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Pedro’s extra-time header saw Chelsea advance to the FA Cup semi-finals at the expense of Leicester.<\/p>\nPedro’s extra-time header saw Chelsea advance to the FA Cup semi-finals at the expense of Leicester.<\/p>\n
Alvaro Morata scored for the first time since Boxing Day to give Chelsea a half-time lead, but Jamie Vardy equalised 14 minutes from time to force the additional periods at the King Power Stadium.<\/p>\n
And Pedro headed in as the Blues ended a five-match losing streak away from home to reach the last four, where they were drawn to face Southampton. Manchester United will meet Tottenham in the other semi-final, with the ties to be played on the weekend of April 21-22.<\/p>\n
Antonio Conte’s Chelsea succeeded Leicester as Premier League champions last term and also reached the FA Cup final, losing to Arsenal.<\/p>\n
The competition represents the Blues’ final trophy chance of an at-times tumultuous season after their midweek Champions League exit at Barcelona.<\/p>\n
The omens appear good. They had beaten Leicester in all five prior FA Cup meetings and the last three times – in 1997, 2000 and 2012 – they went on to lift the trophy.<\/p>\n
Morata was one of three changes for Chelsea, starting for just the second time since the league draw with Leicester on January 13.<\/p>\n
Tiemoue Bakayoko was another brought in. The midfielder struggled, regularly relinquishing possession.<\/p>\n
N’Golo Kante was there to mop up – and do so much more. Kante seemed spurned on by a smattering of early boos from Leicester supporters with short memories, as he reminded them of his role in their 2015-16 title triumph.<\/p>\n
Marc Albrighton fired wide after two minutes and Antonio Rudiger cleared as Wes Morgan threatened at the far post as the hosts went close again.<\/p>\n
Willy Caballero – continuing in the cup in place of Thibaut Courtois, who, Conte said, had a minor hamstring problem – saved as Wilfred Ndidi shot from 25 yards.<\/p>\n
Next Kasper Schmeichel denied Morata at the other end. The striker’s shot was straight at the goalkeeper.<\/p>\n
Harry Maguire ran forwards and tried to feed Kalechi Iheanacho, who allowed Andreas Christensen to retrieve the ball uncontested.<\/p>\n
Maguire soon found himself defending as Morata rounded him in the right side of the area before hitting the outside of the post from an acute angle.<\/p>\n
Chelsea struck on the counter-attack after Marcos Alonso tackled Riyad Mahrez on the edge of the Blues box and Rudiger found Willian.<\/p>\n
The Brazilian surged forwards before freeing Morata, who finished with a confidence of which he has been so shorn of late. The strike ended a run of 13 appearances without a goal.<\/p>\n
Bakayoko’s poor performance, which included a booking, saw him replaced at half-time by Cesc Fabregas.<\/p>\n
A Caballero calamity almost presented Leicester with an equaliser, but Mahrez fired well off target after the goalkeeper’s poor clearance.<\/p>\n
Next Vardy found plenty of space eight yards out, but sent a header from Ndidi’s lofted pass well over.<\/p>\n
Eden Hazard fired over and Schmeichel diverted a Victor Moses cross away from Morata before Leicester levelled.<\/p>\n
Mahrez squeezed in a cross from the right and Chelsea failed to deal with it. Vicente Iborra had two efforts, the second saved by Caballero as far as Vardy, who prodded in.<\/p>\n
Vardy was denied by Caballero and Morata by Schmeichel as the match went to extra time.<\/p>\n
Chelsea made the breakthrough when Kante crossed and Pedro, on for Willian, rose between Ben Chilwell and Albrighton to head in over Schmeichel.<\/p>\n
The visitors defended desperately at times as Leicester pushed for an equaliser to force penalties, but Chelsea held on.<\/p>\n