Leeds Reach FA Cup Semi-Finals for First Time in 39 Years, Face Chelsea

Pascal Struijk stepped to the spot inside the London Stadium with Leeds United's first FA Cup semi-final in 39 years riding on his boots. He scored, and 9,000 travelling supporters erupted as Daniel Farke's side booked a Wembley showdown with Chelsea.

The path to the last four had been tortuous. Ao Tanaka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin put Leeds 2-0 up in their quarter-final against West Ham United, only for the hosts to equalise in stoppage time and force extra time, during which West Ham also had two goals disallowed. When the shootout came, goalkeeper Lucas Perri saved from Jarrod Bowen and Pablo before Struijk drove home the decisive penalty.

"I can't say I practise [penalties] too much but I had experience last season," Struijk said afterwards. "We showed great composure at 2-2 to win on penalties."

Leeds' last appearance at the FA Cup semi-final stage had come on 12 April 1987, a 3-2 extra-time defeat to Coventry City at Hillsborough. Chelsea, who had thrashed Port Vale 7-0 in their quarter-final, now stand between Leeds and a return to the final.

The other semi-final ties Manchester City against Southampton, who produced the shock of the round by beating Premier League leaders Arsenal 2-1 at St Mary's. Ross Stewart opened the scoring for the Championship side before Viktor Gyökeres equalised for Mikel Arteta's men. Substitute Shea Charles settled the tie with five minutes remaining, firing into the bottom corner to send Southampton through. The club wore a commemorative yellow kit for the occasion, marking the 50th anniversary of their 1976 FA Cup triumph, making them the only non-Premier League side left in the competition and into their first FA Cup semi-final since 2021.

City, who swept past Liverpool 4-0 in their own quarter-final, will appear at Wembley for a record eighth successive season under Pep Guardiola. It will be their 23rd Wembley appearance under the manager and their second this season, following their Carabao Cup final victory. City have won the FA Cup seven times in total.

Ally McCoist made the draw at the London Stadium on 5 April, immediately after the West Ham quarter-final concluded. The semi-finals take place on 25 and 26 April, with the final set for 16 May in the 145th edition of the Emirates FA Cup.