Leicester City’s dismal FA Cup record against Chelsea continued at the King Power Stadium as they were knocked out by the Blues at the quarter-final stage for the second time in three years.
With Brendan Rodgers applying so much importance to the cups, this really could have been City’s year, even if it was just reaching a final for the first time since 1969, or the semis for the first time since 1982, but, again, it was not to be.
Their post-restart poor form continued, despite a bright start, and their dreadful record against Chelsea in the FA Cup followed. That’s now seven times these sides have met in the competition, and seven times Chelsea have progressed.
Barkley was the match-winner this time, stepping off the bench to turn in Willian’s cross, but it could have been so different if City had capitalized on their first-half pressure.
Barkley, one of those three half-time substitutes, had been making late darts into the box from the moment he stepped foot onto the pitch, and when Barnes didn’t help Chilwell deal with Chelsea’s two players on the right, Willian was able to swing in a cross for the midfield runner.
Ndidi didn’t track and Evans could not get across quickly enough, and Barkley slid into volley past Schmeichel.
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