Ryan

Come on Leeds

FA Cup semi-final preview – #CFC v #LUFC This is a first FA Cup semi-final since 1987 for Leeds United when they lost 3-2 to Coventry City at Hillsborough. Leeds haven't reached the FA Cup Final since 1973 and haven't won since beating Arsenal 1-0 in 1972. Wembley hasn't been a happy hunting ground for Leeds either, with the Whites not even scoring a goal at the venue since beating Liverpool 4-3 in the 1992 Charity Shield. For Chelsea, this is their first semi-final since 2024 when they lost 1-0 to Manchester City. Chelsea have won 8 FA Cups and have reached the Final 5 times in the last 10 seasons, winning only once in those games – a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in 2018. TEAM NEWS Chelsea OUT: Reece James (hamstring), Estevao (hamstring), Jamie Gittens (hamstring), Levi Colwill (knee), Filip Jörgensen (groin) DOUBT: Cole Palmer (hamstring), Joao Pedro (thigh) Predicted lineup: Sanchez, Acheampong, Chalobah, Hato, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Palmer, Pedro, Neto, Delap Leeds United OUT: Ilia Gruev (knee) DOUBT: Anton Stach (ankle), Jayden Bogle (ankle), Sebastiaan Bornauw (knock) Predicted lineup: Perri, Justin, Gudmundsson, Struijk, Bijol, Rodon, Ampadu, Tanaka, Aaronson, Okafor, Calvert-Lewin ROUTE TO THE SEMI-FINAL For Chelsea, the Cup has offered some respite from their poor league form especially in recent weeks. Their only real scare in the Cup this season has been against Wrexham. Leeds are the first top-flight team they will face in the competition. Chelsea: QF Chelsea 7 Port Vale 0, R5 Wrexham 2 Chelsea 4 AET, R4 Hull 0 Chelsea 4, R3 Charlton 1 Chelsea 5 Leeds have mixed a couple of professional displays with two nail-biting penalty shoot-out victories. Leeds' remarkable number of away draws has continued this campaign, while Chelsea pose by far the toughest test in their Cup-run this year. Leeds: QF West Ham 2 Leeds 2 (Leeds win 4-2 on penalties), R5 Leeds 3 Norwich 0, R4 Birmingham 1 Leeds 1 (Leeds win 4-2 on penalties), R3 Derby 1 Leeds 3 THE RIVALRY Over a few decades between the 1950s and 70s, Leeds and Chelsea developed a heated rivalry that spilled over into an eternal hatred during the sixth-most watched broadcast in UK television history – the 1970 FA Cup Final replay. This was a clash of cultures across the North-South divide, where the truth was veiled slightly by stereotypes. Leeds were the workmanlike, unyielding northerners that played cards together in clouds of smoke with their boss, Don Revie. Chelsea were the 'hip' playboys who frequented West End's hotspots at the peak of the swinging 60s 'Cool Britannia' movement and evoked hedonism, modernity and youth. There had been plenty of battles between the sides over the years, but the 1970 replay was an all-out war, described as one of the most notorious and brutal clashes in English football history. One yellow card was given on the day, but re-refereed by David Elleray in 1997 saw him give 6 red cards and 20 bookings. This year, The Athletic asked Graham Scott to re-referee the match – he gave 10 reds and 25 yellows. In the first clash, Leeds and Chelsea turned Wembley into the field of Agincourt. In the replay, the two sides found in the other, a new sense of enmity. From that game on, Leeds' fans hated Chelsea almost as much as Manchester United; while Chelsea's fanbase hated Leeds almost as much as Arsenal. FA CUP RECORD Leeds lost the 1970 FA Cup Final replay and in fact have never beaten Chelsea in either the FA Cup (P9 D3 L6) or the League Cup (P4 D1 L3). Sunday's semi-final will be the 2nd meeting since the 1970 FA Cup Final, with the last meeting coming on 28th February 2024 while Leeds were chasing promotion back to the Premier League. That game finished Chelsea 3 Leeds 2 and was the match Archie Gray and Mateo Joseph caught the eye of various top-tier scouts. Chelsea have won the FA Cup 8 times – with 5 of those victories coming since the Roman Ambramovich takeover. Leeds have won once in 1972 and reached 3 other finals during the Don Revie era. HOW MONEY HAS DEEPENED THE RIVALRY Leeds and Chelsea's complicated past cannot be extricated from football finance. The Yorkshire club were the last winners of the old First Division – the name of England's top-tier before the Premier League ushered in a new era of money into the game. In 1919, Leeds City were found to have made secret payments to players during the First World War – it was something that many clubs were doing – but to make an example of Leeds, the FA DELETED the club – wiped Leeds City from existence – such an extreme punishment is unimaginable today. In March 2026, an investigation into financial irregularities at Chelsea under Roman Ambramovich found that the London club had made secret payments to players, unregistered events and offshore entities; and had a river of off-the-book money that had been hidden from footballing authorities for more than a decade. Chelsea's crimes were arguably far more egregious than Leeds City's, but instead of deleting the club, they were fined £10.75m and given a suspended transfer ban. While other clubs received points deductions, Chelsea received a fine for the hidden reporting that involved the acquisition of Eden Hazard, Willian and Samuel Eto'o. While Chelsea was injected with billions from Russia; Leeds had overspent chasing former Chairman Peter Risdale's "dream". Without Russian wealth to back it up, Risdale gambled Leeds' future like a chancer at a casino; and lost it all. Under Ambramovich, it never mattered how much Chelsea lost; but under current owner Todd Boehly, Chelsea are approaching a Risdale-type strategy. One half a billion pound loan Chelsea have taken out from Ares Management is accruing so much interest it is projected it will cost the club £1.4 billion by 2033. On the slide down the football pyramid, Leeds weren't simply fined, they were deducted points which extended their wilderness years; while Chelsea bought trophy after trophy – you could understand how some Leeds fans might still feel bitter about the disparity in circumstances. You could also understand how a legion of new Chelsea fans that came with their success - and who don't know the history - would think of Leeds as 'just' a lower league club. The financial gulf of the last few decades left Leeds and Chelsea literally leagues apart and matches between the rivals during the Whites 16 years out of the top flight, were rare. Leeds' last excursion into the Premier League, instigated by Marcelo Bielsa, re-ignited the rivalry. And under Jesse Marsch, for the briefest of moments, after a 3-0 win against Chelsea early into the ultimately ill-fated 2022/23 season, it seemed that Leeds were back for good. But Leeds' owner at the time Andrea Radrizzani was not able to back neither Marcelo Bielsa nor Jesse Marsch in a way that would ensure Leeds would have a sustainable future in England's top flight. A lack of money and competent transfers were key factors. In the 3 seasons from 2022/23 - when Leeds were last relegated - to 2024/25, Chelsea have spent £2.233 billion on “Net spend + wages”. That's £450m more than the England's next biggest spenders: Manchester City. The financial disparity between the clubs can be illustrated by the fact that following the 2022/23 season, current Leeds owners 49ers Enterprises paid Andrea Radrizzani 'just' £170m for his remaining controlling 56% stake in United. Leeds' commitment to abiding by the rules has seen them relegated and miss out on promotion, while their rivals flagrant breaching of PSR during key seasons saw them stay up or get promoted at United's expense. When Leicester, Everton and Nottingham Forest were docked points, it was too little, too late to have any material benefit to Leeds United. Meanwhile, just to stay the right side of PSR, Chelsea have not only sold their Women's team back to themselves; but are now getting the Women to pay rent for using Stamford Bridge, in order to offset the losses of the Men's team. When Leeds overspent in the late 90s and early 2000s, there was no billionaire to bail them out, and they were relegated and docked points. When PSR constrained Chelsea they have spent anyway, and used tricky accounting and hidden reporting to cover their tracks, while filling their trophy cabinet on a river Russian cash. Both Leeds and Chelsea are now owned, in part or whole, by US billionaires. But billionaires who have two extraordinarily different approaches. This is what modern football has become, for good or ill: a casino for the rich and powerful. But beyond the historical incompetence of Peter Risdale and the historical corruption of Roman Ambramovich, the fans of both clubs have kept alive what really matters: the culture and history – and that culture and history is in the colour and noise that fills the stands of the old grounds: Elland Road and Stamford Bridge. That culture will be seen in the colour and noise that will fill Wembley on Sunday. And that culture has little to do with the money men in their suits making plans in LED-lit offices, plans that the fans cannot control. So while the trappings of modern football have irrevocably altered this rivalry, by separating the two clubs, the football community has kept this rivalry alive. THE PROFESSIONALS v THE LAZY WONDERKIDS If the clashes of the past were of rival cultures, the modern day version is no less of a contrast. Leeds United are a squad of hard-working professionals in the peak years of their careers, a lot of them new to the Premier League and England; they have outrun most of their opponents this season. As an organisation, Leeds have followed the financial rules without having to exploit crazy loopholes. Under 49ers Enterprises and Daniel Farke, Leeds have recruited well and remained unified as a club from the board, to the staff, players and fans. Leeds have worked hard on every area where they can – fitness, recovery, diet, sleep – to try and get any edge over their free-spending rivals in the Premier League. Chelsea could not be more different. The London side have an owner who seems to be acting out a real-life version of Football Manager (the videogame) by buying a team of 'wonderkids' – Chelsea have spent more on teenagers than all the other big 5 clubs combined. Unfortunately for Todd Boehly and Chelsea, the wonderkids, while being individually supremely talented, haven't yet gelled as a team. Some of their squad gave former manager Liam Rosenior the unflattering nickname of 'the supply teacher' and have been accused of being spoiled brats. The difference in the work-rate of the two teams can be seen by distance ran per game in the Premier League. Leeds are 2nd, running 114.8km per game on average, only behind Manchester City and splitting the title rivals, with Arsenal in 3rd. Chelsea are 20th in that table, they run the least per game in the Premier League at 106.1km. THE MANAGERS DANIEL FARKE Career record against Chelsea: P8 W1 D2 L5 Daniel Farke has slowly started to creep out of the shadow of Marcelo Bielsa. Farke is a calm presence - the eye of the Leeds United storm. Leeds are an emotionally-charged club, with fans who have football trauma from years of mismanagement by a litany of odd owners and obscure managers, play-off heartbreak, and footballing exile. Last year, Leeds deservedly won the Championship with a club-record points tally for a season, playing in a possession-dominant 4-2-3-1. This year has pushed the Leeds manager to his limit; and almost beyond. With 6 losses in 7 and 2-0 down at the Etihad at half-time, Daniel Farke was staring at the sack but rolled the dice on a change of formation that paid off spectacularly. Back in December, Chelsea were the first to feel the full force of Leeds' new 3-4-2-1 formation and tactics in a 3-1 midweek demolition under the lights of Elland Road. Ao Tanaka's second was a particular highlight, blasting a devastating effort beyond Robert Sanchez. Gabriel Gudmundsson ran the young Estaveo off the pitch, so-much-so that the young Brazillian was yanked at half-time. The German manager still has some critics among Leeds' fans, but that section of the fanbase is thinning. Away at Bournemouth midweek he answered a few more questions with both his substitutions and tactical tweaks bringing goals. Farke has already cemented his place as one of the most successful managers Leeds have had this century, but if he were to win the FA Cup he would also eclipse David O'Leary by bringing a major trophy back to Leeds for the first time since 1992. Many said that the German couldn't manage in the Premier League, but he was never backed financially at Norwich and they have suffered without him. Farke has proven many doubters wrong this season and Leeds will hope that he can continue to do so. KEY QUOTE: "We have achieved a lot - we have united this club, brought them back to the big time, already on 40 points, remarkable runs, great away runs, a win at Old Trafford for the first time in decades, made our supporters proud - we have achieved a lot. But nothing is done yet until we are mathematically safe, until we have earned the right with this amazing club to play again in the best league in the world. And the same with the FA Cup we are not just happy with writing a bit of history in getting to the semi-final - we want to keep going and for that we don't allow ourselves to reflect too much and be too proud of ourselves. We want to stay hungry and stay greedy and keep going and we know there will be the summer to look back and enjoy the memories, but for now there is still work to do." CALUM McFARLANE Career record P2 D1 L1 40-year-old interim manager McFarlane has only taken charge of two games in men's senior football – outside of the EFL Trophy - both for Chelsea earlier this season. He negotiated a 1-1 draw against Manchester City, before being in the dugout for a 2-1 loss to Fulham with Liam Rosenior waiting in the wings. After Rosenior was sacked off the back of a win-less and scoreless run of 5 consecutive games that broke an unwanted club-record that had stood since 1912; McFarlane was appointed until the end of the season. McFarlane prefers a 4-2-3-1, this was the formation that brought Rosenior success in his first few games as Chelsea manager earlier in the campaign. As the ex-Hull boss grew in confidence, he asked more of his players: man-marking tactics, hybrid CBs, a 3-5-2 formation; and instructions that lost him the dressing room. Chelsea's interim boss McFarlane has had experience at academy level, mainly at Southampton. And by coincidence the last time he was at Wembley was for the playoff final between Leeds and Southampton, where the Saints won 1-0. KEY QUOTE: “We haven't had a clear-the-air meeting. We are getting the group focused for Sunday. We have spoken about the game plan and how we're going to approach the game both in and out of possession. It's really important that we have a real focus for the game on Sunday. You can't be thinking about anything else. What's gone on in the past doesn't need to be spoken about.” PREDICTION Whenever there is a change of manager - even a temporary one - it can have an instant impact on a group of players. But this Chelsea team will likely still be distracted by the events and form of recent weeks. So I imagine Chelsea will have a boost, but one key element is: how long will it last? If Leeds start well, score early and start to bully Chelsea as they did at Elland Road last December, will Chelsea respond? Do the Blues have the fight in them? Do they have the running in them, on that big Wembley pitch, when they have the worst running stats in the Premier League, to compete with Leeds? Or will the London club shrink from the challenge as they have done in recent weeks? For Leeds, a key element is – on the really big occasion, can they rise to the challenge? This is a much-changed Leeds side from the team that lined up against Southampton in the play-off final. But that Leeds squad shrank on the big occasion and some of the players who had stepped up during that campaign, like Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville, were shadows of themselves in the Wembley heat. This Chelsea side are looking for something from somewhere to unite them and bring them back into form. Because while Chelsea have a young squad and are in disarray as a club, they are undoubtedly talented - and might never play as poorly as they did against Brighton. Leeds have to seize their moment, play the game with the same courage as they showed at Old Trafford; and walk with the swagger of winners, embracing the spotlight. Despite Chelsea's poor run – the London side are the favourites; but Leeds have an enormous chance, a fighter's chance, and they are warriors with nothing to lose; while Chelsea are in disarray, with a lot to prove. Prediction: Chelsea 1 Leeds 2

Amount of scum fans still crying about getting slapped all over old Trafford is unreal 🤣

Who's going down then? #THFC

Fucking hell 🤣🤣

🎶 UNITED ARE BACK! 🎶

I take it all back. He’s got us an FA cup semi, and a first win at that shite hole in years. Give him the keys to the city. The goth is sound 😮‍💨

What a night

Marcelo, When you came to manage Leeds United, the false dawns and false starts had become the norm. The brief moments of joy were exceptional respites during the decade-and-a-half away from the top-tier of English football - 'the banter years'. The club had been unloved and uncared for by many managers and owners on the spiral down the football pyramid. That is why - when you brought a seemingly inexhaustible amount of competence and passion - it was a revolution. No one know what to expect before that first game of the season. And like before every first game of every new season, we all held our collective breath. So when Mateusz Klich stabbed home that shot against Stoke on that sunny day in August 2018 - the Elland Road roar that preceded was an exclamation of disbelief as much as joy. What followed was the best football any of us might ever see our team play in our lifetimes. What many of us would give to go back and live it all again. And how did you do it? Because you care. You care passionately about every small detail, every small moment - because you know that even the tinniest component of a football club, is part of the foundation of the whole. So you adjusted the position of electric sockets on the walls of Thorp Arch; a dirty boot print in the hall never happened again; and the players picked up rubbish for an hour, because their integrity and understanding of what the fans have to do pay to watch them, was as important to you, as their physical strength. You watched a season's worth of games for every one of our opponents, studying them meticulously until you knew every strength, every weakness, and what tactical changes they would make depending on the game state. You cared. You cared so much that your passion almost has its own gravity; it draws people in - and makes them care too. You turned a mid-table Championship squad into a mid-table Premier League side - no one else could have done that. But more than that - you turned #LUFC - one of the most hated teams in the UK - into what some pundits at the time called "everyone's second team" - by virtue of the most unbelievably exciting brand of football. Every press conference was a philosophical lecture. You lambasted modern football, football authorities, the press, agents and everything else that makes a mockery of the beauty of this game. But you always praised the fans, you always praised your players and you never, ever took credit. And while others jumped at the opportunity to lap up the applause for the fruits of your labour, you never puffed proud. Embarrassed, you even had to be goaded into lifting the Championship trophy. You have left every single manager that followed in your wake an impossible task. Your shadow lingers still. You will be loved forever in this city in West Yorkshire of which your face and words adorn murals 10ft tall. And we'll never forget how your lessons of hard work, love and passion and belief and hope, transformed our club. Even when the entire establishment tried to prise you off that pedestal they had so begrudgingly put you on - during the spy gate scandal - you simply dismantled the narrative with a tactical masterclass we will never the see the like of again. And you did it all in the most disarming way, while turning sport into art, and uplifting this community. You have personally changed the trajectory of my life, and those of countless others I know. Thank you does not feel enough for the appreciation and gratitude we all feel. But it will have to do. Vamos Bielsa, Vamos Leeds Carajo! We will never forget what you did for us! Gracias Marcelo!

Genuinely one of the most embarrassing things I’ve seen a pro footballer do

Ends today for anyone who wants to get involved. £2 and it only takes one ticket to win it

Gruev had enough time to pitch a tent then. Abysmal defending! @NFFC

For any Manchester City fans tuning in to Friday Night Football, this is what’s known as an atmosphere.

The Roaring Peacock podcast returns at 6:30pm tonight as we: • Review #LUFC 1 Fulham 0 • Talk transfers • and preview Everton (a) Tune in here or YouTube.

Just fuck off will ya !

@Hayley_LUFC Don’t know who I hate more Harrison or Arronson ? X

Darlow is our best keeper

Played well UNITED strike again !

Done Stach a favour and got his next pre-match edit sorted for him👍🏼 #LUFC #FraudyNiners