A goal by substitute Pedro has put Chelsea into the FA Cup semifinals with a 2-1 win away to Leicester City in extra time.
Cheslea duo Willian, left, and Eden Hazard. Photo: Photosport
Earlier, the home team's England international Jamie Vardy had equalised Alvaro Morata's first goal of 2018.
With no replays from the quarterfinals onwards, 30 extra minutes were required on Monday (NZ time), 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 have knocked Leicester out, in 1997, 2000 and 2012, they won the competition.
Morata finished well to open the scoring just before halftime after Riyad Mahrez lost possession and Willian instigated a swift counterattack and played the striker in with a perfect through ball.
The home side equalised in the 76th minute with a scrambled goal by Vardy 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.
Earlier, Southampton beat third-tier Wigan Athletic 2-0 in their quarter-final clash as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Cedric Soares were on target in manager Mark Hughes' first match in charge.
Hughes was appointed Southampton boss last week following the sacking of Argentine Mauricio Pellegrino and his side, 18th in the Premier League, struggled in the opening 45 minutes against League One promotion chasers Wigan.
Wigan, who had beaten three Premier League teams in the Cup including Manchester City in the previous round, could not convert their chances, however, and Southampton came out strongly after the break.
The decisive goal came in the 62nd minute when Hojbjerg converted with a side- foot finish from a Dusan Tadic corner.
The semifinals will be played on April 21-22, with Chelsea playing Southampton and Manchester United playing Tottenham Hotspur.
- Reuters
