Credit: Getty

Richie Mills

Tue 7 April 2026 20:10, UK

Daniel Farke believes that Leeds United‘s nail-biting FA Cup win over West Ham will stand them in good stead for their Premier League relegation fight.

Leeds looked to be heading to a hard-fought FA Cup quarter-final victory over West Ham on Sunday after goals in either half from Ao Tanaka and substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

But goals in second-half stoppage time from West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes and Axel Disasi sent the contest into extra time at London Stadium.

Lucas Perri made two vital saves when the game went to penalties, before Pascal Struijk scored to secure Leeds a 4-2 shootout win and a semi-final spot against Chelsea.

The match took its toll on Farke’s side, though, as Leeds picked up several injuries against Nuno Espirito Santo’s team, but he didn’t seem too concerned about the relegation fight.

Leeds overcome adversity in FA Cup win

When Leeds threw away a 2-0 lead against the Hammers, many fans would be forgiven for thinking that was game over.

Indeed, West Ham twice had the ball in the back of the net in extra time, only for Taty Castellanos and Pablo’s efforts to be ruled out for offside.

But the way that Leeds responded, dug deep, and ground out a victory appeared to please Farke no end after the full-time whistle.

He told reporters, “We still have to win our points in the Premier League, but this will give us confidence and belief and how it feels to deal with pressure – and these experiences are priceless.

“As a manager, even if you are 2-0 up, you know in a split second the whole world can change. I never doubted my players and always believe in them. They had setbacks but found a way to celebrate.”

Winning does breed confidence.

However, a defeat away at Manchester United may take them back to square one. Moreover, Leeds did lose Anton Stach to injury in the first half against West Ham, with Farke later confirming he had suffered possible ankle ligament damage.

Joe Rodon also rolled his ankle, while Noah Okafor came off with cramp.

Gabriel Gudmundsson missed the game with a minor groin problem, and Dan James has suffered a fresh injury blow after representing Wales.

Have Leeds won the battle but lost the war?

Make no mistake, losing Stach is a huge blow for Leeds. The German international has been one of their best players this season, with the big midfielder adding much-needed quality in their starting XI.

Leeds have been competitive in the division for months now, but arguably, they lack individual quality or a game-changer.

Stach has shown he can provide that with some excellent free-kick goals, particularly against Aston Villa at Villa Park in February.

Gudmundsson has arguably been Leeds’ best signing this season, with the Swede repeatedly proving his worth at left back or left wing-back.

If Stach, Gudmundsson, and Rodon are all out for the Manchester United game, and more importantly, the Wolves one, that could really hurt Leeds’ chances of staying up.

Nerves will certainly be jangling if West Ham beat Wolves on Friday and Leeds lose at Old Trafford a few days later. However, Farke has instilled a fighting spirit in this Leeds team.

After four league games in a row without scoring a goal, a double against Premier League opposition will do them the world of good. Leeds need their tails up again, and the Hammers result may just provide the spark to lift them to safety.