Foxes face Chelsea in Wembley showpiece

LEICESTER are through to their first FA Cup Final since 1969 after Kelechi Iheanacho edged Brendan Rodgers’ side past Southampton on a night when thousands of spectators returned to Wembley.

After Chelsea overcame Manchester City in front of empty stands on Saturday, the following evening saw 4,000 local residents, including key workers, make up England’s biggest crowd for 13 months.

A number of Leicester and Southampton fans were among those at yesterday’s semi-final, with in-form Iheanacho settling the tie by slotting home early in the second half to seal a 1-0 victory under the arch.

There is expected to be 21,000 in attendance – including far more supporters – when the Foxes return to Wembley on May 15 to take on Chelsea looking to win their firstever FA Cup.

Hopefully the showpiece will be more exciting than the drab semi-final.

At least yesterday’s tie was memorable for the return of spectators, with Leicester edging a cagey first half and then landing a 55th-minute gut punch just as Saints looked to be waking up.

Jamie Vardy, who wasted the best chance of the opening period, got free down the left and crossed for in-form Iheanacho, whose poor first effort kindly deflected back to him and he slotted home.

Saints launched a meek response for a leveller as they quickly ran out of ideas and energy, with their dreams of replicating their 1976 triumph ending as Leicester’s bid to make history continues.

Meanwhile, Hakim Ziyech is looking forward to a special end to the season after Chelsea completed a “perfect week” by beating Pep Guardiola’s side to reach the final.

Thomas Tuchel has enjoyed a fine start to life at Stamford Bridge since replacing Frank Lampard as boss in January, putting the Blues within touching distance of a top-four finish that had looked in jeopardy.

Furthermore, Chelsea are fighting for silverware on two fronts after sealing a Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid by overcoming Porto and then reaching a fourth FA Cup Final in five years.

Ziyech secured a 1-0 Wembley win as the west Londoners ended City’s quadruple quest on Saturday evening, leaving last summer’s arrival from Ajax excited about what this group can achieve.

“It was a perfect week and we can enjoy that,” the Morocco international said.

“Now it’s a special end to the season if you see what we are still playing for.

“All the ways are open and everybody is excited about it and we cannot wait to play those games.”