Palmer by far the best player on the pitch as teammate endures an FA Cup nightmare
CHELSEA survived a second-half collapse to find their way to the FA Cup semi-finals in what will be a huge boost for Mauricio Pochettino.
Ultimately it took a 92nd minute winner from substitute Carney Chukwuemeka after they were comfortably ahead at half-time.
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But a disastrous own goal from Axel Disasi came out of nowhere and left the door open for Leicester to get back into it.
A brilliant curler from Stephy Mavididi made it 2-2 after an hour and Leicester looked as if they were well on their way to joining Coventry as a Championship side in the semi-finals.
However, the tie turned again when Nicolas Jackson, who scored on goal, opted to go down under contact from Callum Doyle to win a penalty.
A penalty was awarded, but VAR intervention found the contact was outside the penalty area and his yellow was changed to red.
From there, Chelsea pounded the Leicester goal in the hope of finding a winner, but they were only found after a brilliant minute from Cole Palmer, his agile back heel finding Chukwuemeka.
Noni Madueke, coming on as a substitute, then leveled the score with a deflected effort from 20 yards after some great work in the build-up.
“Qué sera! Sera!” The Chelsea fans were singing and another trip to Wembley beckons.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the players…
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
Robert Sanchez-5
A nervous display, not one that will convince Mauricio Pochettino of his No. 1 credentials. Caught on to Patson Daka’s ball in his own penalty area and fluttered to a pair of crosses.
It may be harsh to call him out for Axel Disasi’s bizarre own goal, but his positioning was the reason he had little to no chance of recovery and he was soundly beaten for the equaliser.
Malo Gusto-7
An ever-present figure on the right wing and at the heart of all that is good for Chelsea. It appears he has secured the right-back position under Poch.
The only flaw was his defense for Leicester’s equalizer, with Stephy Mavididi intervening and curling a beauty into the top corner.
Axel Disasi-4
Slow to make decisions with the ball at the back. Lax at times, and then one of the most incredible own goals you’ll see this season.
A finish on the wrong side that summed up his sad afternoon.
Trevo Chalobah – 6
Compared to his centre-back, he had a rather dull afternoon. Will be desperate to keep his place in the team with Thiago Silva on the bench and Levi Colwill injured.
Neither goal is at fault.
Marc Cucurella-8
Perhaps there is still a career at Chelsea for the Spaniard, where he scored his first goal for the club with a tap into an empty net.
Looked lively and purposeful as left-back rival Ben Chilwell watched from the bench.
Moises Caicedo-6
Pretty anonymous until a neat link-up with Nicolas Jackson and a ball on a plate for Raheem Sterling, which saw his teammate shoot wide.
Grown into the game after the break and found himself in goalscoring positions, but brings no calm or control to this Chelsea midfield.
Conor Gallagher-6
He started a shift, as he always does, and almost found the bottom corner with a curling attempt just before half-time.
Cole Palmer-8
A quiet opening to his recent high standards this season. Pochettino will be baffled as to why he didn’t take Sterling’s first-half penalty given his record of five in the Prem.
Sterling made up for it with an accurate low ball across goal that Palmer tucked away before half-time. He then produced a brutal backheel for Carney Chukwuemeka’s winner.
Because he didn’t have much possession, he was still by far Chelsea’s best player.
Mychailo Mudryk – 7
It’s a shame he couldn’t score a goal in the first half with his positivity on the ball, seeing one shot blocked in the penalty area and another well saved. Seems to finally be looking at home at Chelsea.
May find it difficult to be finished when – to the fans’ frustration – he was sent off with the score level and 12 minutes of normal time.
Raheem Sterling-5
Had several chances to find the bottom corner from inside the box, but his touch was often left to be desired and his finishing was non-existent.
He was brought down for a penalty in the first half, but his effort from twelve yards was tame and easily saved by Jakub Stolarczyk before missing a one-on-one sitter.
A little later he redeemed himself with an assist for Cole Palmer, but that was his last bit of quality. After a terrible free-kick, the Chelsea fans chanted: ‘Get him off’.
Nicolas Jackson-6
Remains a mystery. From brilliant to astonishing. His dribbling around Jannik Vestergaard to beat Cucurella was inspiring, but at times his clumsiness on the ball cost him.
In the second half he made a Bergkamp-esque turn from nowhere to win a free-kick and earn Callum Doyle a red card, but then missed a sitter from six yards towards the end.
Subs
Carney Chukwuemeka (on for Mudryk) – 8
One chance, one goal to win in injury time. A wonderfully cool finish after a one-two with Palmer in the box.
Noni Madueke (on for Sterling) – 8
Forced Stolarczyk into a decent stop from close range after a cross from Gusto, then unleashed a world rival after a dazzling run to seal the win.