In stoppage time, Chelsea found the net twice to narrowly evade a significant threat from Leicester City and advance to the FA Cup semi-final.
Substitutes Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke secured victory for the Blues in the closing moments of a thrilling second half, during which home fans appeared poised to turn on manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Despite holding a comfortable 2-0 lead, the hosts’ advantage was threatened when Axel Disasi’s own goal from 35 yards out injected new life into the match in the 51st minute.
Eleven minutes later, Stephy Mavididi delivered a stunning equalizer, prompting unrest among the Stamford Bridge faithful, who voiced their discontent with loud boos and chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing.”
However, a turning point came when Leicester defender Callum Doyle was shown a red card with 17 minutes remaining. His foul on Nicolas Jackson initially resulted in a yellow card and a penalty for Chelsea, but the video assistant referee intervened, determining the foul occurred outside the box and upgrading the punishment to a red card.
From there, Chelsea relentlessly pressed forward, with Chukwuemeka converting after a clever flick from Cole Palmer in the 92nd minute.
Madueke sealed the victory with a long-range strike, preserving Chelsea’s aspirations of finishing the season on a positive note by capturing the FA Cup for the first time since 2018.
Meanwhile, Leicester’s focus shifts back to the Championship, where their lead has narrowed to just one point as they aim to secure promotion back to the Premier League.
Another remarkable cup tie
The intensity of this second half mirrored Coventry’s dramatic late victory over Wolves on Saturday.
Despite Chelsea also squandering a penalty, taken by Raheem Sterling in the first half, they appeared to be comfortably heading for the semifinals until Disasi’s unfortunate error.
Under minimal pressure near the halfway line, Disasi attempted to play the ball back to Robert Sanchez, positioned on the edge of the box. However, his pass sailed over the goalkeeper’s head, unsettling Chelsea and emboldening the Leicester supporters. Patson Daka came close to connecting with Abdul Fatawu’s cross before Mavididi’s equalizer.
The turning point arrived with the red card, as a brilliant turn from Jackson put him through on goal. Sterling’s subsequent free-kick, just outside the box, sailed over, prompting loud jeers from the crowd. Sterling had also missed a one-on-one opportunity in the first half, and Pochettino’s decision to substitute Mykhailo Mudryk intensified the tense atmosphere, with reactions ranging from ironic cheers to boos and applause when Sterling was eventually replaced.
Pochettino deserves credit for the impact of his substitutions, as Chukwuemeka remained composed where others had faltered, and Madueke displayed skill and finesse to secure the win.
With Chelsea languishing in 11th place in the Premier League and having suffered a disappointing defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, Pochettino couldn’t afford a loss against lower-league opposition. Fortunately, his team narrowly avoided such an outcome.
Leicester impress in defeat
Leicester will rue the red card for they looked the more likely winner at 2-2.
Doyle clipped Jackson from behind as he closed in on goal. As the foul was deemed outside the box, the 20-year-old Manchester City loanee no longer had the double jeopardy law of penalty and a red card to avoid being dismissed.
Still, Leicester showed why they have looked so strong for much of this season. They built play well and had chances of their own with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall excellent in midfield.
They have only won one of their past five in the league and their lead at the top of the Championship has been cut from 12 points to one.
On this evidence, Enzo Maresca’s side should still have enough to return to the top flight at the first attempt.