With a fourth-round tie against either Everton or Stockport County awaiting the winner of tonight's game, the job that lay in front of Under-18s head coach Hassan Sulaiman and his players was clear.

Chelsea wasted little time getting to work at Leicester's Seagrave training ground, with the deadlock broken inside the opening minute of the contest. The ball was reclaimed high up the pitch and McNeilly was given time to whip a left-footed shot from 20 yards into the net.

Further opportunities came and went for Chelsea during the opening 45 minutes. They were not taken – and that left the door ajar for Leicester to mount a fightback in the second period.

The Foxes improved after the restart and played with greater urgency with and without the ball. That was rewarded six minutes after the interval as 17-year-old Jayden Joseph found the back of the net after breaking through the Blues backline.

A response was needed from Sulaiman's side. It arrived with a little more than 20 minutes to play as Chelsea again capitalised on winning possession high up the pitch.

On this occasion, the ball fell to Michael Golding – who had been introduced shortly before the hour mark – and his effort from 25 yards beat Harry French in their Leicester goal.

Chelsea didn't sit back on their lead, however. They continued to push forward in search of a goal that would kill off the contest and, with four minutes remaining, it arrived via another substitute, Shim Mheuka. It was a goal all of his own making.

The 16-year-old won possession on the edge of the Leicester penalty area, skipped beyond a challenge, and moved into the 18-yard box. Mheuka wasn't closed down quickly enough and he guided a shot into the far corner. It was a fine finish.

That goal enabled the Blues to see out the final minutes of the game in relative comfort. It was a mature display from Sulaiman's side, which will continue their quest to lift the FA Youth Cup next month.

Leicester City starting XI: French, Aluko, Ali, Beale, Amartey, McAlinney, Dyke, Joseph, R.Evans, Briggs, J.Evans.

Leicester City substitutes: Khela, Bausor, Rhomas, Donnelly, Onanaye, Toure, King.

Chelsea starting XI: Merrick, Acheampong, Wilson, Murray-Campbell, Samuels-Smith, Harrison, McNeilly, Dyer, McMahon, George

Chelsea substitutes: Mheuka, Campbell, Boniface, Golding, Akomeah, Runham, Ngumoha