Leeds United eased past Norwich City with a convincing 3-0 victory at Elland Road in the FA Cup fifth round, reaching the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since 2003.
Sean Longstaff, back in the starting XI, opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, and Gabriel Gudmundsson added a second just before the interval to put the hosts firmly in control.
Leeds continued to dictate the game after the break, rarely allowing Norwich a foothold, and Joel Piroe wrapped things up with his first goal of the season in the second half to complete the 3-0 win.
The Whites are now just one victory away from a trip to Wembley for the FA Cup semi-finals, and Paul Robinson believes they have a real shot at going all the way in this year’s competition.
However, Daniel Farke disagrees.
Daniel Farke makes honest FA Cup admission
The Leeds manager served a one-match touchline ban today and was in the stands at Elland Road as he saw his side romp to the last eight of the FA Cup.
He insisted that FA Cup progress is important for the squad, as a few fringe players got their chance today, and it keeps the spirit inside the group high.
However, Farke conceded that winning the FA Cup is not a realistic target for Leeds, and he wants his team to focus on the upcoming games in the Premier League.
Farke said on TNT Sports: “The spirit in the group, everyone keeps going. Today, some players had the chance to shine, and it is important for us as a group.
“Apart from us, just seven other teams can win the FA Cup. It is maybe not realistic for us.
“We are on a good path, and we are looking forward to our upcoming games and important weeks for us.”
The Leeds boss is right
Back-to-back Premier League defeats have pulled Leeds United right back into the relegation scrap, leaving them only three points above the bottom three.
Given the enormous financial implications of dropping out of the Premier League, securing survival has to remain the club’s overriding priority.
While a kind draw could open the door to a deeper FA Cup run, realistically, winning the competition may be a stretch for a side still fighting to stay in the division. The squad simply cannot afford to lose focus on the battle that matters most.
The idea of lifting the FA Cup for the first time since 1972 is an exciting one, but at this stage it feels more like a distant possibility than a realistic target.
For Leeds, the sensible approach is clear – build enough distance from the relegation zone first. If they manage to secure their top-flight status with a few games to spare, then attention can shift to the cup and perhaps create a memorable moment for the fans before the season ends.
