Soccer-Pedro header puts Chelsea into FA Cup semi-final

(Add Conte quotes)

March 18 (Reuters) – A goal from substitute Pedro sent Chelsea into the FA Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win away to Leicester City after extra time on Sunday.

Earlier, home side England international Jamie Vardy equalized after Alvaro Morata’s first goal of 2018.

With no replays since the quarter-finals, 30 minutes of extra time were needed, with Pedro heading in a cross from former Leicester midfielder N’Golo Kante.

Manager Antonio Conte, knowing this is his last chance at a trophy this season, must hope the win is an omen. The three previous times Chelsea have knocked Leicester out, in 1997, 2000 and 2012, they have won the competition.

In the semi-final at Wembley they will face Southampton, the lowest ranked of the four remaining teams.

Morata finished well to open the scoring just before half-time after Riyad Mahrez lost possession and Willian instigated a quick counter-attack and played the striker in with a perfect pass.

Left out of Spain’s squad for two upcoming friendlies after a run of poor form, the £58 million ($81 million) signing from Real Madrid had been off the scoresheet since December 26.

Instead, it was Vardy’s seventh goal in nine games in all competitions. After a period of pressure, Mahrez put in a low cross and although Vicente Iborra was twice denied by blocks, Vardy cut the loose ball home.

Chelsea could have repeated their goal when Willian put Morata through again, with Kasper Schmeichel making a double save.

In extra time, substitute Pedro missed for Chelsea but made amends when the Leicester keeper was caught in no man’s land.

“Leicester caused us a lot of problems, but I think we handled it very well,” said man of the match Kante.

Manager Conte was delighted with his side’s performance after being knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona in midweek.

“A tough game, but we knew that,” he said. “We have to be satisfied today. We saw a good performance and great character from my team.”

The win ended a run of five away games without success and Chelsea will now be favorites to reach another FA Cup final.

Losing the final to London rivals Arsenal last season cost them a Premier League and FA Cup double, but they have won the trophy seven times, the last four between 2007 and 2012.

Leicester manager Claude Puel felt his side deserved better and refused to blame Schmeichel.

“I can’t say anything wrong about him – he’s a fantastic goalkeeper,” he told the BBC. ($1 = £0.7173) (Reporting by Steve Tongue Editing by Christian Radnedge and Pritha Sarkar)