Goals from Jay Dasilva and Tammy Abraham helped Chelsea edge past 10-man Reading 2-1 in The FA Youth Cup sixth round on Friday night.
A crowd of 1,755 at Stamford Bridge saw the holders held at half-time when Abraham’s penalty was saved by Reading goalkeeper Luke Southwood.
Chelsea 2-1 Reading
The FA Youth Cup
Sixth Round
Stamford Bridge
Friday 26 February
But the deadlock was eventually broken on 58 minutes when left wing-back Dasilva followed up after Southwood had kept out half-time substitute Dujon Sterling’s initial effort.
On 69 minutes Abraham doubled the advantage, heading in Isaac Christie-Davies’s cross from six yards to claim his 22nd goal of the season.
Axel Andresson turned in a corner on 79 minutes to give the visitors hope, but it was Chelsea who went closest to scoring the game’s fourth goal.
Dan Akinwunmi bundled Mukhtar Ali over inside the box and saw red for his troubles.
Ali, though, saw his penalty saved by Southwood, but the Blues had done enough to reach the last four.
FA Youth Cup highlights: Chelsea 2-1 Reading
