In a thrilling FA Cup quarter-final clash that had everything – early dominance, shocking collapses, VAR controversies, and late heroics – Chelsea narrowly avoided humiliation against Championship leaders Leicester City. The 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge, sealed by substitutes Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke in stoppage time, booked Chelsea’s trip to Wembley while exposing familiar weaknesses that continue to plague Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
A Rollercoaster FA Cup Classic
The match marked the first FA Cup meeting between these sides since Leicester’s famous 2021 final triumph, and it delivered comparable drama. Chelsea appeared cruising at halftime with goals from Marc Cucurella (13′) and Cole Palmer (45+1′), but Raheem Sterling’s penalty miss and subsequent one-on-one failure kept Leicester alive – a decision that nearly proved catastrophic.
Leicester’s second-half resurgence began comically with Axel Disasi’s 51st-minute own goal from an attempted backpass, before Stephy Mavididi’s sublime curling effort (62′) completed the comeback. The Foxes’ momentum shifted dramatically when Callum Doyle’s 71st-minute foul on Nicolas Jackson – initially ruled a penalty – was downgraded to a free-kick but upgraded to a red card after VAR intervention.
Pochettino’s Substitutes Save the Day
With sections of the Stamford Bridge crowd turning on Sterling and Pochettino, the Argentine’s late changes proved inspired. Chukwuemeka’s clinical finish (90+2′) from Palmer’s ingenious backheel broke Leicester’s resistance before Madueke’s sensational solo effort (90+8′) – cutting inside and curling into the top corner – secured Chelsea‘s semifinal berth in spectacular fashion.
Tactical Breakdown: Chelsea’s Jekyll & Hyde Performance
First Half Dominance
- Chelsea‘s high press disrupted Leicester’s build-up, forcing 12 turnovers in attacking areas
- Nicolas Jackson’s movement created both first-half goals, first assisting Cucurella then drawing defenders for Palmer
- Sterling’s wastefulness (missed penalty + 1v1) kept Leicester within touching distance
Second Half Collapse
- Leicester’s halftime adjustments saw them dominate midfield (62% possession between 45-70 minutes)
- Disasi’s error sparked Leicester’s belief, with Mavididi’s equalizer coming from isolating Malo Gusto
- Chelsea’s defensive fragility resurfaced, conceding multiple big chances despite Leicester’s numerical disadvantage
Post-Match Reactions
Mauricio Pochettino (Chelsea manager):
“This team deserves credit for reaching two semifinals amidst our challenging season. The emotional impact of conceding affected us, but our quality eventually shone through. These players are building something special.”
Enzo Maresca (Leicester manager):
“Even at 2-0 down, I was proud of our performance. We maintained our identity against Premier League opposition. The red card changed everything – at 11v11, we were controlling the game.”
Six6s Expert Analysis
Former Premier League defender turned Six6s pundit Michael Ridgewell noted:
“Chelsea‘s game management remains concerning. They dominate but lack the killer instinct to put games to bed. Pochettino needs to address these concentration lapses before facing Manchester City.”
Looking Ahead: FA Cup Semifinal Draw
Chelsea’s reward is a Wembley showdown with defending champions Manchester City on April 20-21 weekend – a rematch of last season’s semifinal where City won 4-0. For Leicester, focus returns to their Championship promotion push, starting at Bristol City on March 29.
Key Takeaways:
- Chelsea’s attack thrives (4 goals) but defensive issues persist
- Palmer’s creativity (1 goal, 1 assist) continues to drive Chelsea’s season
- Leicester proved they can compete with Premier League elite despite defeat
This thrilling cup tie had everything Six6s readers crave – drama, quality, and late twists. As Chelsea advance, questions remain whether they can fix their inconsistencies in time to challenge Manchester City’s domestic dominance. One thing’s certain – the FA Cup semifinals promise unmissable drama.
