Leicester knocked out Manchester United from the FA Cup as Kelechi Ihnacho’s double won 3–1, while Chelsea would face Manchester City in the semi-finals after defeating Sheffield United on Sunday. Brendan Rodgers’ side can expect to meet Southampton in their first FA Cup semi-finals since 1982 for the Predator finishing of Ihnacho at King Power Stadium. He put Lesnar ahead of Mason Greenwood’s late equalizer in the first half as Rodgers’ 100th game in charge. Yuri Tielemans restored Leicester’s lead and Nigeria striker Ianacho recorded his second win over United in 23 years and his first since 2014.
Leicester, who have never won the FA Cup and last reached the final in 1969, will face Southampton in April for Wembley.
“I’m obviously pleased. It was a great performance. Every aspect of the game was completed,” Rodgers said.
“We showed courage to play against one of the biggest teams in Europe. I told the players that they were three games from history. Now it’s two.”
Their 29-run game ended by United’s Lungs Exit without a loss in all domestic competitions since losing to Liverpool in January 2020.
Without a trophy since the 2017 Europa League, the competition is now the last realistic chance to win the first silver of the reign of owner Ole Gunnar Solskar.
“We didn’t have the spark, but it makes sense. We played every three days and were on a fantastic run. It just caught up with us, all the games and travel,” Solaskar said.
“Thursday was a big night in Milan and there were so many of us physically. We didn’t have the extra zip, authority and confidence today.
“We got to focus on the Europa League and the Premier League. Yes, we would love to go to Wembley but now the focus is on the games we have.”
After reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League with a win at AC Milan in midweek, Solskjaer made five changes and United’s reshuffling line-up never looked comfortable.
Fred paid the price for a terrible mistake in the 24th minute.
When Harry Maguire played a risky ball to Fred on the edge of the combined area, Brazil’s nervous reaction was a weak back-pass to United keeper Dean Henderson.
Ihenacho began to block it before Henderson scored a goal and tapped into an empty net to score eight goals in his last nine games.
United equalized in the 38th minute when Pogba’s cross was cleverly dummied by Donnie van de Beek and Greenwood slammed his shot Casper Shamichel from 12 yards.
Lacquerster United were still not out and the tiemen trailed Leicester in the 52nd minute.
The Belgian midfielder advanced uncontrolled as a joint support and took full advantage with a fine low finish from the edge of the field.
Ihnacho hit United in the 78th minute with a clinical header from a free-kick from Mark Albrighton.
Chelsea founded City Clash
At Stamford Bridge, Thomas Tuchel’s much-changed side were below their best, but still made a potentially thrilling outing at Manchester City to beat Sheffield United 2–0.
From Oliver Norwood’s own goal in the 24th minute, the midfielder converted Ben Chilwell’s shot into the net, putting him in the final four.
Hakeem Ziach came off the bench to finish Chilwell’s pass in second-half stoppage time.
The Blues have returned to the FA Cup semi-finals for the fourth time in the last five seasons after losing in last year’s final against Arsenal.
Chelsea won the last of the club’s eight FA Cups under Antonio Conte in 2018.
“We were a good first half where we controlled everything. We lost control in the second half. After 14 consecutive matches I could feel that we were tired and we made many small mistakes.”
Promoted
Since replacing sacked Frank Lampard in January, Tuchel is unbeaten in 14 games in all competitions.
Chelsea have kept 12 clean sheets in that span, outscoring the opposition in their last seven matches.
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