By Graham Chase BBC Sport

Fernando Torres ended a 24-game goal drought with two strikes as Chelsea eased past Leicester to book a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.

Gary Cahill headed the hosts in front and Salomon Kalou finished a breakaway for a second before Torres prodded in.

After Jermaine Beckford tapped in a rebound, Torres, who had not scored in 152 days, headed a fourth.

Leicester's Ben Marshall drove in from 25 yards but Raul Meireles finished a counter-attack to score the fifth.

CUP NOT OVERFLOWING

Despite enjoying a prolific spell at Liverpool, Torres but had only scored one FA Cup goal before his double against Leicester

The Stamford Bridge club will face the winner of the abandoned quarter-final between Tottenham and Bolton in the last four.

Interim Chelsea boss Roberto di Matteo has stated that he will give Torres, who cost £50 million from Liverpool in January 2011, as long as it takes to rediscover his goal-scoring form.

The Spain international's work around the box suggested that confidence is not a problem but he wasted one first-half opportunity and passed rather than shot on two occasions.

But the weight was lifted when the striker found the net for only the sixth time since his move from Anfield, scrambling in from a Meireles cross. He then added Chelsea's fourth in a game that also saw him create two other goals.

Torres's breakthrough was another bonus for Chelsea as they won a fourth successive match for the first time since September, securing a trip to Wembley and a place in the semi-finals for the fifth time in seven years.

Beating lower-league opposition in an FA Cup quarter-final is hardly a notable achievement, given the success that has been enjoyed by the Blues over the last decade.

But it is the return of an authority and ruthlessness that contrasts so sharply with Andre Villas-Boas' time in charge at Stamford Bridge.

There may have been seven changes from the team that beat Napoli in the Champions League but Chelsea began with a similar intensity and Torres earned the corner that saw the hosts take the lead with only 11 minutes gone.

Juan Mata clipped the ball in from the right and Cahill rose above Wes Morgan to head in from six yards before unveiling a "Praying 4 Muamba" T-shirt in honour of his stricken former team-mate Fabrice Muamba.

They managed a second five minutes later when Torres tore clear down the right and showed intelligence to cross for Kalou, who calmly guided past visiting goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Torres got a clear opening of his own midway through the opening period when Mata cushioned a high ball and chipped into the area only for his fellow Spaniard to head straight at Schmeichel.

Midway through the second half, Malouda sent Meireles into space down the right and the Portuguese's cross was guided in by Torres.

After the impressive Neil Danns saw a shot come back off the post, Beckford touched in for his 15th FA Cup goal in 15 starts.

Torres restored the three-goal gap with a neat header only for Leicester substitute Marshall to thump in for his first since joining from Stoke .

But Chelsea scored a fifth when Torres raced down the left and cut back for Meireles to sweep in.

Lineup, Bookings (0) & Substitutions (6)

Chelsea

  • 01 Cech
  • 02 Ivanovic (David Luiz - 76' )
  • 17 Bosingwa
  • 24 Cahill
  • 34 Bertrand
  • 12 Mikel
  • 16 Meireles
  • 09 Torres
  • 10 Mata (Malouda - 46' )
  • 21 Kalou (Essien - 63' )
  • 23 Sturridge

Substitutes

  • 40 Hilario
  • 04 David Luiz
  • 19 Ferreira
  • 05 Essien
  • 08 Lampard
  • 15 Malouda
  • 11 Drogba

Leicester City

  • 01 Schmeichel
  • 03 Konchesky
  • 06 Bamba
  • 12 St Ledger (Schlupp - 63' )
  • 26 Morgan
  • 11 Dyer
  • 19 Wellens (Marshall - 83' )
  • 23 Danns
  • 07 Gallagher (Peltier - 43' )
  • 20 Beckford
  • 35 Nugent

Substitutes

  • 31 Smith
  • 02 Peltier
  • 30 Kennedy
  • 27 Schlupp
  • 37 Hopper
  • 09 Howard
  • 22 Marshall
Ref: Probert
Att: 38,276

Match Stats

Shots

22 18

On target

14 8

Corners

7 8

Fouls

5 6

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:07 Full time

Full Time The final whistle goes and the game is over.

90:00 +0:02

Fernando Torres provided the assist for the goal.

90:00 +0:02 Goal scored

Goal - Raul Meireles - Chelsea 5 - 2 Leicester Raul Meireles finds the back of the net with a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Chelsea 5-2 Leicester.

89:25

Ben Marshall produces a cross, David Nugent takes a shot. Blocked by David Luiz.

87:55

Assist on the goal came from Jermaine Beckford.

87:55 Goal scored

Goal - Ben Marshall - Chelsea 4 - 2 Leicester Ben Marshall fires in a goal from outside the box to the top right corner of the goal. Chelsea 4-2 Leicester.

87:06

The offside flag is raised against Fernando Torres. Indirect free kick taken by Kasper Schmeichel.

84:52

Raul Meireles provided the assist for the goal.

84:52 Goal scored

Goal - Fernando Torres - Chelsea 4 - 1 Leicester Fernando Torres scores a headed goal from close range. Chelsea 4-1 Leicester.

84:15

Fernando Torres takes a shot. Blocked by Ben Marshall. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Raul Meireles from the left by-line,

83:54

Florent Malouda produces a cross, clearance by Wes Morgan.

82:44 Substitution

Substitution (Leicester) makes a substitution, with Ben Marshall coming on for Richie Wellens.

82:15

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Daniel Sturridge by Paul Konchesky. Michael Essien takes the indirect free kick.

81:27

Corner taken by Neil Danns, Header from deep inside the area by Lee Peltier goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

81:16

Mikel challenges Richie Wellens unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Richie Wellens.

80:32

Shot by Jermaine Beckford from just outside the area goes over the net.

79:18

The ball is swung over by Paul Konchesky, Gary Cahill manages to make a clearance.

76:36

Assist by Neil Danns.

76:36 Goal scored

Goal - Jermaine Beckford - Chelsea 3 - 1 Leicester Jermaine Beckford grabs a goal from inside the penalty area to the top left corner of the goal. Chelsea 3-1 Leicester.

76:19

Effort from just outside the penalty area by Neil Danns strikes the post.

75:04

Free kick taken by Kasper Schmeichel.

75:04 Substitution

Substitution (Chelsea) makes a substitution, with David Luiz coming on for Branislav Ivanovic.

75:04

Daniel Sturridge is flagged offside by the assistant referee.

73:59

Jermaine Beckford takes a shot. Save by Petr Cech.

72:39

Neil Danns takes the outswinging corner, clearance made by Branislav Ivanovic.

72:16

A cross is delivered by David Nugent.

69:50

Centre by Raul Meireles, Headed effort from inside the penalty area by Daniel Sturridge misses to the right of the target.

68:47

Shot from deep inside the area by Fernando Torres clears the bar.

68:06

Corner from the left by-line taken by Neil Danns, save made by Petr Cech.

66:54

Assist by Raul Meireles.

66:54 Goal scored

Goal - Fernando Torres - Chelsea 3 - 0 Leicester Fernando Torres gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Chelsea 3-0 Leicester.

66:12

Jose Bosingwa gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Richie Wellens. Richie Wellens takes the direct free kick.

64:32

Daniel Sturridge produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the bar.

62:20 Substitution

Substitution Michael Essien joins the action as a substitute, replacing Salomon Kalou.

62:20 Substitution

Substitution Jeffery Schlupp comes on in place of Sean St. Ledger.

62:11

Shot by Lloyd Dyer from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.

61:24

The ball is crossed by Jose Bosingwa, clearance made by Richie Wellens.

60:27

Lloyd Dyer crosses the ball, Ryan Bertrand makes a clearance. Paul Konchesky takes the inswinging corner, Raul Meireles makes a clearance.

59:34

Raul Meireles takes a shot. Souleymane Bamba gets a block in.

58:46

A cross is delivered by Salomon Kalou, Fernando Torres takes a shot. Paul Konchesky gets a block in.

58:25

Free kick awarded for a foul by Richie Wellens on Mikel. Free kick taken by Branislav Ivanovic.

58:16

Centre by David Nugent, clearance made by Gary Cahill.

57:44

Paul Konchesky produces a cross, blocked by Daniel Sturridge.

56:44

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Raul Meireles from the left by-line, Header from deep inside the area by Branislav Ivanovic goes over the bar.

54:08

Branislav Ivanovic gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Richie Wellens. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Neil Danns from left wing, clearance made by Gary Cahill.

53:48

Florent Malouda has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the target.

52:08

Jose Bosingwa sends in a cross.

51:14

Neil Danns concedes a free kick for a foul on Raul Meireles. Branislav Ivanovic takes the free kick.

50:42

Florent Malouda takes a shot. Save by Kasper Schmeichel.

49:57

The referee blows for offside against Salomon Kalou. Free kick taken by Kasper Schmeichel.

48:44

Unfair challenge on Richie Wellens by Raul Meireles results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Paul Konchesky.

45:01

The game restarts for the second half.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Florent Malouda joins the action as a substitute, replacing Juan Mata.

45:00 +2:00 Half time

Half Time The players leave the pitch at half time.

45:00 +1:33

Jermaine Beckford has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the goal.

45:00 +0:35

Richie Wellens produces a cross, save by Petr Cech.

43:29

Paul Konchesky delivers the ball, Jose Bosingwa gets a block in.

41:47

Corner taken by Juan Mata played to the near post, Neil Danns manages to make a clearance.

41:47 Substitution

Substitution Lee Peltier comes on in place of Paul Gallagher.

41:47

Daniel Sturridge takes a shot. Blocked by Sean St. Ledger.

41:31

The ball is sent over by Jose Bosingwa, clearance made by Sean St. Ledger.

40:50

Corner taken by Paul Konchesky, Paul Gallagher takes a shot. Blocked by Fernando Torres.

39:54

Paul Gallagher takes a shot. Blocked by Gary Cahill. Corner taken right-footed by Paul Gallagher to the near post, Raul Meireles makes a clearance.

33:20

Neil Danns takes a shot. Save made by Petr Cech. Outswinging corner taken by Paul Gallagher.

32:40

Foul by Fernando Torres on Sean St. Ledger, free kick awarded. Kasper Schmeichel takes the free kick.

32:02

Shot from just outside the penalty box by Jermaine Beckford misses to the left of the target.

30:46

Juan Mata is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Souleymane Bamba restarts play with the free kick.

28:50

Unfair challenge on Ryan Bertrand by Lloyd Dyer results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Salomon Kalou.

28:20

The referee blows for offside against Fernando Torres. Kasper Schmeichel takes the indirect free kick.

24:56

The ball is sent over by Fernando Torres.

24:41

Ryan Bertrand takes a shot. Save by Kasper Schmeichel.

23:40

Richie Wellens has an effort at goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post.

22:47

Fernando Torres takes a shot. Save made by Kasper Schmeichel. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Raul Meireles, clearance made by Neil Danns.

22:12

The ball is delivered by Paul Gallagher, Petr Cech makes a save.

20:59

The ball is crossed by Jose Bosingwa. Juan Mata sends in a cross, Fernando Torres takes a shot. Save by Kasper Schmeichel.

20:52

The ball is crossed by Juan Mata.

20:25

The referee blows for offside. Wes Morgan takes the free kick.

19:45

Daniel Sturridge has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the goal.

19:15

Sean St. Ledger crosses the ball, Jermaine Beckford takes a shot. Save by Petr Cech.

18:07

Paul Gallagher has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand post.

16:59

Fernando Torres provided the assist for the goal.

16:59 Goal scored

Goal - Salomon Kalou - Chelsea 2 - 0 Leicester Goal scored by Salomon Kalou from inside the box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Chelsea 2-0 Leicester.

16:56

The ball is sent over by Fernando Torres,

16:21

Souleymane Bamba takes a shot. Blocked by Jose Bosingwa.

16:05

Paul Gallagher delivers the ball, clearance made by Branislav Ivanovic.

14:27

The ball is swung over by Ryan Bertrand, clearance made by Paul Konchesky. Juan Mata takes the inswinging corner, Wes Morgan makes a clearance.

11:33

The assist for the goal came from Juan Mata.

11:33 Goal scored

Goal - Gary Cahill - Chelsea 1 - 0 Leicester Gary Cahill finds the net with a headed goal from close range. Chelsea 1-0 Leicester.

11:08

Centre by Fernando Torres, Paul Konchesky manages to make a clearance. Corner from the right by-line taken by Juan Mata,

10:15

Jermaine Beckford gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Gary Cahill. Gary Cahill takes the free kick.

8:59

Jermaine Beckford produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the target.

7:45

David Nugent delivers the ball, clearance by Mikel. Paul Gallagher takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance by Raul Meireles.

5:25

The referee penalises Neil Danns for handball. Branislav Ivanovic takes the indirect free kick.

5:17

The ball is sent over by Paul Konchesky, Gary Cahill makes a clearance.

4:24

The ball is crossed by Jose Bosingwa, Souleymane Bamba makes a clearance.

4:13

Raul Meireles takes a shot. Sean St. Ledger gets a block in.

2:43

Juan Mata takes a shot. Blocked by Wes Morgan. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Raul Meireles, Header from deep inside the area by Fernando Torres goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

2:17

The ball is swung over by Sean St. Ledger.

0:44

Foul by Neil Danns on Fernando Torres, free kick awarded. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Raul Meireles from left channel, save by Kasper Schmeichel.

0:00

The ref blows the whistle to begin the match.

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