Noah Okafor stellar, Wilfried Gnonto almost to blame – Leeds United player ratings vs West Ham…

Noah Okafor shines, Wilfried Gnonto nearly at fault – Leeds United player ratings against West Ham

Pascal Struijk propels Leeds United into the FA Cup semi-finals following an exhilarating match against West Ham United.

Noah Okafor was instrumental as Leeds United dramatically progressed to the FA Cup semi-finals after defeating West Ham United in a penalty shootout this Sunday.

Daniel Farke opted for a relatively strong lineup at the London Stadium, which might have surprised some, given that the Whites are focused on Premier League survival.

Following the paths of Manchester City, Chelsea, and Southampton, Leeds United has also made it to the FA Cup semi-finals. After a thrilling match against West Ham United (2-2), which went into extra time due to goals in the 93rd and 96th minutes, Leeds displayed greater composure from the penalty spot. Pascal Struijk scored the decisive penalty.

Just under thirty minutes into the game, Leeds took the lead at the London Stadium. Noah Okafor created space for Ao Tanaka, who skillfully evaded his defender and sent the ball past goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, hitting the crossbar: 0-1.

With fifteen minutes remaining, the match appeared to be settled when the visitors extended their lead to 0-2. Dominic Calvert-Lewin successfully converted a penalty, and it seemed Leeds had secured their place in the semi-finals, especially with the score still at 0-2 in the 92nd minute.

However, in the 93rd minute, the match unexpectedly reignited. Jarrod Bowen’s powerful shot struck the post, but he was relieved to see Matheus Fernandes score from the rebound.

The fans, some of whom were already outside the stadium, suddenly felt a renewed sense of hope, and just three minutes after the goal that brought them back into contention, the equalizer arrived. Adama Traoré expertly played the ball into the box, and Axel Disasi finished with a sliding shot: 2-2.

In the extra time that followed, West Ham looked set to strike quickly, but Taty Castellanos’s goal was ruled out for offside. West Ham goalkeeper Areola had to be substituted for debutant Finley Herrick towards the end of extra time due to injury.

In the penalty shoot-out, Herrick immediately saved Leeds’ first penalty, taken by Joël Piroe. But the next penalty, taken by Bowen, was also missed. The following five penalties were all converted, after which Pablo missed for West Ham. Struijk then scored the winner.

Leeds player ratings vs West Ham

Lucas Perri – 7

Jaka Bijol – 6

Pascal Struijk – 5

Joe Rodon – 5 (off for Bornauw 52′)

Jayden Bogle – 6 (off for Piroe 107′)

James Justin – 6

Ethan Ampadu – 7

Ao Tanaka – 8 (off for Gruev 69′)

Anton Stach – 5 (off for Aaronson 38′)

Noah Okafor – 9 (off for Gnonto 69′)

Lukas Nmecha – 6 (off for Calvert-Lewin 69′)

Substitutes –

Sebastiaan Bornauw – 5

Brenden Aaronson – 7

Ilia Gruev – 5

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 7

Wilfried Gnonto – 4

Joel Piroe – 5