FA Cup quarter-finals: talking points from the men’s and women’s weekend ties
The Guardian · 2026-04-06 · archive
Kirby’s class helps stun Arsenal, Palmer shows leadership potential for Chelsea and teenager Shaw makes her mark for LiverpoolSecuring their Premier League status for another year remains a priority for West Ham and Leeds this season, so the eight changes Nuno Espírito Santo and Daniel Farke made between them for this tie, which developed into a drama-drenched classic, was understandable to a degree. Still, in Ao Tanaka, Leeds have a gem of a fringe player, who looked eager to make something of his opportunity. The Japan midfielder has not started in the league since 14 December, but Leeds fans have...
The Story So Far
West Ham United recently contested an FA Cup quarter-final fixture against Leeds United where both sides implemented significant changes to their starting rotations. Prioritizing top-flight survival this season, the two managers made a combined eight alterations to their lineups. Despite the lack of continuity, the match emerged as a dramatic encounter that allowed fringe players to showcase their abilities. Specifically, Leeds midfielder Ao Tanaka impressed in a rare start since mid-December. While maintaining league status remains the paramount concern for the club, this knockout match provided a valuable opportunity to evaluate the squad depth during this high-intensity domestic cup competition.
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