Chelsea are the first side into the Vitality Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals after a 7-0 victory over ten-player Leicester City.
Jemma Purfield’s free-kick for Leicester was met by Howard and forced a save from Ann-Katrin Berger, the Chelsea defence then twice blocking shots on the line from Sam Tierney and another from Freya Gregory.
The Foxes received a major set back on 17 minutes, when Howard got a straight red card for a late tackle on Jonna Andersson.
Midway through the first half, Pernille Harder gave Chelsea the lead from a Sophie Ingle’s through ball and her second goal followed before the break, Sam Kerr setting up the close-range finish.
On the hour mark it was Harder who this time played in Kerr to score, then six minutes later Ji So-yun curled the ball past the keeper for 4-0.
Harder headed across the box for Aniek Nouwen to nod home for her first goal for Chelsea, Kerr then doubled her tally and Beth England made it 7-0 with a powerful header.
