Foxes bite Saints
> Leicester win penalty shoot-out to book Carabao Cup quarterfinal clash with Man City
LEICESTER will face holders Manchester City in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals after a 6-5 penalty shoot-out win over Southampton that was marred by a VAR row yesterday.
In a match rearranged following the tragic death of Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in October, Claude Puel’s side were held to a 0-0 draw by struggling Southampton at the King Power Stadium.
But in the shoot-out, Manolo Gabbiadini’s effort was saved by Danny Ward before Nampalys Mendy bagged the winner for Leicester.
It was Leicester’s first home victory since Vichai’s helicopter crashed outside the club’s stadium just days before they were scheduled to face the Saints in the fourth round tie.
Leicester, who last won the League Cup in 2000, will host Premier League champions City on Dec 18 for a place in the semifinals.
“At the end it’s a fantastic feeling, a lot of emotion,” Puel said.
“Ward made fantastic saves, kept us in the game. I’m happy for Papy who scored the winning penalty.”
Southampton are on a wretched run in the League, but Mark Hughes’ side came close to winning in normal time.
Nathan Redmond turned past Caglar Soyuncu and Danny Simpson on a mazy run into the penalty area and the Southampton winger’s shot struck the underside of the crossbar.
Southampton thought they had broken the deadlock when Redmond’s cross was finished off by Steven Davis, but the goal was ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee after Redmond was adjudged to have handled in the build-up.
Hughes, fighting to avoid the sack, felt
Earlier this month, Southampton striker Charlie Austin made a passionate plea for the technology to be introduced in the Premier League after having a goal disallowed in the 1-1 draw with Watford.
Top flight clubs have agreed in principle to allow the system to be used from the start of next season.
“In recent weeks, we have demanded it be introduced, so we can’t complain too much,” Hughes added.
“But if the guys behind the screen looking at a situation slow it down to nth-degree, then something that’s not deliberate in real time then looks deliberate when it is not.
“From our point of view, it’s a valid goal that should have stood and we should have won the tie. I suppose the more the system is used, the better it’ll get.”
Inevitably, Puel had no complaints with the call, adding: “I wish we had VAR in the last games for us. There have been some difficult decisions for us. I was happy about the decision today.” - AFP