Ross Barkley strike sends Chelsea into FA Cup semis

Eight-time FA Cup winners Chelsea reached the semi-finals on Sunday as midfielder Ross Barkley got here off the bench to safe a deserved 1-Zero victory at faltering Leicester City.

Barkley, one of many three modifications supervisor Frank Lampard made at halftime, slid dwelling the winner within the 63rd minute because the west London facet joined Manchester United and Arsenal in final 4.

Leicester had been the higher facet earlier than the break and had the majority of the probabilities towards a torpid Chelsea, however the guests had been a unique proposition after the interval.

Tammy Abraham had a objective dominated out for offside after which Barkley discovered area within the space to clip Willian’s measured cross previous goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel simply previous the hour.

Leicester, with out the creativity of attacking midfielder James Maddison who was lacking with a hip drawback, struggled to reply though they did mount some belated late strain.

Chelsea have been buoyant because the season resumed following the novel coronavirus stoppage, successful each of their Premier League video games to consolidate fourth place and so they now have a Cup semi-final to sit up for.

Leicester then again have struggled to rediscover their rhythm, drawing twice within the league, and whereas they’re nonetheless third, different groups are respiration down their neck.

“It was important to get the win and keep the momentum going,” Barkley stated. “At halftime we said it’s not good enough and to be vocal on the pitch, and we improved.”

It was the third of this 12 months’s FA Cup quarter-finals to be gained by the away facet and the way Leicester may have achieved with the noisy assist they normally obtain on the King Power Stadium.

They did begin the sport nicely with Harvey Barnes having half an opportunity and Jonny Evans simply failing to attach with a header.

Chelsea keeper Willy Caballero didn’t have a lot to do, though he did scramble away a Youri Tielemans shot.

Lampard was sad and will clearly be heard telling his staff to “liven up” within the empty stadium.

Young trio Mason Mount, Billy Gilmour and Reece James all got here off at halftime with Barkley, Mateo Kovacic and Cesar Azpilicueta despatched on so as to add some expertise.

Lampard was rewarded with a much-improved show.