Leicester City 0-1 Chelsea – Chelsea’s half time substitute Ross Barkley comes on to net a second half winner as Chelsea advance to the semi-finals of the FA Cup in a game rather low on quality at the King Power Stadium.
First half:
Chelsea began the first half in a rather sloppy manner constantly giving the ball away to the hosts Leicester City, however, the Foxes luckily for Chelsea never managed to capitalize on this as they lacked in front of goal all game especially when the first opportunity they had when Harvey Barnes took a heavy touch in the penalty area which ran through to Willy Caballero, a better touch and the Foxes could have taken the lead in the opening seconds.
Leicester City continued to have opportunities when Youri Tielemans shot was saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero, and it was then Jonny Evans who missed a great chance from a header when the Northern Ireland defender put it wide from close range, as the Foxes continued to be wasteful for the remainder of the first half to the frustration of manager Brendan Rodgers with nothing paying off in front of goal for the Foxes despite the sloppiness of Chelsea, you could almost see Leicester being punished for missing their opportunities in the first half.
Despite Leicester City having the better of the majority of the first half it was the visitors Chelsea who conjured up the best chance of the half when Mason Mount found Christian Pulisic inside the box however, the Americans shot was very well saved by Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to keep out what would have been a Chelsea goal against the run of play.
Leicester City then went on to have another couple of other opportunities to score firstly when Harvey Barnes went through on goal but unfortunately the Foxes winger couldn’t compose himself enough as he blasted the ball over with his left foot much to the relief of Chelsea once again. The next big chance for the hosts fell to main man and top scorer Jamie Vardy but unfortunately for him and Leicester City, he couldn’t finish as the Premier League top scorer shot wide with his left foot in a chance Vardy never looked comfortable with as the game was goalless going in to the break, a much needed one for Chelsea.
Second half:
Frank Lampard made a triple substitution at half time to try and change things for a Chelsea team who struggled in the first half but despite that it was Leicester City who came closest at the start of the second half when Chelsea transfer target Ben Chilwell’s cross ended up hitting the top of the cross bar as the left back gave Chelsea an unintentional scare.
The deadlock was eventually broken after 63 minutes when midfield substitute Ross Barkley who made a run in to the box to get on the end of Willian’s cross and steer the ball beyond Kasper Schmeichel and despite being second best for near enough the entire game so far it was the visitors who were in front at the King Power Stadium as one Lampard’s half time substitutes worked a treat for now by providing the opening goal of this FA Cup tie.
Leicester City had a couple of attempts to respond to the Chelsea goal, firstly when Ben Chilwell’s long range shot was comfortably held by Willy Caballero, and then the best chance Leicester City had all game fell to Turkish centre back Caglar Soyuncu who had a free header at the back post to put in to an empty net after Willy Caballero misjudged a cross, but fortunately for Chelsea the header ended up coming off the head of Cesar Azpilicueta which then sent the ball over the crossbar, a missed chance that left Soyuncu and no doubt Foxes fans watching at home very frustrated with a huge miss.
Chelsea had a great opportunity to make it two and put the game beyond Leicester City when Wilfed Ndidi was caught in possession by Ross Barkley and Chelsea then had a four against two counter attack but unfortunately for Chelsea, Ross Barkley’s pass was behind Ruben Loftus-Cheek who then had to play the ball back to Barkley who’s shot was uniquely but very well saved by Kasper Schmeichel to keep Leicester in the tie, a huge missed opportunity for Chelsea.
Leicester City tried to push for a late equaliser but ultimately failed in the end as the visitors Chelsea held out for a 0-1 win at the King Power Stadium, not a great performance Frank Lampard’s men but a win that he will certainly take, as for Leicester they were made to pay for missed chances in the end as they exited the FA Cup in the Quarter Final and now have to turn their attention to securing a Champions League spot for next season.
Full time
Man of the match:
Ross Barkley – It is rare that a substitute gets given the man of the match award, but on this occasion there is simply no doubt that Ross Barkley’s introduction completely sparked life in to Chelsea and the English midfielder also turned out to be the match winner at the King Power Stadium in an inspiring display from the former Everton man.
Fascinating facts:
The last two occasions Chelsea have beaten Leicester City in an FA Cup Quarter Final, the Blues have gone on to lift the trophy back in both 2012 and 2018.
Leicester City have never beaten Chelsea in an FA Cup tie in 9 attempts which includes replays.
This is the first time Frank Lampard has beaten Brendan Rodgers as a manager with both Premier League meetings this season ending in a draw.
Ross Barkley has scored four goals this season with three of them coming in the FA Cup.
Ross Barkley’s goal was the first that Leicester City have conceded all season in the FA Cup.
Chelsea were the first Premier League opposition that Leicester City have faced this season in the FA Cup.
Talking points:
Frank Lampard’s half time substitutes work a treat for Chelsea – Frank Lampard clearly unhappy with Chelsea’s sloppy first half performance took off Reece James, Billy Gilmour, and Mason Mount all young talented Chelsea players but on this day this turned out to be a stroke of genius from Frank Lampard as the players he bought on who were Ross Barkley, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek all made a huge impact to settle Chelsea down in the game and also one of his changes in bringing on Ross Barkley won Chelsea the match.
Leicester City pay for failing to capitalize on a below par Chelsea – Leicester City had more than enough chances to win the game an advance to the FA Cup semi-finals, but unfortunately the Foxes failed to take advantage of many missed chances which ultimately cost them the game and allowed Chelsea to win.
Jamie Vardy’s poor form continues – Jamie Vardy has only scored two goals since Christmas which both came in a substitute appearance against Aston Villa and this performance against Chelsea today just summed up his form in front of goal at the moment as Vardy once again Vardy was pretty much anonymous all game.
Finally a winner between Rodgers and Lampard in a managerial battle – Both Premier League meetings between Chelsea and Leicester City this season ended in a draw with nothing to separate the managers then on this occasion there had to be a winner and there was in Frank Lampard who takes Chelsea to a semi-final for the first time.
Sam’s match reports 