Chelsea reach semi-finals of FA Youth Cup

Striker Tammy Abraham scored his 22nd goal of the season as holders Chelsea reached the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup by beating Reading 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Jay Dasilva was on hand to score a second-half opener after great work by substitute Dujon Sterling.

And Abraham (pictured), who earlier had a penalty saved, doubled the lead when he headed in Isaac Christie Davies’ cross.

Reading missed a penalty before pulling a goal back with 10 minutes remaining, but the young Blues held on to secure a place in the last four – and were denied by another penalty save in injury time, this time after the kick was taken by Mukhtar Ali.

Chelsea, who will now face Blackburn over two legs, dominated the first half and were awarded the games’s first penalty three minutes before the break after Charlie Wakefield was fouled by Axel Andresson.

Abraham saw his spot-kick saved by Luke Southwood and shortly afterwards appeared to be fouled by the Reading keeper, but this time a penalty was not given.

Wakefield won the penalty after a one-sided spell in which he went close to scoring, Abraham fired over, Ali’s long-range strike was held by Southwood, and Kyle Scott also went close for the hosts when his shot went just wide.

Chelsea continued to press after the interval and Abraham headed wide before Scott shot over.

The pressure finally paid off on 58 minutes, when Dasilva broke the deadlock, and when Abraham then netted the game seemed as good as won.

Reading battled on, and soon after Tyler Frost fired a penalty against the bar following a foul by Jake Clarke-Salter, Andresson scored with a header.

But they were unable to find an equaliser and ended the match with 10 men after Daniel Akinwunmi was sent off for the foul on Sterling that led to Chelsea’s second penalty being awarded.