Pedro, Chelsea reach FA Cup semis
LONDON— Pedro scored with a header in extra time for Chelsea to advance to the FA Cup semifinals with a 2-1 win at Leicester on Sunday.
Chelsea next faces Southampton at Wembley Stadium after new manager Mark Hughes’ side beat Wigan 2-0. Manchester United plays Tottenham in the other semifinal, which is also at Spurs’ temporary Wembley home. Chelsea was made to work hard to progress in the only remaining competition it can win this season. Alvaro Morata got the visitors going with his first goal of the year.
The Spanish striker scored on a counterattack minutes before the break. Willian won the ball near his own penalty area and found Morata with a fine pass. Morata took one touch and then sent the ball over the outrushing Kasper Schmeichel with a fine finish.
Leicester improved after the interval and Jamie Vardy might have equalized when he headed a good opportunity over.
The home side’s pressure finally paid off when Vardy equalized with a quarter-hour remaining. Riyad Mahrez crossed and Vardy’s initial effort was blocked by a defender, as was Vicente Iborra’s attempt. Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero saved Iborra’s followup, before Vardy finally scored at the fourth attempt. Southampton 2 Wigan 0: Southampton rallied after halftime to defeat third-tier Wigan reach the semifinals in Mark Hughes’ first match in charge. Hughes, who took over as coach from the fired Mauricio Pellegrino on Wednesday, watched as his side was largely outplayed by the home team in the first half. Wigan knocked Manchester City out in the previous round and was looking to beat its fourth Premier League side, but couldn’t get it done.