Chelsea earned a deserved FA Cup quarter-final replay with an outstanding second-half comeback against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
United looked on course to get some consolation for their midweek Champions League exit against Real Madrid as early goals from Javier Hernandez and recalled Wayne Rooney put them in complete control.
A place in the semi-final looked a formality as Chelsea struggled to make any impression, only for the second half to see a complete transformation in fortunes.
Chelsea interim Manager, Rafael Benitez, once again felt the full fury of his own supporters when he replaced Frank Lampard and Victor Moses with Eden Hazard and Jon Obi Mikel not long after the restart.
The taunts were silenced by Hazard’s superb strike just before the hour and another fine finish from Ramires soon after as Chelsea were revived in the most dramatic fashion.
And, as an enthralling tie reached its conclusion, Chelsea looked far more likely to secure a place in the FA Cup semi-finals and it took a save with his feet from United keeper David de Gea from Juan Mata, a minute from time, to deprive Benitez’s side of victory.
Chelsea’s fans celebrated the draw at the final whistle and Benitez will have been delighted by the spirit, resilience and quality shown by his side, who can now approach the replay at Stamford Bridge with optimism as Manchester City await the winners at Wembley in the last four.
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