{"id":5728,"date":"2026-04-05T20:59:58","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T20:59:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=5728"},"modified":"2026-04-05T20:59:58","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T20:59:58","slug":"leeds-boss-daniel-farke-gives-honest-reaction-to-facing-chelsea-in-fa-cup-semi-finals-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=5728","title":{"rendered":"Leeds boss Daniel Farke gives honest reaction to facing Chelsea in FA Cup semi-finals | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Daniel Farke\u2019s Leeds will do battle with Chelsea for a place in this year\u2019s FA Cup final (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Daniel Farke says Leeds are \u2018for sure\u2019 the \u2018underdogs\u2019 in their FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea, but his side will be \u2018greedy\u2019 for victory when they take to the field at Wembley later this month.<\/p>\n

Leeds secured their spot in the last four of the cup for the first time in 39 years thanks to a dramatic penalty shootout win over West Ham at the London Stadium.<\/p>\n

It was a pulsating contest in the capital, with Farke\u2019s men seemingly cruising after Calvert-Lewin had doubled the visitors\u2019 lead from the spot following Ao Tanaka\u2019s opener.<\/p>\n

But there was an almighty momentum shift as Mateus Fernandes reduced the deficit in the third minute of stoppage time after scores of Hammers supporters had already left the stadium in frustration.<\/p>\n

Axel Disasi equalised just moments later to put West Ham firmly in the ascendancy heading into extra-time, only for Leeds to prevail on penalties after the two teams could not be separated.<\/p>\n

Lucas Perri was the hero for Leeds, making two big saves in a nerve-shredding shootout, to help send his team just two wins away from the famous trophy.<\/p>\n

A day earlier, Chelsea ensured they advanced through with an emphatic 7-0 thrashing of League One outfit Port Vale at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n

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In this year\u2019s other semi-final, Manchester City will lock horns with Southampton, who stunned Premier League leaders Arsenal to seal their spot at Wembley.<\/p>\n

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Leeds looked to be cruising after Calvert-Lewin doubled their lead from the spot (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Perri made two big saves in a nerve-shredding shootout at the London Stadium (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018We will be the underdog, that\u2019s for sure,\u2019 Farke told BBC Sport when asked for his reaction to the draw shortly after Leeds\u2019 dramatic victory over West Ham.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s a big name and a side full of top players. For that we are the underdog but we have written history.<\/p>\n

\u2018Nobody expected us to go though to the semi-final. And of course we are greedy to go to the next step. <\/p>\n

\u2018My focus now is on the Premier League. We are on such a good path and want to make sure we can celebrate there.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Chelsea thumped Port Vale to reach the last four (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Speaking to TNT Sports, Calvert-Lewin said he and the rest of Leeds\u2019 squad would be ready and prepared for a \u2018difficult\u2019 test against Chelsea under the Wembley arch.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s always going to be a difficult match against Chelsea,\u2019 the Leeds and England striker said.<\/p>\n

\u2018They\u2019re a good side, but it\u2019s the FA Cup, we\u2019re going to Wembley. Excited. <\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019ve never had the opportunity to play at Wembley for at club level before, so for me it was a big chance today. <\/p>\n

\u2018When it went to 2-2, I thought maybe it\u2019s not meant to be, but thankfully, we stuck in there and got the win.\u2019<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\tWhen will the FA Cup semi-finals and final be played?\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
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This year\u2019s final will be held at Wembley on May 16 (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

The two semi-final ties will take place on Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26 at Wembley.<\/p>\n

The two winning teams will return to the stadium for this year\u2019s final on May 16.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Rookie West Ham goalkeeper Herrick was forced to come on for the shootout after an injury to Areola (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Asked what Leeds manager had Farke told the squad before extra-time, Calvert-Lewin explained: \u2018I think they started overloading out wide and it was the basics of football, defending crosses and stopping crosses, which we didn\u2019t do very well. <\/p>\n

\u2018And you\u2019ve got to be prepared for them to come forward and get themselves back in the game, and I think we just let ourselves down with that. <\/p>\n

\u2018They had momentum and we managed to hold out and win on penalties.<\/p>\n

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Leeds ended their 39-year wait for a place in the FA Cup semi-finals (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018I had a good feeling, particularly before I came on, that there was going to be chances to make an impact. And when you\u2019re on the pitch and they\u2019ve got the ball and I\u2019m up front in position, all I\u2019m thinking about is I hope they don\u2019t score. <\/p>\n

\u2018I wasn\u2019t really thinking about the neutral. I was focused on scoring and stopping them from scoring.\u2019<\/p>\n

On his spot-kick to make it 2-0 against the Irons, Calvert-Lewin said: \u2018Just basics, I did what I always do. <\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s no secret that I missed my last one against [Crystal] Palace away, so it was a big moment for me to make sure I put it away properly. And I\u2019ve been practicing in training just drilling it. <\/p>\n

\u2018When you miss one you want to go through your processes again and I have a process and I knew where I was going this time and put it away.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Who will win this year’s FA Cup?<\/h3>\n