Chelsea substitutes Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke scored stoppage time goals to earn a thrilling 4-2 home victory over battling second-tier side Leicester City on Sunday and a place in a the FA Cup semi-finals.

The match had everything needed for a classic cup tie, including end-to-end action, a missed penalty, a red card, a howler of an own goal and some sumptuous strikes.

Chelsea had looked in full control at halftime after goals from Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer, though Raheem Sterling also had a somewhat feeble penalty saved by Jakub Stolarczyk's legs.

However, a howler from Chelsea's France defender Axel Disasi gifted Leicester a goal in the 51st minute when his pass back from distance flew straight into his own goal.

Ten minutes later Stephy Malvididi produced a stunning individual goal, dribbling and sidestepping Malo Gusto before curling the ball into the top corner to put Leicester level.

In the 71st Leicester's Callum Doyle clipped Nicolas Jackson's heel as the striker raced towards goal.

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Referee Andy Madley signalled a penalty and a yellow card but after a VAR check he ruled that the foul had happened just outside the penalty area and changed the yellow to a red because Jackson had been clear on goal.

Chelsea besieged the Leicester area, producing a total of 26 shots to the Championship side's five, and it was the late substitutes who broke through.

With eight minutes added on, Chukwuemka turned Cole's expert back flick into the net and Madueke looped home a brilliant shot from distance to make it four just before the final whistle.

Chelsea, who lost the League Cup final to Liverpool last month, will be at Wembley again next month for their sixth FA Cup semi-final in eight years.

They will meet one of Coventry City, Manchester City or the winner of Sunday's late quarter-final tie between Manchester United and Liverpool.

Chelsea substitutes Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke scored stoppage time goals to earn a thrilling 4-2 home victory over battling second-tier side Leicester City on Sunday and a place in a the FA Cup semi-finals.

Chelsea substitutes Carney Chukwuemeka and Noni Madueke scored stoppage time goals to earn a thrilling 4-2 home victory over battling second-tier side Leicester City on Sunday and a place in a the FA Cup semi-finals. The match had everything needed for a classic cup tie, including end-to-end action, a missed penalty, a red card, a howler of an own goal and some sumptuous strikes. Chelsea had looked in full control at halftime after goals from Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer, though Raheem Sterling also had a somewhat feeble penalty saved by Jakub Stolarczyk's legs. However, a howler from Chelsea's France defender Axel Disasi gifted Leicester a goal in the 51st minute when his pass back from distance flew straight into his own goal. Ten minutes later Stephy Malvididi produced a stunning individual goal, dribbling and sidestepping Malo Gusto before curling the ball into the top corner to put Leicester level. In the 71st Leicester's Callum Doyle clipped Nicolas Jackson's heel as the striker raced towards goal. ALSO READ: Only 40 Russian athletes could feature at Paris Olympics, says IOC’s John Coates Referee Andy Madley signalled a penalty and a yellow card but after a VAR check he ruled that the foul had happened just outside the penalty area and changed the yellow to a red because Jackson had been clear on goal. Chelsea besieged the Leicester area, producing a total of 26 shots to the Championship side's five, and it was the late substitutes who broke through. With eight minutes added on, Chukwuemka turned Cole's expert back flick into the net and Madueke looped home a brilliant shot from distance to make it four just before the final whistle. Chelsea, who lost the League Cup final to Liverpool last month, will be at Wembley again next month for their sixth FA Cup semi-final in eight years. They will meet one of Coventry City, Manchester City or the winner of Sunday's late quarter-final tie between Manchester United and Liverpool.

Stoppage time goals help Chelsea mat Leicester at home to book FA semis ticket

Leicester have little time to bask in the glory of winning the FA Cup for the first time as they face Chelsea again on Tuesday in a Premier League clash of huge significance for who makes next season's Champions League.

The Foxes are in pole position to join the already-qualified Manchester City and Manchester United in Europe's premier club competition as they sit third in the table with two games to go.

However, Chelsea and Liverpool know victories in their final two games will likely be enough for both to move above Brendan Rodgers's men into the top four.

Leicester lead the Blues by two points and are three clear of Liverpool, but face the toughest run-in with Tottenham to come on Sunday after their trip to Stamford Bridge.

"We knew we didn't have any favours in the fixtures," said Rodgers on Monday.

"Everything is still in our hands. The players have been absolutely brilliant up until this point. We've got European football, we've got two games now to arrive into the top four."

Despite the disappointment of missing out on his first trophy in English football, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel did not shy away from suggestions that Tuesday's clash is more important than the cup final in the context his side's season.

"When I stepped into this club the task was let's try everything to be in the top four, not let's try everything to win the FA Cup," said Tuchel.

"Because the FA Cup, as big as it is, does not bring you to Champions League football next season. It's top four that brings us there. Tomorrow is another huge game."

Chelsea's strength in depth could prove vital given the quick turnaround from Wembley's energy sapping clash in front of 22,000 fans.

Tuchel's men were the dominant side on Saturday after he introduced Kai Havertz, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ben Chilwell, Christian Pulisic and Olivier Giroud off the bench in the second-half and the German is likely to make a number of changes.

Liverpool have on paper the easiest run in of the Champions League contenders as they visit Burnley on Wednesday and host Crystal Palace on Sunday.

However, the Reds needed a stunning stoppage time winner from goalkeeper Alisson Becker to see off already-relegated West Brom on Sunday.

"We still need six points to be in the Champions League and then we can maybe sit back with a bit of satisfaction," said Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson.

<h2>- Fans finally return -</h2>

Doors will be open to fans in the Premier League for the first time in 2021 for all 10 games over Tuesday and Wednesday.

Up to 10,000 supporters can attend or a maximum of 25 percent capacity as coronavirus restrictions across England were eased from Monday.

However, there may well be scenes of protest as well as celebration on their return.

Three of the Premier League six involved in the failed European Super League project -- Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea -- are at home this midweek.

The biggest protest is expected for United's clash with Fulham as supporters continue to vent their anger at the club's American owners, the Glazer family.

Liverpool's visit to Old Trafford on May 2 was postponed after supporters stormed the pitch, while more protests took place ahead of that fixture when it did take place last week.

"We've been waiting for a long, long time to welcome the fans back," said United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

"It's never nice to see a club that is not united, fans with the team, so we're hoping that Tuesday is going to be a positive day that we move together."

Fixtures (all times GMT)

Tuesday&nbsp;

Manchester United v Fulham, Southampton v Fulham (both 1700), Brighton v Manchester City (1800), Chelsea v Leicester (1915)

Wednesday

Newcastle v Sheffield United, Everton v Wolves, Tottenham v Aston Villa (all 1700), Crystal Palace v Arsenal (1800), Burnley v Liverpool, West Brom v Fulham (both 1915)

Leicester have little time to bask in the glory of winning the FA Cup for the first time as they face Chelsea again on Tuesday in a Premier League clash of huge significance for who makes next season's Champions League.

Leicester have little time to bask in the glory of winning the FA Cup for the first time as they face Chelsea again on Tuesday in a Premier League clash of huge significance for who makes next season's Champions League. The Foxes are in pole position to join the already-qualified Manchester City and Manchester United in Europe's premier club competition as they sit third in the table with two games to go. However, Chelsea and Liverpool know victories in their final two games will likely be enough for both to move above Brendan Rodgers's men into the top four. Leicester lead the Blues by two points and are three clear of Liverpool, but face the toughest run-in with Tottenham to come on Sunday after their trip to Stamford Bridge. "We knew we didn't have any favours in the fixtures," said Rodgers on Monday. "Everything is still in our hands. The players have been absolutely brilliant up until this point. We've got European football, we've got two games now to arrive into the top four." Despite the disappointment of missing out on his first trophy in English football, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel did not shy away from suggestions that Tuesday's clash is more important than the cup final in the context his side's season. "When I stepped into this club the task was let's try everything to be in the top four, not let's try everything to win the FA Cup," said Tuchel. "Because the FA Cup, as big as it is, does not bring you to Champions League football next season. It's top four that brings us there. Tomorrow is another huge game." Chelsea's strength in depth could prove vital given the quick turnaround from Wembley's energy sapping clash in front of 22,000 fans. Tuchel's men were the dominant side on Saturday after he introduced Kai Havertz, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ben Chilwell, Christian Pulisic and Olivier Giroud off the bench in the second-half and the German is likely to make a number of changes. Liverpool have on paper the easiest run in of the Champions League contenders as they visit Burnley on Wednesday and host Crystal Palace on Sunday. However, the Reds needed a stunning stoppage time winner from goalkeeper Alisson Becker to see off already-relegated West Brom on Sunday. "We still need six points to be in the Champions League and then we can maybe sit back with a bit of satisfaction," said Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson. - Fans finally return - Doors will be open to fans in the Premier League for the first time in 2021 for all 10 games over Tuesday and Wednesday. Up to 10,000 supporters can attend or a maximum of 25 percent capacity as coronavirus restrictions across England were eased from Monday. However, there may well be scenes of protest as well as celebration on their return. Three of the Premier League six involved in the failed European Super League project -- Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea -- are at home this midweek. The biggest protest is expected for United's clash with Fulham as supporters continue to vent their anger at the club's American owners, the Glazer family. Liverpool's visit to Old Trafford on May 2 was postponed after supporters stormed the pitch, while more protests took place ahead of that fixture when it did take place last week. "We've been waiting for a long, long time to welcome the fans back," said United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. "It's never nice to see a club that is not united, fans with the team, so we're hoping that Tuesday is going to be a positive day that we move together." Fixtures (all times GMT) Tuesday Manchester United v Fulham, Southampton v Fulham (both 1700), Brighton v Manchester City (1800), Chelsea v Leicester (1915) Wednesday Newcastle v Sheffield United, Everton v Wolves, Tottenham v Aston Villa (all 1700), Crystal Palace v Arsenal (1800), Burnley v Liverpool, West Brom v Fulham (both 1915)

Football: Chelsea eye Leicester revenge with Champions League riches at stake

Frank Lampard criticised the attitude of some of his Chelsea players after admitting the Blues were easily beaten by the "better side" in a 2-0 defeat to Leicester on Tuesday.

Victory took the Foxes top of the Premier League, nine points clear of Chelsea, who slip to eighth.

A fifth defeat in eight league games piles more pressure on Lampard's position as a £220 million ($300 million) spending spree in the transfer market has failed to reap instant reward.

"We were beaten by the better team," said Lampard.

"I thought they were sharper than us, ran more than us, showed moments of quality. They looked like a team in form and we looked like a team out of form."

First-half goals from Wilfried Ndidi and James Maddison put Leicester in a commanding position and Brendan Rodgers's men could have inflicted a more embarrassing scoreline on Lampard had they taken their chances after the break.

The former England midfielder left two of his expensive recruits Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech on the bench, while club record signing Kai Havertz was substituted after another ineffectual performance.

"We were asleep in moments. I felt like there were quite a lot of moments in the first half where our sharpness wasn't there," added Lampard.

"The basics and bare minimums are to run, sprint and cover ground, and too many of our players didn't do it."

After Chelsea's previous Premier League defeat at home to Manchester City, reports emerged that the club were already looking at potential successors to Lampard.

Frank Lampard criticised the attitude of some of his Chelsea players after admitting the Blues were easily beaten by the "better side" in a 2-0 defeat to Leicester on Tuesday.

Frank Lampard criticised the attitude of some of his Chelsea players after admitting the Blues were easily beaten by the "better side" in a 2-0 defeat to Leicester on Tuesday. Victory took the Foxes top of the Premier League, nine points clear of Chelsea, who slip to eighth. A fifth defeat in eight league games piles more pressure on Lampard's position as a £220 million ($300 million) spending spree in the transfer market has failed to reap instant reward. "We were beaten by the better team," said Lampard. "I thought they were sharper than us, ran more than us, showed moments of quality. They looked like a team in form and we looked like a team out of form." First-half goals from Wilfried Ndidi and James Maddison put Leicester in a commanding position and Brendan Rodgers's men could have inflicted a more embarrassing scoreline on Lampard had they taken their chances after the break. The former England midfielder left two of his expensive recruits Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech on the bench, while club record signing Kai Havertz was substituted after another ineffectual performance. "We were asleep in moments. I felt like there were quite a lot of moments in the first half where our sharpness wasn't there," added Lampard. "The basics and bare minimums are to run, sprint and cover ground, and too many of our players didn't do it." After Chelsea's previous Premier League defeat at home to Manchester City, reports emerged that the club were already looking at potential successors to Lampard.

Lampard questions Chelsea players' desire after Leicester defeat

Chelsea made light of Diego Costa&#39;s controversial absence as the Premier League leaders cruised to a 3-0 win at reigning champions Leicester City on Saturday.

Wing-back Marcos Alonso was their unlikely goal hero with a brace -- just his second and third goals for the club -- either side of half-time before fellow Spaniard Pedro Rodriguez completed the scoring.

That gave Antonio Conte&#39;s men a comfortable win despite the absence of leading scorer Costa amid widespread reports of a training-ground row with fitness coach Julio Tous.

The Brazil-born Spain striker is also thought to be the subject of interest from China, although Conte claimed before kick-off that his omission from the squad was down to a back injury.

Victory was Chelsea&#39;s 14th in 15 Premier League games and was the perfect response to their 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, while for Leicester it was the 10th defeat of a sorry title defence.

Chelsea remain strong favourites to replace Claudio Ranieri&#39;s side as champions after extending their lead over second-placed Tottenham to seven points.

In the opening moments Leicester gave the visitors a scare when Ahmed Musa, fresh from two FA Cup goals at Everton last week, got the better of Cesar Azpilicueta in the Chelsea penalty area.

His cross-shot was parried by Thibaut Courtois in the Chelsea goal and Jamie Vardy could not bring the rebound under control.

Chelsea were furious moments later when Robert Huth escaped any punishment beyond a free-kick for grappling with Willian, who appeared to be caught in the face by the German&#39;s hand.

But the visitors were celebrating moments later when Alonso put them ahead.

Azpilicueta&#39;s cross was miscontrolled by a sliding Pedro, but Eden Hazard helped the ricochet on to Alonso, who beat goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel with a composed finish.

Despairing Schmeichel

Leicester deployed wing-backs in an effort to counteract Chelsea&#39;s successful 3-4-3 system and they combined in the 18th minute when Marc Albrighton crossed from the right for Ben Chilwell to head over.

Leicester struggled for the cohesion to break down a well-organised Chelsea side and the hosts resorted to a desperate long-range effort from league debutant Wilfred Ndidi, which flew well wide on 29 minutes.

Nine minutes before half-time, a curling cross-shot from Vardy for Leicester forced Courtois into a scrambling save

Chelsea preserved their lead comfortably to half-time and doubled it six minutes into the second half.

Leicester only half-cleared a free-kick from the right and Alonso collected the loose ball, set himself and let fly with a firm shot.

His effort deflected off first Wes Morgan and then Danny Drinkwater to wrong-foot Schmeichel, who got a despairing right hand to the ball but could not keep it out.

Alonso tried for an unlikely hat-trick on 65 minutes when he met a right-wing cross by Victor Moses with a fantastic volley that flew a couple of inches wide of Schmeichel&#39;s goal.

Leicester abandoned their experimental 3-5-2 system and reverted to their more usual back four, but their hopes of a comeback were killed off with 19 minutes remaining when Pedro added their third.

The goal owed much to the Spaniard&#39;s delightful flick to release Willian and a little to good fortune after Schmeichel&#39;s save at Willian&#39;s feet only diverted the ball back onto Pedro&#39;s head.

The winger made no mistake with a simple finish.

(AFP)

Victory was Chelsea's 14th in 15 Premier League games and was the perfect response to their 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur

Chelsea made light of Diego Costa's controversial absence as the Premier League leaders cruised to a 3-0 win at reigning champions Leicester City on Saturday. Wing-back Marcos Alonso was their unlikely goal hero with a brace -- just his second and third goals for the club -- either side of half-time before fellow Spaniard Pedro Rodriguez completed the scoring. That gave Antonio Conte's men a comfortable win despite the absence of leading scorer Costa amid widespread reports of a training-ground row with fitness coach Julio Tous. The Brazil-born Spain striker is also thought to be the subject of interest from China, although Conte claimed before kick-off that his omission from the squad was down to a back injury. Victory was Chelsea's 14th in 15 Premier League games and was the perfect response to their 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, while for Leicester it was the 10th defeat of a sorry title defence. Chelsea remain strong favourites to replace Claudio Ranieri's side as champions after extending their lead over second-placed Tottenham to seven points. In the opening moments Leicester gave the visitors a scare when Ahmed Musa, fresh from two FA Cup goals at Everton last week, got the better of Cesar Azpilicueta in the Chelsea penalty area. His cross-shot was parried by Thibaut Courtois in the Chelsea goal and Jamie Vardy could not bring the rebound under control. Chelsea were furious moments later when Robert Huth escaped any punishment beyond a free-kick for grappling with Willian, who appeared to be caught in the face by the German's hand. But the visitors were celebrating moments later when Alonso put them ahead. Azpilicueta's cross was miscontrolled by a sliding Pedro, but Eden Hazard helped the ricochet on to Alonso, who beat goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel with a composed finish. Despairing Schmeichel Leicester deployed wing-backs in an effort to counteract Chelsea's successful 3-4-3 system and they combined in the 18th minute when Marc Albrighton crossed from the right for Ben Chilwell to head over. Leicester struggled for the cohesion to break down a well-organised Chelsea side and the hosts resorted to a desperate long-range effort from league debutant Wilfred Ndidi, which flew well wide on 29 minutes. Nine minutes before half-time, a curling cross-shot from Vardy for Leicester forced Courtois into a scrambling save Chelsea preserved their lead comfortably to half-time and doubled it six minutes into the second half. Leicester only half-cleared a free-kick from the right and Alonso collected the loose ball, set himself and let fly with a firm shot. His effort deflected off first Wes Morgan and then Danny Drinkwater to wrong-foot Schmeichel, who got a despairing right hand to the ball but could not keep it out. Alonso tried for an unlikely hat-trick on 65 minutes when he met a right-wing cross by Victor Moses with a fantastic volley that flew a couple of inches wide of Schmeichel's goal. Leicester abandoned their experimental 3-5-2 system and reverted to their more usual back four, but their hopes of a comeback were killed off with 19 minutes remaining when Pedro added their third. The goal owed much to the Spaniard's delightful flick to release Willian and a little to good fortune after Schmeichel's save at Willian's feet only diverted the ball back onto Pedro's head. The winger made no mistake with a simple finish. (AFP)

Football: Chelsea win 3-0 against reigning Leicester City