Chelsea 5 Leicester 2

GARY CAHILL showed his support for Fabrice Muamba as Chelsea cruised into the FA Cup semi-finals. Cahill, who played alongside Muamba at Bolton, opened his account for the Blues with a thumping 12th-minute header. And he immediately lifted his shirt to unveil a vest with the words 'Pray 4 Muamba' emblazoned on it. Salomon Kalou added the second for the hosts in the first half, while Fernando Torres ended his goal drought in the 67th minute. Jermaine Beckford pulled once back for the Foxes, only for Torres to add his second in the 85th minute. Nigel Pearson's men continued to push forward and substitute Ben Marshall pulled one back with the best goal of the game two minutes from time. But Raul Meireles added a final touch of gloss in the dying seconds, slotting home after being played in by Torres. Torres broke away down the right in the third minute but Juan Mata's effort was deflected wide. The �50million hitman rose highest to reach the resulting corner from Meireles, only to head over. Mata and Torres continued to combine well as Chelsea kept up the pressure, forcing Leicester to play mainly on the counter in the early stages. But they stretched the hosts when Sean St Ledger released David Nugent, who won the Foxes' first corner of the afternoon. The Championship outfit looked assured on the ball and Neil Danns drove forward from midfield before Beckford curled a shot wide. They were left facing an uphill battle, however, when Mata delivered a pinpoint corner. Cahill powered home a header before revealing a message in support of his former team-mate, who suffered a cardiac arrest at White Hart Lane last night. Chelsea were unlucky not to double their advantage just moments later when Daniel Sturridge waltzed through the Leicester defence. The England man's pass found Mata but his goalbound effort was well blocked by Paul Konchesky. Roberto Di Matteo's men did not have to wait long for the second as Torres raced away before playing in Kalou, who calmly slotted the ball beyond Kasper Schmeichel. It should have been 3-0 in the 20th minute but Sturridge poked the ball wide after displaying perfect control. Torres spurned a golden chance 60 seconds later, heading straight at Schmeichel when Mata's sublime footwork saw him wriggle away from St Ledger to deliver a cross. The misfiring Spanish striker quickly forced Schmeichel into action again, cutting inside before unleashing a stinging drive. Leicester refused to roll over and Danns saw his powerful drive pushed around the post by Petr Cech. But it was Chelsea who continued to look more dangerous until the break, Sturridge seeing his drive deflected wide before Leicester threw on Lee Peltier for Paul Gallagher. With Wednesday's trip to Manchester City in mind, Di Matteo made a change at half-time, sending on Florent Malouda for the influential Mata. And Chelsea were quickly back on the attack, Malouda testing Schmeichel from distance. The Frenchman was involved again in the 54th minute but dragged his effort wide after doing well to create space. Ryan Bertrand then delivered the perfect ball to pick out Torres, who should have shot earlier before seeing his left-foot drive comfortably blocked by the Leicester defence. Michael Essien replaced Kalou after 64 minutes as Sturridge blazed wastefully wide when well placed. A quick break by Chelsea then saw Meireles find Torres in acres of space. He scuffed his finish but the ball rolled into the back of the net � much to the relief of everyone inside Stamford Bridge. Torres went close to a second moments later and Sturridge again fired wide as Chelsea looked to add to their tally. Beckford tested Cech as the clock ticked down and the striker netted a consolation 13 minutes from time. Danns broke forward once again and Beckford was on hand to tap home after his team-mate's drive thumped against the post. Chelsea had to weather a brief storm after the goal but Torres peeled away at the near post to meet a corner from Meireles and head home. Marshall rattled home a second for the visitors before Meireles rounded off the scoring in the 90th minute with a side-footed finish. Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic (Luiz 76), Cahill, Bertrand, Mikel, Meireles, Sturridge, Mata (Malouda 46), Kalou (Essien 63),Torres. Subs not used: Hilario, Lampard, Drogba, Ferreira. Goals: Cahill 12, Kalou 17, Torres 67, 85, Meireles 90. Leicester: Schmeichel, St Ledger (Schlupp 63), Morgan, Bamba, Konchesky, Gallagher (Peltier 43), Wellens (Marshall 83),Danns, Dyer, Nugent, Beckford. Subs not used: Smith, Howard, Kennedy, Hopper. Goals: Beckford 77, Marshall 88. Att: 38,276 Ref: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).