AMOND SINKS FOXES
NEWPORT COUNTY SEAL CUP SHOCK AFTER LEICESTER BOSS MAKES CHANGES FOR CUP AGAIN
Newport delivered a huge FA Cup shock at a rocking Rodney Parade to beat Leicester City 2-1 and pile the pressure on Foxes manager Claude Puel.
County bridged a gap of 74 places on the league ladder after Jamille Matt’s early header was cancelled out eight minutes from time, Rachid Ghezzal’s thunderous leveller having seemingly spared the Premier League visitors.
But three minutes later Marc Albrighton handled Vashon Neufville’s cross on the corner of the box and former Hartlepool United striker Padraig Amond stroked home the resulting penalty.
It was no less than Newport, 12th in Sky Bet League Two and with only one win in all competitions since the end of November, deserved and rekindled memories of their cup heroics from last season.
On those occasions Leeds were beaten and Tottenham held at home before Michael Flynn’s side bowed out of the competition in a Wembley replay.
Leicester had been warned but Puel, who was sharply criticised for naming a weakened side when the Foxes suffered a Carabao Cup exit to makeshift Manchester City opponents last month, still chose to make seven changes from the New Year’s Day win at Everton.
England internationals Jamie Vardy, Harry Maguire and Ben Chilwell were among the absentees, and Puel can expect more brickbats to come his way on the back of Leicester losing their last chance for silverware this season.
“I think we had enough quality on the pitch to qualify, I don’t want to look for excuses about this,” said Puel.
“I think we lost together, we are all together disappointed and frustrated after this game, because it was an objective for us.
“This competition was important.
“We had a lot of chances in the first half, second half sometimes without the clinical edge, sometimes unlucky,” Puel said.
“We did the most difficult thing to come back into the game with a goal from Rachid.
“Of course it’s harsh to concede this penalty just at the end. It’s tough.
“A lot of disappointment and frustration, but it’s a cup game and we didn’t find the solution to score more goals.”
This was the first time the Welsh side had beaten topflight opposition in the FA Cup since downing Sheffield Wednesday in 1964.
“How they can raise these levels is amazing,” manager Michael Flynn said of players who have not won a league game since the end of November.
“It has to be up there with the best win in our history.
“The second half I felt quite comfortable.
“But once they got back to 1-1 you do worry, can you hang on?
“I said ‘let’s go for it’ and we went and got that penalty.
“I’ve got so much respect for these players.”