Leeds United boss Daniel Farke, speaking to BBC Sport: “We never do it the easy way. We could have had it easier if we were more composed but it’s the FA Cup quarter-final away tie and we expect the other team to give everything until the end. This is what happened. I’m pretty proud we were able to calm our nerves down after setbacks in the game.
"It was not an easy game for us in many aspects but to be able to celebrate with out fantastic supporters will do lots for our confidence. It's a big night for everyone connected with Leeds United."
On how his players kept their nerve: “I have good boys and good character, we work on our mentality and character day in, day out. I always trust my boys. It’s always up to the players to deliver on the pitch and they did fantastically well to settle after this nervy period. We are not perfect, but we always play with desire and a great mentality and a great togetherness. By doing this we have this achievement today to be in the semi-final for the first time since the 1980s.”
On drawing Chelsea in semi-final: “We will be the underdog, that’s for sure. It’s a big name and a side full of top players. For that we are the underdog but we have written history. Nobody expected us to go though to the semi-final. And of course we are greedy to go to the next step. My focus now is on the Premier League. We are on such a good path and want to make sure we can celebrate there.”
On how this win will help league momentum: “In terms of points it doesn’t help at all but each win is good for confidence, to know we can deliver under pressure and deal with setbacks. There was criticism with scoring goals in the last games so it was good we put this to bed. It’s good for confidence and belief and spirit.”
On if Leeds can go all the way in the FA Cup: “I said [in the past] it’s not realistic. We want to achieve unrealistic goals and we are on the right path to do this. Step by step we want to celebrate a few more points in the Premier League. If we have a chance to play a second time at Wembley in the FA Cup this season we want to grab the chance with both hands.”
Did you know?
- Leeds United have won two penalty shootouts within a single season in all competitions (also v Birmingham in February) for only the second time in their history, after 2016-17. The Whites had never won an FA Cup shootout prior to winning two in 2025-26.
- Leeds have progressed from an FA Cup tie against a Premier League opponent as a top-flight side themselves for the first time since beating Arsenal in the 1996-97 fourth round.
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin was Leeds' eighth different goalscorer in this season's FA Cup, their most in a single campaign (excl. own goals) since 1966-67 (also 8).
