Pedro’s extra-time winner puts Chelsea in semi-finals

[media-credit name=”© Action Plus” align=”alignnone” width=”1100″][/media-credit]

Leicester 1 Chelsea 2

Pedro’s brave extra-time header earned Chelsea a gutsy extra-time FA Cup quarter-final victory.

Alvaro Morata’s breakaway goal put Chelsea ahead just before the interval, but Leicester deservedly levelled through Jamie Vardy after a goalmouth scramble.

The Foxes seemed the more likely winners in the 90 minutes at a bitterly cold King Power Stadium, although Morata was denied by Kasper Schmeichel’s sprawling save.

But it was Antonio Conte’s side who looked stronger in extra time and Pedro took advantage of Schmeichel’s rash decision to come for N’Golo Kante’s floated cross to nod the ball in to an empty net.

It set up a semi-final against Southampton at Wembley. Manchester United will face Tottenham in the other semi.

Kante could have added a third in the second period, but his fierce strike was blocked.

Marc Albrighton, Wes Morgan and Wilfred Ndidi had all gone close for the hosts in the first half, while Chelsea had several promising situations on the counter-attack, with Morata twice having shots on goal.

But he had more success with his third opportunity.

Marcos Alonso won possession on the edge of his own box and found Willian who burst forward and slid in Morata, and the Spaniard ran through and dinked the ball over Schmeichel.

Tiemoue Bakayoko, who replaced Cesc Fabregas in the side, struggled throughout and was replaced by Fabregas at half-time.

The change brought more assurance but Leicester still created the better opportunities.

Riyad Mahrez fluffed a long-range chance after a poor Willy Caballero clearance and Vardy made a total mess of a free header from 10 yards.

Vardy made amends to forced extra time when he fired the ball in on the rebound after Caballero had saved Vicente Iborra’s initial shot.

But substitute Pedro’s header in the 104th minute earned a 13th Chelsea win in 16 games between the sides.