Latest: Chelsea 3 Man City 1 – Blues on course for the quarter-finals

Willian and Gary Cahill scored early in the second half to put Chelsea firmly in control of the FA Cup fifth round tie at Stamford Bridge.

A much-changed Manchester City side had equalised two minutes after Diego Costa had put the Blues ahead.

Costa scored with a diving header 10 minutes before half-time and teenager David Faupala – one of five City players making their full debut – hauled the visitors level.

But the irrepressible Willian restored Chelsea’s lead a couple of minutes after the interval.

He rampaged forward, found Eden Hazard and collected the Belgian’s return pass before firing into the far corner.

And when Fernando failed to properly clear Hazard’s ball into the box four minutes later, Cahill was on hand to volley home.

Chelsea have dominated most of the game and Pedro almost gave them an early lead when he exchanged passes with fellow Spaniard Cesc Fabregas before nudging the ball beyond keeper Willy Caballero and against the far post.

Fabregas then set up Costa, who was crowded out by the City defence, and the midfielder also had a left-footed shot from near the edge of the penalty area saved by Caballero.

Fabregas was involved in the opening goal too, lifting the ball towards Hazard, whose left-wing cross enabled Costa to score from five yards out – the striker’s 13th goal of the season.

However, although Chelsea were on top, forwards Faupala and Kelechi Iheanacho, both 19, have looked a threat on the counter-attack.

Faupala had an effort saved by Thibaut Courtois and Iheanacho fired over before a slick City move culminated in Iheanacho teeing his strike partner up to score from close range.

Chelsea were somewhat unlucky as Cesar Azpilcueta’s attempted clearance struck Faupala and rebounded into the net.

And they would have quickly regained the lead had Caballero not made a stunning save to deny Pedro at point-blank range following Fabregas’ cross.

Within six minutes of the start of the second half, though, Chelsea were two goals to the good and on course for the quarter-finals.