Live Commentary

Last Updated at 5:21 pm, March 18th 2012

1. Thanks for all your comments today folks! Don't forget, you can always follow me on Twitter: @RazMirza or send me your views so speak to you all soon!

2. FULL TIME: Chelsea are through to the FA semi-finals for the fifth time in the last seven seasons. Gary Cahill, Salomon Kalou, Raul Meireles and a rejuvenated Fernando Torres with a brace. Jermaine Beckford and Ben Marshall replied for Leicester, but it was the Spaniard's day at Stamford Bridge.

3. 90+1

   Three minutes of stoppage time is being added here. No doubt Torres has been the man of the match today folks.

4. Goals galore at Stamford Bridge this afternoon and Fernando Torres has scored two and set-up two now as he lays the ball into the path of Meireles to fire home from about 8-yards.

5. 90

   GOAL: Chelsea 5 (Raul Meireles 90) Leicester 2.

6. Take a bow Ben Marshall. The youngster picks the ball up, drives forward and unleashes a stunning right-foot curler into the top corner.

7. 88

   GOAL: Chelsea 4 Leicester 2 (Ben Marshall 88).

8. 86

   Daniel Sturridge looks to beat three of four men before running the ball out of play.

9. He's a goal machine..Torres grabs his second of the afternoon with a deft header at the near post from Raul Meireles' inswinging corner.

10. 85

    GOAL: Chelsea 4 (Fernando Torres 85) Leicester 1.

11. 84

    Florent Malouda finds Torres in space but his shot takes a deflection and goes out for a corner.

12. 83

    SUBSTITUTION: Ben Marshall replaces skipper Richie Wellens.

13. 82

    From the corner, Lee Peltier is allowed a free header on goal, but he fails to hit the target.

14. 81

    Beckford nearly gets in, but David Luiz is alert to concede the corner.

15. 79

    Brandan Tweets: "I told you torres would score!"

16. 78

    Maybe this game is not quite over and the City fans still believe.

17. 15 FA Cup goal in 18 ties for Beckford now as he tucks the ball away from close-range after Neil Danns' effort had rebounded off the post.

18. 77

    GOAL: Chelsea 3 Leicester 1 (Jermaine Beckford 77).

19. 75

    SUBSTITUTION: David Luiz replaces Branislav Ivanovic for Chelsea.

20. 74

    At the other end Torres and Ryan Bertrand battle to win the ball back.

21. 73

    GREAT SAVE CECH! Jermaine Beckford is given a sight at goal, but Petr Cech makes a fine save to deny the striker.

22. 71

    We believe you Lucas as Nigel Person shouts at his players, looking to pick them up now.

23. 70

    Lucas Tweets: "Torres is the best striker in the world!"

24. 68

    Moments later Torres, full of confidence now, drives his fierce effort inches over the crossbar.

25. 67

    GOAL: Chelsea 3 (Fernando Torres 67) Leicester 0.

26. 66

    Elliot emails me to say: "Dissapointed not to see Lukaku not even make the bench, With Torres not scoring and Drogba rested why not give the young lad a go!"

27. 65

    Daniel Sturridge doesn't want to pass the ball at the moment as he has a pop from 25-yards, which is high and wide.

28. 64

    SUBSTITUTIONS: Jeffery Schlupp replaces Sean St. Ledger for Leicester and Michael Essien comes on for Salomon Kalou for Chelsea.

29. 63

    At the other end Lloyd Dyer gets away from Cahill, but drags his effort wide of the far post.

30. 62

    Florent Malouda's reverse pass looks for Torres, but Cech is out to collect.

31. 61

    Leicester win a corner which is swung over by Paul Konchesky, but easily headed away and Jose Bosingwa's cross is just about collected by Schmeichel via a deflection.

32. 60

    CHANCE FOR TORRES! It's been over 25 hours since his last goal for the club and the Spaniard panics as he collects a cross although he does get his shot away, albeit, it was blocked.

33. 59

    Jake Tweets: "Fair play to Cahill showing his support to an old team mate with a 'Pray 4 Muamba' t-shirt. Shows a lot of respect." Absolutely right Jake. That was a fine gesture from the England defender.

34. 58

    Fernando Torres bends his run well and opts to look for Daniel Sturridge in the six-yard box, but his cross is well cut out.

35. 57

    Gordon is back in touch and he says: "Glad to see Mata being rested before Wednesday. Time now for the Chelsea players to set up Torres for a goal!!"

36. 56

    Neil Danns delivery is headed clear and now it's a goal-kick to Chelsea.

37. 55

    Branislav Ivanovic brings Richie Wellens down for a free-kick down the left and the City fans get behind their team.

38. 54

    The crowd were not happy with Sturridge's failure to pick out the Spaniard, who was waiting in the six-yard box for the cross.

39. 53

    David Nugent looks for Jermaine Beckford in the middle, but Chelsea quickly break and Daniel Sturridge fails to pick out Torres in the centre at the other end of the field.

40. 52

    Substitute Florent Malouda test the palms of Kasper Schmeichel with a fierce drive from the edge of the area.

41. 50

    The last two times Chelsea have met Leicester in this competition, they've gone on to win the FA Cup. Maybe a good omen for the Blues.

42. 49

    Jake Tweets: "Good to see Chelsea's run under Di Matteo looks to be continuing. A Torres goal would make it the perfect win!"

43. 48

    Neil Danns gets in from of Kalou and looks for the run of Richie Wellens, but Petr Cech is out like a shot to claim the ball.

44. 47

    Leicester get the half underway and Branislav Ivanovic shows fine strength against Richie Wellens.

45. 46

    SUBSTITUTION: Chelsea have made a change at the start of the second half with Juan Mata being replaced by Florent Malouda.

46. 1504

    Don't forget, if you'd like to air your views during the second half, email Raz...that's me! at razwan.mirza@bskyb.com or Tweet me: @RazMirza and I'll publish as many as I can.

47. 1503

    Chelsea are now 1/100 to claim victory with SKY BET, who make Leicester 100/1 and the draw 25/1. My pre-match prediction of 2-0 is still 5/1, but there could be more goals to come in the second half. Head now to www.skybet.com to place your bets.

48. HALF TIME: Chelsea are on course to record their 21st successive FA Cup victory after a fine first-half display against Championship outfit Leicester. Gary Cahill bagged his first goal for the club with a simple close-range header from Juan Mata inswinging corner after 12 minutes and Salomon Kalou added another five minutes later from Fernando Torres' incisive pass.

49. 45+2

    David Nugent finds Lloyd Dyer in space in the area, but he fails to hit the target and that's it as Lee Probert blows his whistle for half-time.

50. 45+1

    Maybe a last opportunity for City as Paul Konchesky comes forward but Branislav Ivanovic shows good strength to win the ball and clear up the line.

51. 45

    Two minutes of stoppage time to be added on at the end of this half then.

52. 44

    Chelsea keep possession now as the clock ticks down to half-time. The hosts are showing their experience.

53. 43

    Luke Tweets: "I think chelsea are going to win at least 4 nil Kalou to grab another one and either Torres or Mata to score the fourth."

54. 42

    SUBSTITUTION: The injured Paul Gallagher is replaced by former Liverpool man Lee Peltier.

55. 40

    Unfortunately the corner comes to nothing, but back come City and Neil Danns bursts forward from midfield before Gary Cahill nips in to win the ball back.

56. 39

    Paul Konchesky brings the ball forward down the City left and now Paul Gallagher turns one way and then the other before his deflected shot goes out for a corner.

57. 38

    Fernando Torres finds himself in plenty of space down the left, but his pass is poor and allows Leicester to clear their lines.

58. 37

    Fergus emails me to say: "Torres to bag a goal in a 3-0 win for the Blues! Di Matteo has brought back that winning mentality at last!"

59. 36

    Richie Wellens is struggling for Leicester at the moment which is not good news for Nigel Pearson.

60. 35

    The resulting corner comes to nothing and at the other end Torres looks for the run of Mata but Schmeichel is out to hack the ball clear.

61. 34

    GOOD SAVE CECH! Neil Danns nips in ahead of Gary Cahill to win the ball, but his stinging drive is palmed away by the alert Petr Cech.

62. 33

    Sean St. Ledge finds Jermaine Beckford, but the striker's control isn't the best, which let's him down.

63. 32

    Jermaine Beckford picks the ball up about 30-yards from goal but his daisy cutter travels well wide of goal.

64. 30

    Gordon emails me to say: "Great team choice today with the midweek game against Man City in mind. If Torres can't score today then it's time for him to retire!!"

65. 29

    That is until Cheslea hunt the ball back in numbers with Salomon Kalou at the heart of the action for the hosts.

66. 28

    Paul Gallagher seems fine after his knock and Leicester play a bit of keep ball at the back.

67. 27

    Mikee Tweets: "I feel 5-0 Chelsea with Torres scoring two and Mata keeping up his FA cup scoring record."

68. 26

    Paul Gallagher goes to ground and is in need of some medical attention.

69. 25

    Ryan Bertrand has a go at goal from the angle, but Schmeichel gets down well and it's wave after wave of attacks by Chelsea right now.

70. 24

    Torres has scored just five goals for Chelsea since his arrival, but he's in fine form today and is looking sharp.

71. 23

    GOOD SAVE! Fernando Torres works the angle well and has a pop at goal from 20-yards which is well palmed away by Schmeichel.

72. 21

    CHANCE TORRES! This is scintillating stuff from Chelsea as Juan Mata drags the ball out of the air before his cross is headed towards the centre of goal by Torres, but Schmeichel denies him.

73. 20

    Superb play by Daniel Sturridge, who gets away from his marker, but dinks the ball over Schmeichel and wide of goal. Torres was waiting for the square ball and isn't happy with the England man.

74. Great turn from Fernando Torres on the Chelsea right before neatly setting up Kalou with a slick pass and the Ivorian does the rest by sliding the ball past Kasper Schmeichel into the corner. Another simple goal and what a great start this has been for the Blues!

75. 18

    GOAL: Chelsea 2 (Salomon Kalou 18) Leicester 0.

76. 16

    Mark Tweets: "Come on chelsea 4 nil maybe Torres might score seein as Leicester aint that good."

77. 15

    Sam clears up the Drinkwater mystery. "To the person who said about Drinkwater not bein on bench he is cup tied so can't play at all."

78. 13

    The perfect start for the Blues of West London but such a poor goal to concede from Leicester's point of view.

79. The defender's t-shirt reads 'Pray for Muamba' as he celebrates his first Chelsea goal. Juan Mata's inswinging corner is headed into the back of the net by the England international, who climbed above Sean St. Ledger to score.

80. 12

    GOAL: Chelsea 1 (Gary Cahill 12) Leicester 0.

81. 12

    Fernando Torres does well down the right before winning a corner for his side.

82. 11

    Don't forget, the former Leeds and Everton striker has scored 14 goals in his last 15 appearances in the competition, so the danger is always there for the hosts.

83. 10

    Neil Danns finds the dangerous Jermaine Beckford in space, but the striker bends his effort well wide.

84. 9

    Paul Gallagher's cross is headed away and now it's a throw to the Foxes.

85. 8

    Sean St. Ledger finds David Nugent with a neat pass and the former Portsmouth striker wins a corner.

86. 7

    The sun is out in West London and the pitch is in excellent condition after that amazing game against Napoli in midweek. Let's hope for more of the same this afternoon.

87. 6

    Lloyd Dyer finds space down the right and he sets up Paul Konchesky to cross but Neil Danns handles the ball and it's a Chelsea free-kick.

88. 5

    Chelsea are in their traditional blue shirts and shorts with white socks while City are wearing white shirts and shorts with blue socks.

89. 4

    Raul Meireles' corner from the right is met by the head of Torres, but the ball loops over the crossbar.

90. 3

    Kasper's dad Peter Schmeichel incidentally is in the stands watching the action. Chelsea break through Torres who spots Juan Mata, but his shot is deflected away for a corner.

91. 2

    Richie Wellens brings Fernando Torres down for an early free-kick although Raul Meireles deep ball is easily caught by Kasper Schmeichel.

92. 1

    Leicester have brought 6,000 fans down to West London today as Chelsea kick-off.

93. 1406

    All the fans clap and chant Fabrice Muamba's name in Stamford Bridge and I hear players have T-shirts with 'Pray for Muamba' written on them, which is a nice touch.

94. 1403

    Great emails and Tweets fans! Keep them coming in this afternoon. If you'd like to air your views during the match, email Raz...that's me! at razwan.mirza@bskyb.com or Tweet me: @RazMirza and I'll publish as many as I can.

95. 1402

    Mark emails in to say: "Following the buzz and hype around the Napoli match Chelsea should easily go past this Leicester team and would be nice to see a minutes appreciation for Fabrice Muamba!"

96. 1401

    Oliver emails me to say: "I support leicester and just wanted to say that we can beat them today but Pearson isn't the man for the in my eyes he needs to stop playing Gallagher and put Drinkwater on." Drinkwater is not even on the bench Oliver!

97. 1400

    John Tweets: "Chelsea for a comfortable 3-0 win, they will have lots of momentum after beating Napoli 4-1."

98. 1358

    Borislav Tweets: "I'm sitting here reading all the managerial speculation and wondering - am I the only one who actually thinks Robby must stay?"

99. 1357

    Solhail Tweets me to say: "Chelsea for the win today! I'm settling for 3-0. Come on you Blues!"

100. 1356

     Let's have a quick look at the betting and Chelsea are 30/100 to claim victory with SKY BET, who make Leicester 9/1 and the draw 4/1. Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge is favourite to bag the first goal at 3/1 while Fernando Torres is 100/30. Juan Mata is a good outside bet at 11/8 to score in 90 minutes. Meanwhile, City's David Nugent and Jermaine Beckford are both 11/1 and Neil Danns is 20/1 for the visitors. Lloyd Dyer is 13/2 to score in 90 minutes. I'm going for a pre-match prediction of 2-0, which is 5/1. Head now to www.skybet.com to place your bets.

101. 1355

     Leicester only make one change following their 3-1 win over Birmingham in their Championship match on Tuesday night with former Liverpool full-back Paul Konchesky replacing Tom Kennedy.

102. 1354

     Roberto Di Matteo makes wholesale changes for this sixth-round tie. Only goalkeeper Petr Cech, who captains the side, Branislav Ivanovic, Daniel Sturridge and Juan Mata remain in the starting XI from their Champions League victory over Napoli with regular skipper John Terry rested completely. Fernando Torres is recalled in attack with Jose Bosingwa, Gary Cahill, Ryan Bertrand, John Obi Mikel, Raul Meireles and Salomon Kalou also handed starts.

103. 1349

     Brian is confident that it will be a rout for Chelsea. He says: "I think after Chelsea's performance in midweek against Napoli, Chelsea will beat Leicester 3 or 4 nil today with Torres grabbing 2, Meireles and Kalou."

104. 1348

     Sam is hoping for an upset today. He says: "Last time leicester played Chelsea they took them very close and it ended 4-3 with a last minute goal. I'm hoping we have a game of the same standard and Leicester have the capabilities to cause a upset."

105. 1346

     Lee Tweets me to say: "Torres must surely score today mustn't he? MUSTN'T HE?!!" Let's see Lee. This could be the day...well, maybe!

106. 1341

     CHELSEA: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Cahill, Bertrand, Mikel, Meireles, Sturridge, Mata, Kalou, Torres.

107. 1341

     SUBSTITUTES: Hilario, Luiz, Essien, Lampard, Drogba, Malouda, Ferreira.

108. 1341

     LEICESTER: Schmeichel, St. Ledger, Morgan, Bamba, Konchesky, Gallagher, Wellens, Danns, Dyer, Nugent, Beckford.

109. 1341

     SUBSTITUTES: Smith, Peltier, Howard, Marshall, Schlupp, Kennedy, Hopper.

110. 1341

     REFEREE: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).

111. 1340

     Here come the teams...

112. 1338

     James emails me to say: "I really hope Roberto plays Torres today. This could be the game that Torres gets his confidence back against a championship team. P.S. hope Fabrice Muamba gets better coz he is in hospital." Yep, well said James! Our thoughts and prayers are with Fabrice and his family.

113. 1334

     Meanwhile, Jamie has a few memories of a League Cup tie between the sides in 1997. He says: "I was at the game these two played in 2007 in the Carling Cup, fantastic game! Chelsea were 3-2 down with three to go and came back. Lampard got a hat-trick and Shevchenko (remember him!) scored a screamer! Hoping RDM can inspire another great performance to send us to Wembley!"

114. 1332

     Chelsea fan Ian is quick off the mark this afternoon and he emails me to say: "Hi Raz. I think it's time for Chelsea to put the past behind them and focus on finishing strong at the end of the season, a win here and I think undoubtedly we have made a good end to a bad season. I hope to be in at least 1 final this year with a hopeful top 4 finish. The win over Napoli still proves we have a strong fighting spirit and if anything has shown we still have the quality we just need the right man to take us forward and not try to do it all at once in the managerial role, timing is key and singling players out half way through the season would be a big mistake for any manager."

115. 1330

     Common Leicester fans, let me know if your side can cause a major FA Cup shock this afternoon. Currently sitting in 12th position in the Championship on 51pts, eight points off the play-off spots. Do you think you should sacrifice a possible semi-final date at Wembley for maybe a rather more important one on May 19th? Email Raz...that's me! at razwan.mirza@bskyb.com or Tweet me: @RazMirza and I'll publish as many as I can.

116. 1327

     Nigel Pearson said his City players need to be brave hearts in West London this afternoon. He told the Leicester Mercury ahead of the game: "It is not the case of us hiding the fact we are underdogs, we want to give a good account of ourselves and cause them problems. It is a fabulous opportunity to show what we can do. A semi-final place is up for grabs and anything can happen on the day. To go to a stadium like Stamford Bridge is something all the players are looking forward to."

117. 1325

     So what do you Chelsea fans expect this afternoon...another victory for Di Matteo? He's certainly got the team playing like their old selves again hasn't he. And an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley is a strong possibility if they play to their potential against Leicester today. Email Raz...that's me! at razwan.mirza@bskyb.com or Tweet me: @RazMirza and I'll publish as many as I can.

118. 1323

     And on this afternoon's game, Di Matteo, insists his players would not take Leicester lightly. "We've seen how difficult it's proven so far, our path in the FA Cup," he said. "With Birmingham, we had a replay, so we have to be aware that we need to perform at a very high level to be able to go through. The FA Cup is exciting because you have always to expect the unexpected."

119. 1322

     "We had a nice chat about that," he said, insisting he would never taunt the former Boro defender about 'that goal'. "He's a nice person, I like him very much. He's very good manager and honest. A man with integrity." The 1997 FA Cup win was the first of several cup medals Di Matteo picked up during his time at Chelsea, a set he may be destined to add to as a manager. He added: "My father keeps a collection in Italy. He's made a room where he keeps all the medals and shirts."

120. 1320

     This FA Cup tie reunites Roberto Di Matteo with Leicester boss Nigel Pearson. The two were on opposite sides when Di Matteo scored the fastest Wembley cup final goal of all time for Chelsea against Middlesbrough 15 years ago. The pair have squared off before as managers and Di Matteo revealed they had reminisced about 1997.

121. 1311

     If you'd like to air your views before or during the match, email Raz...that's me! at razwan.mirza@bskyb.com or Tweet me: @RazMirza and I'll publish as many as I can.

122. 1310

     Hello and welcome to our live minute-by-minute text commentary from this afternoon's FA Cup quarter-final clash between Chelsea and Leicester City from Stamford Bridge.