Daniel Farke promised that Leeds fans will take over London after their side secured an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea thanks to a breathless win against West Ham on penalties.
Leeds appeared to be cruising to an easy victory at the London ÂStadium, only for West Ham to force extra time by fighting back from 2-0 down with stoppage-time goals from Mateus Fernandes and Axel Disasi.
The teams were separated only after Lucas Perriâs saves from ÂJarrod Bowen and Pablo Felipe earned Farkeâs side a 4-2 penalty shootout win and sent them through to a first semi-final since 1987.
âI feel pretty humble in this moment,â the Leeds manager said as he reflected on celebrating in front of the 9,000 travelling fans who made the journey down to London on Sunday afternoon. âYou can see how much it means to them. The last semi-final was in the 80s and this club has gone through difficult decades.
âThe last years were sometimes not that easy. We wanted to be back in the top flight, we are, and we are on a good path hopefully to earn our right to stay there. But also to be back on this big stage of a semi-final, more than 30,000 [fans] will try to overtake the capital.â
Although Leeds have taken four points off Chelsea this season, Farke insisted his side will not be Âfavourites to set up a final against either ÂManchester City or Southampton.
âWe are just a promoted side,â the manager said. âChelsea is a top team with top players and we need an extraorÂdinary day and need an outstanding performance.â
Nuno EspĂrito Santo switched his focus to Premier League survival after a âsad endingâ to West Hamâs cup run. He must lift his players before they host Wolves on Friday.
âIf we had won we would recover faster,â Nuno said. âTonight will be tough. But I tell the players letâs be ready for the fight.â
Leeds appeared to be cruising to an easy victory at the London ÂStadium, only for West Ham to force extra time by fighting back from 2-0 down with stoppage-time goals from Mateus Fernandes and Axel Disasi.
The teams were separated only after Lucas Perriâs saves from ÂJarrod Bowen and Pablo Felipe earned Farkeâs side a 4-2 penalty shootout win and sent them through to a first semi-final since 1987.
âI feel pretty humble in this moment,â the Leeds manager said as he reflected on celebrating in front of the 9,000 travelling fans who made the journey down to London on Sunday afternoon. âYou can see how much it means to them. The last semi-final was in the 80s and this club has gone through difficult decades.
âThe last years were sometimes not that easy. We wanted to be back in the top flight, we are, and we are on a good path hopefully to earn our right to stay there. But also to be back on this big stage of a semi-final, more than 30,000 [fans] will try to overtake the capital.â
Although Leeds have taken four points off Chelsea this season, Farke insisted his side will not be Âfavourites to set up a final against either ÂManchester City or Southampton.
âWe are just a promoted side,â the manager said. âChelsea is a top team with top players and we need an extraorÂdinary day and need an outstanding performance.â
Nuno EspĂrito Santo switched his focus to Premier League survival after a âsad endingâ to West Hamâs cup run. He must lift his players before they host Wolves on Friday.
âIf we had won we would recover faster,â Nuno said. âTonight will be tough. But I tell the players letâs be ready for the fight.â
