XtraTime Web Desk: A brilliant strike by super sub Ross Barkley helped Chelsea to edge past Leicester City 1-0 to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.
Frank Lampard made six changes to the side that beat Manchester City 2-1 in midweek, with Willy Caballero back in goal and 19-year-old Billy Gilmour starting in central midfield.
His managerial counterpart Brendan Rodgers fielded a strong line-up, handing Jamie Vardy a first FA Cup start in two years, but James Maddison missed out with a hip injury.
Unsurprisingly with so many changes made, the Blues looked disjointed in the early moments and Gilmour – usually such a smooth operator in the midfield – was guilty of giving away possession in dangerous areas.
Eventually Chelsea settled into possession but Leicester’s threat on the counter-attack remained as Youri Tielemans tested Caballero’s reflexes from 20 yards, but the Argentine was on hand to parry to his left. Jonny Evans then headed wide to highlight the Blues’ deficiencies at the back.
Lampard was becoming increasingly frustrated on the touchline, telling his players to “liven up”, and after the drinks break they heeded his advice. Mason Mount found the in-form Christian Pulisic and the American’s ferocious effort look destined for the net before Kasper Schmeichel tipped it over.
The changes paid dividends almost instantly, with Kovacic looking lively by pressing high, and the Croatian did set up Abraham to finish from a tight angle but the flag went up for offside.
That chance was a warning for Leicester and they didn’t take notice at their peril. Willian sent in a dangerous cross from the right and the arriving Barkley – with a Lampard-esque run – tucked away into the far corner.
After a flurry of substitutions, Leicester began to push for an equaliser but that only made the game more stretched as Chelsea wasted chances to kill the game off. And they were nearly punished for it late on when Caballero misjudged Marc Albrighton’s cross and Caglar Soyuncu headed over.
Barkley could have made sure of victory late on with Chelsea overloading on the counter but Schmeichel made a firm block. It didn’t change the result in the end as the Blues scraped over the line and into the last four.