Kelechi Cup of joy
KELECHI IHEANACHO kept up his incredible FA Cup run to fire Leicester to aWembley final against Chelsea.
The Nigeria international grabbed the 55th-minute winner and said: “The FA Cup loves me – and I love the FA Cup.”
The 24-year-old’s goals have shot the Foxes toWembley almost single-handedly this season with a winner against Brighton and a
cracking double to dump Manchester United out in the 3-1 quarter-final win.
His love affair with the competition is hardly surprising.
He has scored 14 goals in it over the past five seasons, more than any other player. And Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers, right, said: “Hopefully it loves him a bit more in the final, that would be great for all of us.”
Iheanacho added: “It’s not a one-man show. We did this together. I’m happy. I was just in the right place at the right time. We’re in the final and that’s what matters. I’m delighted.”
And he paid tribute to strike partner Jamie Vardy who raced behind the Southampton defence to set him up for the goal which puts Leicester in the final for the first time since 1969. Former England international Vardy has had a lean time of things in terms of goals since Christmas with just one in his last 19 games. But Iheancho said: “Our partnership is outstanding. He has the pace and everything. Jamie is the best partner you could want as a striker.” Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “It hurts. It’s hard to take because that’s the first goal we’ve conceded and it’s knocked us out.
“Their goal was a bit unlucky from our point of view.”