KEL’S A CUP KING
KELECHI IHEANACHO ensured his Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers could enjoy his 50th birthday bash with a timely goal after coming off the substitutes’ bench. If Rodgers felt relief at overcoming their resilient League Two opponents, whose manager Michael Flynn has cup upsets in his DNA, it was nothing compared to Youri Tielemans.
A missed penalty by Tielemans, whose wonder goal atwembley won the FA Cup two years ago, led to some nervy moments for the top-flight side.
Flynn, who claimed Leicester’s cup scalp as Newport County boss, sensed another upset. But Iheanacho was summoned off the bench and within six minutes added to his incredible FA Cup record – it’s now 17 goals in 23 appearances in the famous competition.
As Leicester began to turn the screw on 68 minutes, Nampalys Mendy found Iheanacho lurking on the edge of the area.a quick turn and strike saw the ball loop over keeper Owen Evans via a deflection off the unfortunate
Isaac Hutchinson’s backside.
Evans made some excellent saves – the best an agile double-stop to foil Tielemans and Patson Daka. But Flynn’s side had their moments as Andy Williams twice went close.
James Maddison had an eventful first start since the World Cup. Needing treatment after a collision involving Robbie Willmott, the midfielder was booked for his complaints.
Maddison became increasingly frustrated and was baited remorselessly by Walsall’s fans.
Rodgers welcomed the physical buffeting the England star received and said: “That only normally happens to top players.
“He is a top player. I thought he came into the game with a real fire in his belly to perform.”
Assistant referee Bhupinder Singh Gill didn’t endear himself to the Saddlers supporters just after the break, advising ref Gavinward to award a penalty instead of a free-kick on the edge of the box after Daka was tripped by Hutchinson.tielemans fluffed his lines, firing against the post, then at the other endwilliams was just inches away with a first-time strike which flew over.
Rodgers also saluted match-winner Iheanacho. “He can always make an impact for us off the bench,” he said. “He has made a great impact in the competition since I’ve been here.”
An upbeat Flynn said: “Brendan
Rodgers said some kind, amazing words to us after the game.that instantly made me feel better.”
WALSALL: Evans 7; White 7, Daniels 7, Low 7, Gordon 7; Willmott 6 (Maher 80), Comley 6 (James-taylor 78), Maddox 6 (Allen 78); Hutchinson 7 (Songo’o 62, 6), Knowles 7; Williams 7 (Wilkinson 62, 6) LEICESTER: Iversen 6; Castagne 7, Amartey 6, Faes 6, Thomas 6 (Kristiansen 62, 6); Tielemans 7, Mendy 6, Dewsbury-hall 6; Maddison 6 (Praet 62, 6), Barnes 6, Daka 6 (Iheanacho 62, 7)
OWEN EVANS – Made some big saves as his side gave the Premier League Foxes a scare
G Ward 10,297