A pitch invader disrupted the FA Cup quarter-final clash between Chelsea and Leicester City on Sunday afternoon. The moment of stupidity from a supporter came just moments before a stunning goal from Stephy Mavididi to turn the match on its head.
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Chelsea took the lead at Stamford Bridge just 13 minutes into the clash through unlikely goal scorer Marc Cucurella. The left-back was on-hand to tap home from close-range after good work from Nicolas Jackson down the wing.
After a missed penalty from Raheem Sterling, Cole Palmer ensured that the Blues headed into the half-time break with a two-goal lead. However, Leicester were thrown a lifeline in bizarre circumstances after Axel Disasi smashed an over-hit back-pass into his own net from 40 yards.
Further drama then ensued when a member of the crowd jumped out of the stands and onto the pitch as the clock ticked past the hour mark. Stewards quickly raced onto the scene to ensure that the pitch invader did not get near many of the players, before being guided out of sight.
Referee Andy Madeley soon returned to Chelsea, though it was only a matter of time before they were picking the ball out of their own net. Mavididi levelled the score in stunning style in the 62nd minute, cutting in from the left wing before weaving his way past his man and whipping a stunning strike past Robert Sanchez.
The finish sent the Leicester City supporters into a frenzy, though their mood was soon flattened after Callum Doyle was given his marching orders in the 73rd minute after he brought Jackson down on the edge of the penalty area as he bared in on goal.
Chelsea stole the advantage from that point but it took Mauricio Pochettino’s side until the 92nd minute to reap the rewards of their pressure, with Carney Chukwuemeka coming off of the bench to slot his side into the lead and send Stamford Bridge into a frenzy.
Noni Madueke then put the game to bed in the 98th minute with an equally outstanding goal, dribbling past two tired Leicester defenders before whipping his strike into the top corner and out of the reach of goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk. Although the scoreline indicates that Chelsea breezed past their opponents, the Blues will need to improve markedly if they are to win the FA Cup and relieve some of the growing pressure on the shoulders of their manager.
