Cup run can help Leeds in relegation fight - Farke

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has rejected the idea that his club’s first FA Cup semi-final appearance in 39 years will derail their Premier League survival bid, insisting the dramatic penalty-shoot-out victory over West Ham should fuel belief rather than divert focus.

The Yorkshire side, who edged past the Hammers on spot-kicks after a pulsating quarter-final, sit only three points above the relegation zone with seven league fixtures remaining. Their next assignment is Monday’s trip to Manchester United, followed by a relegation six-pointer at home to bottom-placed Wolves on 18 April and a clash with mid-table Bournemouth four days later. Only after that flurry will attention turn to Wembley and a 26 April meeting with Chelsea.

Farke has imposed a media blackout on cup talk until the Bournemouth match is out of the way, but he believes the emotional lift of progressing at the London Stadium can translate into precious league points. “We take lots of confidence from it,” he said. “I can guarantee no-one is distracted right now about the FA Cup semi-finals. I will make sure after this press conference no-one speaks about it. There is no excuse for not being focused on the next three games.”

The German pointed to the players’ body language as proof of the cup’s galvanising effect. “It’s a different competition. It doesn’t help us in terms of points for the Premier League, but there’s no replacement for wins and this winning feeling.”

Since Christmas Leeds have recorded only two victories in 14 league outings, so the shoot-out success offers a timely injection of momentum. Farke stressed he will not gamble on survival by resting key men ahead of Wembley, even though the financial stakes heavily favour top-flight retention: a 17th-place finish is worth more than £10 million in merit payments, compared with £2.1 million for lifting the FA Cup.

“We want to grab this with both hands and we will never use this as an excuse,” Farke added, underlining his intent to compete on both fronts despite the precedent set by Wigan in 2013, who won the cup and were relegated in the same season.

Leeds now have 11 days to balance recovery, preparation and belief as they attempt to turn cup euphoria into survival points starting at Old Trafford.