LONDON — A goal by substitute Pedro put Chelsea into the FA Cup semifinal with a 2-1 win away to Leicester City after extra time Sunday.
Earlier the home team’s England international Jamie Vardy had equalized following Alvaro Morata’s first goal of 2018.
With no replays from the quarterfinals onward, 30 extra minutes were required, in which Pedro headed in a cross by former Leicester midfielder N’Golo Kante.
Manager Antonio Conte, knowing this is his last chance of a trophy this season, must hope the victory is an omen. The previous three times Chelsea has knocked Leicester out, in 1997, 2000 and 2012, it won the competition.
In the semifinal at Wembley it will face Southampton, the lowest placed of the four teams left.
Morata finished well to open the scoring just before halftime after Riyad Mahrez lost possession and Willian instigated a swift counter-attack and played the striker in with a perfect through pass.
Left out of Spain’s squad for two forthcoming friendlies after a run of poor form, the 58 million pound ($81 million) signing from Real Madrid had not been on the score-sheet since 26 Dec.
In contrast it was Vardy’s seventh goal in nine games in all competitions. After a spell of pressure, Mahrez put in a low cross and although Vicente Iborra was twice denied by blocks, Vardy clipped home the loose ball.
Chelsea could have repeated their goal when Willian put Morata through again, Kasper Schmeichel bringing off a double save.
In extra time, substitute Pedro missed for Chelsea but made amends when the Leicester goalkeeper was caught in no-man’s land.
The win ended a run of five away matches without success and Chelsea will now be favorite to reach another FA Cup final.
Losing the final to London rival Arsenal last season cost it a Premier League and FA Cup double but it has won the trophy seven times, the last four of them between 2007 and 2012.
Leipzig stuns Bayern
Substitute Timo Werner netted a second-half winner as RB Leipzig came from behind to shock Bayern Munich 2-1 Sunday as the Bundesliga leader suffered a first defeat since November, a stretch of 19 matches in all competitions.
It was a historic night for sixth-placed Leipzig as it beat Bayern for the first time at the fifth attempt.
“Leipzig ran hard, was very aggressive and pressed us well,” said Bayern head coach Jupp Heynckes.
“We didn’t play like we have done in the last few weeks and I have to say it clearly: Leipzig deserved to win.”
Back-up striker Sandro Wagner gave Bayern an early lead at Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena, but the host roared back in emphatic style through Liverpool-bound Naby Keita and Werner.
Bayern maintains a massive 17-point lead at the top of the table with a mouth-watering clash at home to third-placed Borussia Dortmund to follow in a fortnight. — Agencies
