Ike Ugbo’s second-half strike proved decisive as Chelsea saw off the challenge of Leicester City to reach The FA Youth Cup semi-finals for an eighth successive season.
The former England Under-17 striker headed in full-back Reece James’ 66th-minute cross in a closely-contested tie at the King Power Stadium.
The sides traded blows from distance in the opening exchanges, Layton Ndukwu and Chelsea captain Mason Mount both missed the target though.
Ugbo forced the first save of the game with a fierce header that Leicester keeper Cameron Yates was equal to.
The home side came agonisingly close from taking the lead in the opening moments of the second half, with Kairo Arlott-Edwards’ effort coming back off a post.
Chelsea upped the ante in response, Ugbo heading wide Callum Hudson-Odoi’s centre.
But the Foxes defence were struggling to cope with Ugbo’s aerial threat and he duly decided the tie midway through the second half – his fourth goal in this season’s FA Youth Cup.
Leicester City: Cameron Yates, Simran Thandi, Calvin Ughelumba, Lamine Kaba Sherif, Alex Pascanu, Darnell Johnson, Morgan Brown, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Kairo Arlott-Edwards, Layton Ndukwu, Kanya Leshabela
Substitutes: Harrison Myring for Leshabela 76
Substitutes not used: George Heaven, Adam Harrison, Cal Templeton, Conor Tee
Manager: Trevor Peake
Chelsea: Jared Thompson, Reece James, Marc Guehi, Trevoh Chalobah, Joshua Grant, Jacob Maddox, Dujon Sterling, Mason Mount, Ike Ugbo, George McEachran, Callum Hudson-Odoi
Substitutes: Tariq Uwakwe for McEachran 57, Martell Taylor-Crossdale for Sterling 80, Conor Gallagher for Hudson-Odoi 90
Substitutes not used: Richard Nartey, Jamie Cumming
Manager: Jody Morris
Goal: Ugbo 66
