Last weekend was a very disappointing one for Leeds fans on their trip to Wembley. Their FA Cup run came to an end when they lost to Chelsea in the semi-final.
Getting to the last four of the competition has been a healthy surprise for the fanbase. Daniel Farke has not been one to prioritize cup competitions since taking over at Elland Road, but this season was different. The team managed to overcome many obstacles, including two penalty shootouts, to book their place at Wembley.
However, the game did not go as planned; Chelsea exploited Farke’s high press as Enzo Fernandes scored in the first half. That goal was enough to decide the result as the blues held on throughout the second period.
Leeds insider slams Chelsea for cheating at Wembley
At half-time, Farke made two changes to bring his side back into the game. Leeds started the opening minutes with some intensity and were on the ascendency. Then Chelsea, feeling the pressure, got a break in play as Robert Sanchez went down with an injury. Then some players went to the touchline for a team talk with Calum McFarlane.
Sanchez was fine after being treated, which angered Leeds fans. Some journalists and pundits condemned the antics from the London club. Graham Smyth has added his voice, saying the break in play was the only way they could deal with the pressure early in the second half.
“Robert Sanchez goes to ground under clear instruction to do so, and trained medical professionals run on and administer medical assistance to a player I’m not so sure required it… It’s a compliment to Leeds, I suppose, that just like against Man City, they had them on the ropes, and they felt the only way they could deal with it was to bend the rules. It is cheating, anytime you pretend to have an injury is cheating.”
READ MORE: Ally McCoist condemns Chelsea’s actions against Leeds live on talkSPORT
Break in play ruined the game
There is no doubt that if Leeds had continued how they started the second half, they would have got something out of the game. Anton Stach tested Robert Sanchez early with a stunning strike minutes after coming on as a substitute. Chelsea could not deal with the pressure, and turned the ball over almost anytime they had it in their half. When the game stopped, Leeds never got the chance to get up to pace and the match continued to be played at a low intensity, with the Blues keeping the ball. Daniel Farke and the Leeds fans have every right to be furious with what happened at Wembley.
