Chelsea overcame a disaster of their very own making at Stamford Bridge, restoring the two-goal lead they’d blown early within the second half to beat Leicester Metropolis 4-2 and attain their twelfth FA Cup semfinal within the final 19 seasons.
Mauricio Pochettino’s males seemed to be cruising into the final 4 on the interval, Cole Palmer changing simply earlier than the break to double a thirteenth minute lead when Marc Cucurella transformed a Nicolas Jackson cross on the again submit. The lead may need been even better on the break had Raheem Sterling not drilled a penalty into the boots of Jakub Stolarczyk, the newest irritating low in what has been a demoralizing time in west London for the one-time England worldwide. Nevertheless, the Blues haven’t stored a clear sheet since January 26 and Championship leaders Leicester solely ever seemed one move away from testing the nervy Robert Sanchez.
In the end they didn’t should do a lot themselves to halve Chelsea’s benefit, Axel Disasi booting a again move properly away from Sanchez and into his personal purpose beneath stress from Patson Daka. Earlier than lengthy, Leicester have been stage off their first shot heading in the right direction, Stephy Mavididi delivering a curling strike worthy of the person who first impressed after which coached him, CBS Sports activities’ personal Thierry Henry.
Stamford Bridge was rising mutinous, howls of frustration emanating from supporters when Pochettino withdrew the sparky Mykhailo Mudryk relatively than Sterling to make approach for Carney Chukwuemeka. That got here after Chelsea had been denied a penalty however handed a person benefit when VAR concluded that Callum Doyle had not fouled Jackson within the field as referee Andy Madley had initially believed.
With over 20-plus minutes to go, if Leicester have been to take the sport to further time the guests hunkered down deep, Chelsea ballooning a shot rely that will peak at 26. The twenty third proved to be crucial, Chukwuemeka justifying his introduction in a superb give-and-go with Palmer earlier than slotting previous Stolarczyk within the 93rd minute. A mountain of added time would nonetheless carry one other for the hosts, substitute Noni Madueke driving up from midway earlier than bending a shot in.
Chelsea shall be within the hat with Manchester Metropolis, Coventry Metropolis and the winner of Liverpool’s conflict with Manchester United for the Wembley semifinals. The Blues have competed in 5 of the final seven FA Cup finals however have gained solely as soon as, beating Manchester United in 2018. They haven’t misplaced any of the final 10 semifinals wherein they’ve competed.Â