VARDY FIRES FOXES INTO THE LAST EIGHT
LEICESTER 1 SHEFF UTD 0
JAMIE VARDY headed Leicester into the quarterfinals as Riyad Mahrez justified his recall with a sparkling display.
Foxes boss Claude Puel named a very strong side, including Mahrez for his first start since going AWOL.
The Algeria international had missed two games after a proposed move to Manchester City fell through when Leicester demanded £80million in cash.
He came on as a substitute in the Premier League drubbing at the Etihad on Saturday and was promoted to the starting line-up for this tie.
And the huge cheer from the home fans at the King Power Stadium before kick-off showed they have already forgiven the 2016 PFA player of the year.
He repaid their backing with an impressive performance full of sublime touches and vision.
He teed up Vardy by cutting back on to his left foot and curling a superb cross to the back post on 66 minutes, where the England striker met it to send a looping header into the net for his 15th goal this season.
The Blades were competitive and always in with a shout, but they failed to create many clearcut openings.
And when they did, they could to find a way past Foxes keeper Kasper Schmeichel.
The win was Leicester’s first since beating Watford in the last game Mahrez had started before having his head turned by the Premier League leaders.
The Foxes dominated this tie from the start, with former Sheffield Wednesday youngster and Owls fan Vardy curling a shot wide in the 16th minute.
Five minutes later midfielder Wilfred Ndidi tried his luck with a shot from 25 yards and forced a save from Blades keeper Jamal Blackman.
The visitors might have taken the lead in the 32nd minute but former United defender Harry Maguire made a vital block to deny Enda Stevens from eight yards out.
And it was Leicester who continued to regularly create openings, Blackman again called into action to block Vardy’s low shot with his feet.
Just before the break Demarai Gray had a chance but could only find the side netting from a Ben Chilwell cross.
The Championship club brought on David Brooks at the start of the second half and looked more dangerous in attack.
But it was City who took the lead when Mahrez and Vardy combined in deadly fashion.
United came close to levelling five minutes later when Schmeichel did superbly to get down low to his left to turn Chris Basham’s shot around a post.
Mahrez was replaced by Matthew James in injury time and left the pitch to a standing ovation from Leicester supporters.