Chelsea’s Bizarre FA Cup Quarter Final Win Against Leicester City

Chelsea are, without a doubt, going through a struggle period this season and are no strangers to abnormal games, for example Kepa Arrizabalaga refusing to be subbed off in favour of Willy Caballero during the 2019 Carabao Cup Finals.

Today’s FA Cup tie against Leicester city has got to be the most bizarre domestic cup game of football I’ve seen. Despite leading 2-0 at halftime, due to Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer, Chelsea never looked fully in control or comfortable with the state of the game. This was proven true during the second half, when Leicester equalised in a truly abnormal fashion due to a messy attempt at a pass from Axel Disasi to Roberto Sanchez, resulting in an own goal from Disasi.

On top of that, an earlier penalty from Chelsea in the first half was missed by Raheem Sterling, all but sealing their discomfort – But was it due to Leicester’s pressure or perhaps something deeper such as team cohesion?

Later on in the match, Leicester’s Callum Doyle put in a sloppy tackle on the edge of the box, originally the referee had seen it inside the box and decided to award a penalty as well as a yellow card to the player, but this decision was overturned after a lengthy VAR process in favour of a red card and a free kick right at the edge of the box. Raheem Sterling once again took this free kick, to the sheer disdain of the Chelsea supporters in attendance. Booing rang out around Stamford Bridge from the Chelsea faithful throughout the match. Every time either Sanchez or Disasi had a touch of the ball, it was met with an abundance of jeers. Further disappointment was shown when Mauricio Pochettino decided to substitute Mykhailo Mudryk off for Carney Chukwuemeka, and later on again when Marc Cucurella was substituted for Ben Chillwell.

Stephy Mavididi gave Leicester an equalising goal, putting the foxes very much back in the match.

Leicester attempted to take Dewsbury-Hall off for Connor Coady, but decided against it as Dewsbury-Hall walked off the pitch, rescinding their decision and taking Wilfried Ndidi.

The entire match was a back-and-forth affair, and despite all of the hitches Chelsea managed to overcome not only Leicester, but their own inner issues as well. Leicester being so difficult to beat is very commendable, as the foxes currently play in the Championship.

Two late goals in injury time for Chelsea all but put a stamp on their tickets to Wembley for the Semi-Finals, with Chukwumeka scoring in 90+2, and Noni Madueke with a cheeky chip at the 90+8 mark.

Despite their loss, Leicester played considerably well and tested Chelsea at all stages of the match. The 4-2 scoreline certainly flattered Chelsea today, and doesn’t tell the entire story of the match. I highly doubt Chelsea fans will be very pleased with the anything other than the result of the game today.

For the record, I don’t watch every single Chelsea match available; but abnormality or not, Chelsea have some serious problems that need to be addressed.

Could Pochettino’s job in charge be under fire due to the constant controversy the club’s fans seem to spark with their own players?

One thing is clear: Chelsea’s £1,000,000,000 shopping spree has horribly backfired this season.

Chelsea face an uphill battle against Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals.