Chelsea

The Isle of Fernando’s shines again

Match report: Chelsea progressed to the semi finals of the FA Cup after a 5-2 victory over Leicester City at Stamford Bridge. Fernando Torres bagged a brace.

by
lewistaylor
March 19, 2012

Torres - Back amongst the goals

Writer: Lewis Taylor:

Firstly I’d like to say on behalf of myself and everyone at football-talk.co.uk that our thoughts and prayers are with Fabrice Muamba who collapsed during Boltons FA Cup game against Tottenham on Saturday.

Sunday the 18th a day when all mothers woke up to the sight of flowers and cards on a bright sunny morning. This was also the day in which Chelsea’s FA cup run resumed with a tricky test against Nigel Pearsons Leicester City.

7 Changes where made to the Chelsea starting eleven after the midweek triumph against Napoli. Cahill and Bosingwa returned to the side replacing Luiz and the injured John Terry. Changes where made in the middle with Meireles, Obi, and Sturridge returning with Kalou and the goal seeking Fernando Torres.

Leicester brought with them 6,000 traveling fans to create a great FA cup day atmosphere. Could Chelsea continue their run of form under Di Matteo?

The visitors started brightly and showed their intent on causing an upset. Their attack looked to exploit Bosingwa down Chelsea right flank, and they passed the ball with intent. However it was Chelsea who made the breakthrough when a Mata corner found a poorly marked Cahill. The ball came in and Cahill rose up to head the ball in past the helpless Kasper Schmeichal. His first goal for the club.

The image of the match was Cahill’s celebration as he uncovered a shirt sporting the words ‘Pray for Muamba’ who is an ex Bolton team mate.

Chelsea continued to show a sense of attacking ambition and with an immense amount of energy and determination. What has Di Matteo been feeding them? No doubt Andre Villas-Boas must have been watching in amazement.

Fernando Torres showed great pace as he skinned Konchesky down the right flank before feeding through a great ball into the path of Kalou. Kalou took a touch to take him around the defender before smartly slotting the ball under Kasper Schmeichal. Chelsea 2 Leicester 0.

The different class between the two teams started to show as Chelsea where the team on fire. Mata, with arguably the greatest touch I’ve seen this year, pulled the ball out of the air from a tight angle and flicked it around the defender. A quick look and a cross destined for the head of Fernando Torres. The Spaniard put his head through it, Chelsea Fans held there breath before it went straight into the hands of Schmeichal. ‘Here we go again’ many thought.

Leicester’s only main threat of the half came to the feet of Beckford who forced a great save out of Cech. With a powerfull strike to his left. Worrying signs came for Leicester as Gallagher went down with a knee injury tangling with Bosingwa. (Sub: Gallacher off – Lee Peltier on)

HT Chelsea finished the half two nil up.

The second half began with Mata coming off for Chelsea veteran Malouda. The Frenchman given a chance to impress after losing his first team place this season. On 50 minutes he nearly did just that with neat control pulling the ball onto his favoured left foot before narrowly missing the target.

Over an hour gone and brilliant link up work between Meireles and Sturridge found a searching Torres run. And a chance to end his long goal draught. Torres took a touch before bundling the ball into the net. An almighty roar from Chelsea fans and players, relief and a huge weight off Torres’ shoulders. Chelsea 3:0

Ivanovic came off for David Luiz. On the 77th minute Leicester City grabbed a goal back. After a Neill Dann effort had rebounded of the post, it fell to the feet of Beckford who cooly slotted it past Cech. City fans started to dream of a comeback. Chelsea 3 : Leicester 1

85 minutes played and a Chelsea corner Raul Meireles to take. A great delivery finds the head of the Torres who flicks it home for his second of the game. Chelsea’s new goal machine and a shadow of the old Torres. A great finish from the Spaniard from a difficult angle. Chelsea 4 Leicester 1.

88 minutes gone and it’s City who out of nowhere snatch a goal back. Ben Marshall the scorer, he picks up the ball and lashes a right boot through it. The ball curled beautifully straight into the top corner. Great goal from the youngster. Arguably the goal of the match. Chelsea 4 Leicester 2.

As the final minutes went by Torres was again the man of the moment. Scorer of two and assist of two. Absolute goals galore at the bridge, Torres sets up Meireles who fires home a 5th Chelsea goal from 8 yards. A phenomenal day for Chelsea and the FA cup. FT Chelsea 5 Leicester 2.

So another win for Di Matteo’s Chelsea. An absolute thrilling game with Fernando Torres deservedly bagging himself man of the match. The end of the road for City. Next stop Wembley, the opponents either Bolton Wanderers or Tottenham. Chelsea’s dream looks like a reality.

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