Substitutes Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke scored stoppage-time goals to give Chelsea a late 4-2 home win against Championship side Leicester City on Sunday, securing a place in the FA Cup semifinals.
The encounter had everything a classic cup tie should have, including end-to-end action, a missed penalty, a red card, a botched own goal, and some sublime goals.
Chelsea appeared to be in complete control at halftime thanks to goals from Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer, while Raheem Sterling had a poor penalty saved by Jakub Stolarczyk’s legs.
However, Leicester scored in the 51st minute thanks to a terrible blunder by Chelsea’s France defender Axel Disasi, whose ball back from distance flew straight into his own goal.
Ten minutes later, Stephy Malvididi scored a superb solo goal, dribbling and sidestepping Malo Gusto before curling the ball into the top corner to bring Leicester level.
In the 71st minute, Leicester’s Callum Doyle pinched Nicolas Jackson’s heel as the striker raced towards goal.
Referee Andy Madley signalled a penalty and a yellow card, but following a VAR review, he determined that the foul occurred just outside the penalty area and altered the yellow to red because Jackson was clear for goal.
Chelsea tormented Leicester, scoring 26 shots to the Championship side’s five, but they also squandered several opportunities and made numerous mistakes.
Chelsea coach Mauricio Pochettino, who has faced criticism for several of his team’s league performances this season, claimed the game was tougher than it needed to be.
“Because if we score in the first half all the chances we create, it is finished in 45 minutes,” he said.
He added that fans who have booed Chelsea off the pitch in some recent games should trust him.
“Fans are entitled to show their emotion. For us, we try to emphasise to our fans not to criticise. They want the best for our team and players. But we are in a project. We need support and to really believe. We are trying to build something.”
He said he would support Sterling who was booed off when substituted after missing a couple of big chances as well as the penalty.
“The feelings weren’t good for him but I am going to support him. He has an unbelievable CV. Playing for big teams, an experienced player.”
But it was Pochettino’s late substitutes who turned the match round.
With eight minutes added on, Chukwuemeka turned Cole’s expert back flick into the net and Madueke looped home a brilliant shot from distance to make it four just before the final whistle.
Chelsea, who lost the League Cup final to Liverpool last month, will be at Wembley again next month for their sixth FA Cup semi-final in eight years.
They will meet either Coventry City, Manchester City or the winners of Sunday’s late quarter-final tie between Manchester United and Liverpool.
Leicester, who have led the Championship for several months, return to their pursuit of promotion to the Premier League.
Manager Enzo Maresca said their main target was the league. “We don’t like to lose games but the effort and performance was very good. We scored twice but then the red card completely changed the dynamic.”
Chelsea join Coventry City who stunned Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City who beat Newcastle United in the last four of this season’s FA Cup.
