Daniel Farke assured Leeds supporters that their presence will be felt in London after the team advanced to the FA Cup semi-finals by defeating West Ham in a thrilling penalty shootout.

Leeds seemed set for a straightforward victory at the London Stadium, leading 2-0, but West Ham staged a dramatic comeback, scoring late goals from Mateus Fernandes and Axel Disasi to push the match into extra time.

The decisive moment came during the penalty shootout, where Lucas Perri made crucial saves against Jarrod Bowen and Pablo Felipe, enabling Leeds to secure a 4-2 victory and reach their first semi-final since 1987.

Reflecting on the achievement, Farke expressed his humility, especially in celebrating with the 9,000 dedicated fans who traveled to London for the match. “You can see how much it means to them. The last semi-final was in the 80s, and this club has experienced tough times,” he noted. “After a challenging period, we aimed to return to the top flight, and now we’re on a promising path to establishing our place there. Additionally, we are back on this significant stage, with over 30,000 fans expected to support us in the capital.”

Despite having taken four points from Chelsea in previous encounters this season, Farke emphasized that his team should not be considered favorites for the upcoming final against either Manchester City or Southampton. “We are merely a promoted side,” he remarked. “Chelsea is an elite team filled with exceptional players, and we will require a remarkable performance to compete.”

Meanwhile, Nuno Espírito Santo turned his attention toward Premier League survival following what he described as a “disheartening conclusion” to West Ham’s cup journey. He acknowledged the need to uplift his squad ahead of their match against Wolves on Friday. “If we had won, recovery would have come more swiftly,” he said. “Tonight will be challenging, but I encourage the players to prepare for the battle ahead.”