Leicester City 0-1 Chelsea – super sub Ross Barkley fires Blues into FA Cup semi-final

Frank Lampard would have been forgiven for fancying a drop far stronger than water during a first-half drinks break that he would follow with a treble substitution at half-time.

That move proved a sober judgement and one that keeps alive the dream of a trophy in his first season back at Chelsea as manager.

‘Liven up’ he had repeatedly screamed at his careless side, Lampard’s touchline animation in sharp contrast to the lethargy of his players. 

Ross Barkley proved to be the match winner after sweeping home on 63 minutes to send Chelsea to the FA Cup semi-finals

Barkley (middle) volleyed home from Willian’s cross nearly 20 minutes after coming off the bench to give Chelsea the win

Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schemeichel was powerless to stop Barkley’s strike as the home side failed to respond

But if his interval intervention was a jolt intended to snap them from their slumber, then it worked, and for that he deserves enormous credit.

Of course, the luxury of five substitutes means a treble change is not the headline-making act of old – a la Jose Mourinho during his early days at Chelsea – but Lampard’s decision changed the course of this contest, make no mistake there.

It was fitting, then, that half-time arrival Ross Barkley emerged as the match-winner. The finish was Lampard-esque, too, a ghostly drift into the penalty area climaxed with a first-time sweep into the bottom corner.

Barkley later revealed that, during a half-time blast, Lampard told the team their performance was not good enough for the Chelsea badge.

And it was encouraging when it became apparent that Lampard’s annoyance had barely cooled come the end, for he could have taken the easy option and used the result to mask their earlier shortcomings.

That he did not tells us much about Lampard the manager enforcing the standards he set as a player. 

Frank Lampard put in another stellar managerial display as his half-time changes were crucial as Chelsea beat Leicester 1-0

The FA Cup quarter-final was a chance for Leicester’s Ben Chilwell (right) to impress his potential future employers

‘There were a few words at half-time,’ he confirmed. ‘The first half was not what we are used to in terms of our performance. We lacked urgency and intensity, we seriously lacked it.

‘I made three subs but it could have been more. I made the changes I did for impact and to inject some personality. We haven’t played that bad since I’ve been here.

‘The subs changed the game and it was better, but it still wasn’t good enough. I am sorry if I sound too down, I am very happy we are through.’

Lampard loved the FA Cup as a player, his four winners’ medals out-numbering his return in any other competition.

And so does Barkley, this being his third goal in the Cup this season. It was also a timely reminder of his worth with the club’s recruitment drive in attacking areas showing no sign of letting up.

Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech will join next month and already Chelsea’s players are competing for places ahead of next term.

Not that you would know it based on that first-half performance. Indeed, the visitors would have been better served using the mid-half hydration break for an impromptu passing drill.

Instead, Lampard was seen giving particular instruction to Billy Gilmour, the 19-year-old midfielder making just his fifth senior start and of whom so much is expected.

Gilmour, though, had been Leicester’s most creative player, so errant was he in possession.

The teenager’s first wayward pass – inside 20 seconds – should have led to a Harvey Barnes goal but his touch was just as clumsy inside the penalty area.

At least Chelsea’s passing was entertaining, albeit from a comedic perspective. Lampard did not see it that way and, after one Antonio Rudiger cross-field attempt landed in the low rows, the manager spun on his heels in disbelief. Already, you suspect, he was plotting the treble change.

That his side made it to half-time at nil-nil owed much to Leicester’s own struggle for inspiration in the final third.

Gilmour was again the inadvertent source when his sloppy ball found Youri Tielemans and the Belgian burst forward before drawing a low save from Willy Caballero.

At 5ft 5ins, Gilmour could have easily slipped into the shadows and chosen to hide. It it to his credit that he did not, even if the more he saw of the ball, so too did Leicester. 

The Chelsea manager put faith in young midfielder Billy Gilmour (right) but the teenager was hauled off at the break

It was no surprise when Lampard withdrew him at the break, along with Reece James and Mason Mount, making it a trio of young players who the boss says he will speak to in the coming days, although he insists has has no issue with any of them.

Rather, Lampard’s changes were for the necessary benefit of the team and, come 63 minutes, he had his reward when Barkley connected with Willian’s teasing centre to guide beyond Kasper Schmeichel.

‘I played with Ross and I know he’s a great lad,’ said Lampard. ‘He wants to be the best he can possibly be.

‘His attitude has been spot on since we came back and he’s made an impact in every game. He can score, he’s good with both feet and he makes the box. I’ve got lots of time for Ross, he is a big player for us.’ 

Chelsea struggled in the first-half, but Leicester’s finishing was poor as Jamie Vardy (right) went another game without a goal

It was another winless game for Leicester City and Brendan Rodgers (pictured) who has never beaten Chelsea in his career 

Barkley’s goal means Chelsea, eight times FA Cup winners, have reached the semi-finals for the 10th time in last 19 seasons

Opposite number Brendan Rodgers could certainly do with some of his big players emerging in the coming weeks.

He is now without a win in 15 attempts against Chelsea, the club where he worked as reserve team boss while Lampard was a player.

His side have failed to score in five of their last eight matches and, while they huffed and puffed in the second half, they never really looked like equalising.

There is talk of a spike in coronavirus cases in Leicester perhaps forcing the club to see out the season at neutral venues. On this evidence, a change of scenery may be worth a try.

For Lampard, meanwhile, it is back to the familiar surrounds of Wembley.

RECAP: Re-live how all the action played out with Sportsmail’s minute-by-minute coverage at Bramall Lane