Perri's penalty heroics help Leeds beat West Ham to reach FA Cup semis

## Summary
Advertisement Sport Perri's penalty heroics help Leeds beat West Ham to reach FA Cup semis Soccer Football - FA Cup - Quarter Final - West Ham United v Leeds United - London Stadium, London, Britain - April 5, 2026 Leeds United's Lucas Perri celebrates after the match REUTERS/Tony O Brien Soccer Football - FA Cup - Quarter Final - West Ham United v Leeds United - London Stadium, London, Britain - April 5, 2026 Leeds United's Lukas Nmecha in action with West Ham United's Maximilian Kilman Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra 06 Apr 2026 02:53AM (Updated: 06 Apr 2026 03:58AM) Bookmark Bookmark Share WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Set CNA as your preferred source on Google Add CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results. Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FAST LONDON, April 5 : Leeds United keeper Lucas Perri was their shootout hero as they edged hosts West Ham United 4-2 on penalties on Sunday to reach the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1987 after surrendering a commanding 2-0 lead in a dramatic finale. Then West Ham's Max Kilman brought down Brenden Aaronson with a sliding challenge in the box and the VAR asked the referee to check the pitchside screen, resulting in a penalty for Leeds which Dominic Calvert-Lewin confidently put away in the 75th minute. WEST HAM FIGHT BACK West Ham's remarkable rescue act began in the 93rd minute when Mateus Fernandes pounced on Bowen's shot that came off the post to find the unguarded net, prompting the home fans leaving the stadium to return to their seats.

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Perri's penalty heroics help Leeds beat West Ham to reach FA Cup semis
Soccer Football - FA Cup - Quarter Final - West Ham United v Leeds United - London Stadium, London, Britain - April 5, 2026 Leeds United's Lucas Perri celebrates after the match REUTERS/Tony O Brien
Soccer Football - FA Cup - Quarter Final - West Ham United v Leeds United - London Stadium, London, Britain - April 5, 2026 Leeds United's Lukas Nmecha in action with West Ham United's Maximilian Kilman Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
06 Apr 2026 02:53AM
(Updated: 06 Apr 2026 03:58AM)
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LONDON, April 5 : Leeds United keeper Lucas Perri was their shootout hero as they edged hosts West Ham United 4-2 on penalties on Sunday to reach the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1987 after surrendering a commanding 2-0 lead in a dramatic finale.
West Ham scored twice within four minutes in second-half stoppage time to wipe out Leeds' comfortable advantage before the contest went to penalties after the match finished 2-2 after extra time.
West Ham's 20-year-old debutant Finlay Herrick, who came off the bench in the final moments to replace the injured Alphonse Areola, initially gave his side hope by saving the opening spot-kick from Joel Piroe.
But the hosts were unable to capitalise as Perri denied Jarrod Bowen and Pablo, before Pascal Struijk scored the winning penalty to send Leeds into the last four where they will play Chelsea.
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Leeds broke through in the 26th minute, as Japan international Ao Tanaka launched a pass to James Justin on the left, then sprinted into the box to receive Noah Okafor's cross and fooled two defenders with a clever twist, before slotting a left-footed shot into the net.
West Ham pushed for an equaliser early in the second half and almost got it after the hour mark, with Taty Castellanos meeting Adama Traore's cross with a brilliant diving header, but the ball hit the woodwork.
Then West Ham's Max Kilman brought down Brenden Aaronson with a sliding challenge in the box and the VAR asked the referee to check the pitchside screen, resulting in a penalty for Leeds which Dominic Calvert-Lewin confidently put away in the 75th minute.
WEST HAM FIGHT BACK
West Ham's remarkable rescue act began in the 93rd minute when Mateus Fernandes pounced on Bowen's shot that came off the post to find the unguarded net, prompting the home fans leaving the stadium to return to their seats.
The equaliser arrived four minutes later as Axel Disasi stretched his boot high into the air to meet Adama Traore's cross and guide the ball home as the home fans inside the London Stadium erupted.
West Ham were in control going into extra time and found the net twice early on, but both efforts were ruled out for offside.
Just before extra time ended, West Ham's Areola appeared to pull a muscle and could not continue, with Herrick coming on to make his first-team debut as the game headed to penalties.
In the shootout, Herrick dived to his right to deny Piroe, but West Ham's celebrations were halted swiftly as Perri kept out Bowen's shot to keep the teams level.
Perri denied Pablo at 3-2 to give the visitors the advantage, before Struijk scored the decisive effort for Leeds, who have won the FA Cup once in 1972.
Manchester City will face Southampton in the other semi-final.
Source: Reuters
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- West Ham scored twice within four minutes in second-half stoppage time to wipe out Leeds' comfortable advantage before the contest went to penalties after the match finished 2-2 after extra time.
- Perri denied Pablo at 3-2 to give the visitors the advantage, before Struijk scored the decisive effort for Leeds, who have won the FA Cup once in 1972.

### Areas for Consideration
- CNA Games Guess Word Crack the word, one row at a time Buzzword Create words using the given letters Mini Sudoku Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser Mini Crossword Small grid, big challenge Word Search Spot as many words as you can Show More Show Less Leeds broke through in the 26th minute, as Japan international Ao Tanaka launched a pass to James Justin on the left, then sprinted into the box to receive Noah Okafor's cross and fooled two defenders with a clever twist, before slotting a left-footed shot into the net.
- Then West Ham's Max Kilman brought down Brenden Aaronson with a sliding challenge in the box and the VAR asked the referee to check the pitchside screen, resulting in a penalty for Leeds which Dominic Calvert-Lewin confidently put away in the 75th minute.

### Implications
- Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FAST LONDON, April 5 : Leeds United keeper Lucas Perri was their shootout hero as they edged hosts West Ham United 4-2 on penalties on Sunday to reach the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1987 after surrendering a commanding 2-0 lead in a dramatic finale.
- But the hosts were unable to capitalise as Perri denied Jarrod Bowen and Pablo, before Pascal Struijk scored the winning penalty to send Leeds into the last four where they will play Chelsea.
- Just before extra time ended, West Ham's Areola appeared to pull a muscle and could not continue, with Herrick coming on to make his first-team debut as the game headed to penalties.
- Manchester City will face Southampton in the other semi-final.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers west, ham, leeds topics. Notable strengths include discussion of west. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 804.