Chelsea substitutes Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke scored goals in added time to earn a thrilling 4-2 home win over second-tier Leicester City on Sunday and a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.
The match had everything needed for a classic cup tie, including end-to-end action, a missed penalty, a red card, a howling own goal and some sumptuous goals.
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Chelsea seemed to be in complete control at half-time after goals from Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmeralthough Raheem Sterling also had a somewhat weak penalty saved by Jakub StolarczykThe legs.
However, a horrible mistake from Chelsea Axel Disasi He gifted Leicester a goal in the 51st minute when his long-range pass flew straight into his own goal.
Ten minutes later, Stephy Malvididi scored an impressive individual goal, dribbling and dodging. Bad Taste before sending the ball into the top corner to draw Leicester level.
In the 71st minute, Leicester Callum Doyle chopped up Nicholas Jackson's heel as the striker ran towards the goal.
Referee Andy Madley awarded a penalty and a yellow card, but after a VAR check he ruled that the foul had occurred just outside the penalty area and changed the yellow to red.
Chelsea laid siege to the Leicester box, taking a total of 26 shots to the Championship side's five, but they also wasted many chances and were guilty of many misplaced passes.
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Mauricio Pochettino, who has faced criticism for some of his team's performances in the league this season, said the match had been more difficult than necessary.
“Because if we score all the opportunities we created in the first half, it will be over in 45 minutes,” he said.
He added that fans who have booed Chelsea off the field in some recent matches should trust him.
“The fans have the right to show their emotions. We try to insist with our fans not to criticize. They want the best for our team and our players. But we are in a project. We need support and true belief. We try to build something.”
He said he would support Sterling, who was booed when he was substituted after missing a couple of big chances as well as the penalty.
“The feelings were not good for him, but I am going to support him. He has an incredible resume. He plays in big teams and is an experienced player.”
But it was Pochettino's last substitutes who turned the game around.
With eight minutes added, Chukwuemeka converted Cole's expert backstroke into the net and Madueke scored a brilliant shot from distance to make it four just before the final whistle.
Chelsea, who lost the League Cup final against Liverpool last month, will be back at Wembley next month for their sixth FA Cup semi-final in eight years.
They will meet Coventry City, city of manchester or the winners of Sunday's final quarterfinal match between manchester united and Liverpool.
Leicester, which has been leading the Championship for several months, is once again seeking promotion to the Premier League.
Coach Enzo Maresca said his main goal was the league. “We don't like losing games, but the effort and performance were very good. We scored twice, but then the red card completely changed the dynamic.”
