Chelsea substitutes Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke have scored stoppage-time goals to earn a thrilling 4-2 home victory over battling second-tier side Leicester City and book a place in a the FA Cup semi-finals.
The match had everything needed for a classic cup tie on Sunday (Monday AEDT), including end-to-end action, a missed penalty, a red card, a howler of an own goal and some sumptuous strikes.
Chelsea had looked in full control at halftime after goals from Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer, though Raheem Sterling also had a somewhat feeble penalty saved by Jakub Stolarczyk’s legs.
But a howler from Chelsea’s France defender Axel Disasi gifted Leicester a goal in the 51st minute when his pass back from distance flew straight into his own goal.
Ten minutes later, Stephy Malvididi produced a stunning individual goal, dribbling and sidestepping Malo Gusto before curling the ball into the top corner to put Leicester level.
The match turned again in the 71st when Leicester’s Callum Doyle clipped Nicolas Jackson’s heel as the striker raced towards goal.
Referee Andy Madley signalled a penalty and a yellow card, but after a VAR check he ruled the foul had happened just outside the penalty area and changed the yellow to a red, because Jackson had been clear on goal.
Chelsea besieged 10-man Leicester’s area, producing a total of 26 shots to the Championship side’s five – and it was the late substitutes who eventually broke through.
With eight minutes added on, Chukwuemka 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.