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Mahrez gets Foxes flying as he sets up Vardy’s winner
Jamie Vardy claimed the sweetest of Fa Cup winners as the Sheffield Wednesday fan dumped out Sheffield United and put Leicester into the last eight. riyad mahrez, who was welcomed home by Leicester fans after his recent stand-off with the club, laid on the winner for Vardy on 66 minutes.
and the boyhood Owls fan made no mistake with his looping header to end the hopes of Chris Wilder’s Championship side.
For mahrez, there was widespread forgiveness after his 10-day absence in the wake of manchester City’s failed January transfer bids. He was booed by a minority of fans but cheered by most and responded with some classy moments.
after a cagey start it was Sheffield United who threatened first, with James Wilson powering down the left flank. He stole a yard on danny Simpson to engineer a shooting chance but his crossshot was held well by Kasper Schmeichel in the Leicester goal.
demarai Gray impressed on the left for Leicester and carved out a shooting chance for Vardy. The striker let fly with a shot from a tight angle that flew inches wide of the far post.
Blades keeper Jamal Blackman then had to push away a longrange Wilfred Ndidi shot as Leicester upped the pressure. yet the visitors could have snatched the lead 13 minutes from half-time. a right-wing cross bounced dangerously around the Leicester box and dropped for enda Stevens, whose shot was blocked superbly by former Blades defender Harry maguire. But the hosts were soon back on the front foot with mahrez producing a superb pass to send Vardy racing clear. it took a smart, low stop from Blackman to keep the england striker at bay.
mahrez’s most telling contribution came as he laid on the goal for Vardy. His cross from the right travelled beyond the far post and Vardy peeled away to guide a header over Blackman.
Blackman then made a smart diving save to prevent Gray doubling the lead with a curling shot.
But moments later it could have been 1-1 as Schmeichel made a superb, low save to keep out a shot from George Baldock. LEICESTER CITY (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel 6; Simpson 6, Morgan 6, Maguire 7, Chilwell 6.5; Ndidi 7, Iborra 6; Mahrez 6.5 (James 90), Iheanacho 6, GRAY 7.5; Vardy 6 (Albrighton 84). Subs not used: Hamer, Adrien Silva, Dragovic, Fuchs, Diabate. Scorer: Vardy 66. Booked: None. Manager: Claude Puel 7. SHEFFIELD UNITED (3-5-2): Blackman 7; Basham 6.5, Wright 6 (Evans 76, 6), O’Connell 6; Baldock 6, Lafferty 6, Carruthers 6 (Duffy 76, 6), Lundstram 6.5, Stevens 7; Wilson 6 (Brooks 45, 6), Donaldson 6. Subs not used: Sharp, Stearman, Heneghan, Eastwood, C Evans. Booked: None. Manager: Chris Wilder 6. Referee: Lee Mason 6. Attendance: 28,336.