Leeds United secured their place in the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in nearly four decades after edging past West Ham on penalties at the London Stadium.
Ao Tanaka marked his return to the starting XI with a first-half goal, once again highlighting why he deserves more opportunities in the Premier League.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin looked to have wrapped things up after the break with a well-taken penalty, but West Ham struck twice deep into stoppage time to force extra time.
In the end, Lucas Perri proved the hero in the shootout, saving two penalties to send Leeds through and secure their place in the semi-finals for the first time in 39 years.
However, the progress in the cup could bear a huge cost for Leeds in their pursuit of Premier League survival.
Leeds United are at a huge disadvantage in the Premier League run-in
The Whites have been drawn up against Chelsea in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, and the mind games have already begun for the game.
Leeds will be scheduled to take on the Blues at Wembley on 25th or 26th April, which means their game against Bournemouth in the Premier League will need to be rescheduled.
They will take on the Cherries in midweek ahead of the semi-final weekend, which is going to be a major disadvantage to Leeds compared to their other relegation rivals.
However, playing before their relegation rivals could end up being an advantage as well, despite the more hectic schedule.
West Ham and Tottenham can now exclusively focus on the Premier League, while Leeds will have one eye on the FA Cup semi-final a few weeks later.
A potential fixture congestion could put Daniel Farke in a quandary about team selections in a few big games towards the end of the season.
While Leeds are excited to reach the semi-final for the first time in 39 years, it cannot come at the cost of Premier League survival in the next couple of months.
Daniel Farke will have to balance his squad accordingly
Staying in the Premier League remains the top priority for Leeds United, but it’s only natural that fans are beginning to dream of FA Cup success.
Reaching the semi-finals for the first time in nearly 40 years has lifted the mood around the club, and there’s a growing sense that something special could be on the horizon.
Daniel Farke had played down their chances of winning the competition just a few weeks ago, but Leeds now find themselves just one step away from the final.
That leaves the manager with the delicate job of managing expectations, particularly with his key players eager for the chance to step out at Wembley.
With injuries already impacting the squad, he’ll need to strike the right balance in the weeks ahead.
Survival in the Premier League is still the priority, but it’s hard not to get swept up in the excitement of a Wembley appearance, and the possibility of reaching the FA Cup final.
