Credit: Imago/Breaking Media

Mark Smith

Sat 25 April 2026 13:40, UK

Karen Carney has a chequered past with Leeds United, but she is loving what she has seen from Elland Road in recent weeks.

Leeds made headlines back in 2021 after Carney suggested that the COVID pandemic help them seal promotion back to the Premier League.

The former Lioness was forced to delete her Twitter account following rigorous abuse, which was sparked by the Whites hitting back at the claims online.

That is now water under the bridge, with Daniel Farke and his squad now preparing for an historic FA Cup semi-final at Wembley against Chelsea on Sunday.

And Carney thinks it’s a huge opportunity for them.

Huge opportunity for Leeds United at Wembley

Carney believes that the “chaos’ unravelling around Stamford Bridge will only help Leeds, after a huge couple of weeks in the Premier League.

Speaking on TNT Sports ahead of the early Premier League action on Saturday, Carney was asked just how big an opportunity it is for Leeds.

“Massive,” she said.

“Back-to-back wins in the Premier League and then the draw, which was fantastic. They’re three unbeaten now, confidence is high, and they’ve made a little cushion away from relegation.

“You’re playing a team that’s in absolute chaos.

“They’re physical, they’re aggressive, and they look like an established Premier League team, so they’ve got every confidence to go into that game.”

Premier League business maybe sorted for Leeds

Of course, you’re not safe until it’s made official, but Leeds have given themselves breathing space.

Leeds’ huge 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford kickstarted it all, with that followed up by a 3-0 thrashing of Wolves.

Sean Longstaff’s 97th-minute equaliser at Bournemouth on Wednesday was huge too, taking the Whites to 40 points, nine ahead of Tottenham before their trip to Wolves.

With Burnley next up in the Premier League, three points there will likely be enough.

Hopefully, Leeds have an FA Cup final to look ahead to as well, with that Sunday meeting against Chelsea looking like a great opportunity right now.

It’s a one-off shootout between the historic rivals, and even getting this far is a massive accomplishment for the Whites, who won’t want to stop there.

If you told Farke and Leeds fans back in November that they could secure survival with relative ease, as well as a possible FA Cup final, they would have laughed.

But that reality has come true, and it’s a huge trip to Wembley ahead.