.
West Ham were improving. On the hour mark, Pablo and Castellanos combined, releasing Bowen who returned the favour, but the Argentinian forward could not see his effort on target.
Second later Adama Traore found Castellanos at the back post, but he could not see his header home, bouncing off the far post.
Leeds 1-0 advantage remained in tact and minutes later they would double their advantage.
Kilman took out Aaronson and after VAR review, the penalty was given. Calvert-Lewin made no mistake from the spot and it was 2-0.
Some West Ham fans left as it went to added time but this was where the game came to life.
Bowen struck the post with a curled effort for for Fernandes to tap home the rebound. Life for Nuno’s Hammers.
West Ham kept pushing. Delirium struck as Disasi met Traore’s cross. Level and onto added time with the Irons tails alight.
Extra-time
West ham stayed in control. The host’s thought they had the lead as Castellanos pounced on Perri’s wayward cross to slot home only to be ruled offside by VAR.
The Hammers didn’t let it stop them with Castellanos’s shot hitting Perri in the face as they pushed for a winner.
Pablo then converted Bowen’s slot through but was adjudged to be offside.
Areola injured himself jumping for a Leeds cross and could not continue. On came 20-year-old Herrick, on the biggest stage of his life.
As penalties began the youngster stepped up, saving Joel Piroe’s penalty.
The keeper would come close with almost every spot kick, but misses from Pablo and Bowen would see Pascal Struijk score the desicive kick.
A valiant performance from a depleted West Ham side see’s them exit the FA Cup. Onto Friday.
Teams
est Ham United: Areola (Herrick 120), Walker-Peters, Disasi, Kilman, Diouf (Scarles 106), Potts (Souček HT), Magassa (Pablo HT), Fernandes, Bowen, Adama (Mayers 120+5), Taty (Kanté 106)
Subs not used: Golambeckis, Lamadrid, Ajala
Goals: Fernandes 90+3, Disasi 90+6
Booked: Kilman, Walker-Peters
Leeds United: Perri, Bogle (Piroe 106), Struijk, Rodon (Bornauw 52), Bijol, Justin, Tanaka (Gruev 69), Ampadu, Stach (Aaronson 38), Okafor (Gnonto 69), Nmecha (Calvert-Lewin 69)
Subs not used: Darlow (GK), Byram, Longstaff
Goals: Tanaka 46, Calvert-Lewin 75 (pen)
Booked: Nmecha, Ampadu, Bogle
Referee: Craig Pawson
Attendance: 62,260
