West Ham players devastated after FA Cup exit – Nuno

There was a sombre mood inside the London Stadium dressing room on Sunday evening as West Ham United saw their FA Cup ambitions unravel in agonising fashion against Leeds United.

Manager Nuno Espírito Santo did not hide his disappointment after a dramatic quarter-final tie that slipped away on penalties, despite a late surge that had reignited hope among the home faithful.

West Ham appeared destined for elimination before defender Axel Disasi forced extra time with a stoppage-time equaliser, capping a relentless second-half push.

The hosts had grown into the contest after the break, creating a series of chances and striking the woodwork as Leeds struggled to contain the pressure.

Yet, for all their urgency and attacking intent, the decisive moment ultimately arrived from the penalty spot, where their earlier composure deserted them.

Reflecting on the contest, Nuno emphasised the emotional weight of the occasion and the collective frustration felt by players and supporters alike.

“It was a very emotional game from the beginning till the end,” he said. “For the boys, it’s sad, it’s sad, it’s sad for us, especially for our fans, the way they saw the second half, us reacting, chasing the game, creating the best chances, hitting balls in the post.”

The Portuguese coach believed his side had done enough in open play to avoid the lottery of penalties, pointing to their dominance after the interval.

“I think we did enough to avoid the penalty shootout, but today was not to be,” he added.

Despite the disappointment, Nuno sought to highlight the character shown by his players, insisting their response under pressure reflected a squad unwilling to surrender.

Attention now quickly turns back to league duties, with recovery a priority after 120 gruelling minutes.

The manager also underlined the importance of maintaining the strong home atmosphere, urging supporters to replicate their backing in the decisive fixtures ahead.