Leeds United’s FA Cup ride ends tamely at Wembley, Stach bright as errors prove costly | OneFootball

Leeds United’s rousing FA Cup run fizzled out at Wembley, a flat semi-final sending supporters home without a goal to savour.

After a routine Elland Road win over Norwich City, they beat Derby County in a lively tie lit by a Willy Gnonto goal. Penalties saw off Birmingham City, then an edge-of-the-seat quarter-final at West Ham United. yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk notes the semi-final never caught light.

Anton Stach returned early from injury and looked bright, injecting control and going close from range. Getting him involved again for the final few games is a major positive.

Pascal Struijk’s misplaced pass led to the Chelsea winner and he looked desolate at full-time. Jayden Bogle, fit to start and at one point burning past Marc Cucurella, too often embodied a nervous, clumsy display and struggled defensively. His caution felt harsh after he was confronted.

Brenden Aaronson, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ao Tanaka all had openings but could not beat Robert Sanchez, though Aaronson did test him. In games like this you have to take chances, and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez had the edge.

Referee Jarred Gillett swung from whistle-happy to permissive between halves, leaving players guessing. He was not the reason Leeds lost, but it hardly felt semi-final standard. A lengthy goalkeeper stoppage resembled a tactical timeout, a blight the authorities should stamp out.

Off-camera, Jermaine Beckford shared a laugh with Willy Gnonto, and Lucas Perri crossed himself in a quiet prayer. Ally McCoist saluted Leeds fans and Tony Dorigo received his England legacy cap.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk