Gray double sees Leicester sail through
Leicester, a side with lofty ambitions again under Brendan Rodgers, won 4-0 at Luton to ease into the fourth round of a competition in which they are realistic contenders.
Rodgers made seven changes from the side who beat Tottenham to go third in the Premier League last weekend but still found room for more than £90million worth of summer acquisitions. Given that manager Graeme Jones made 10 changes, a Luton team still acclimatising in the Championship after successive promotions proved something of a mismatch.
Ayoze Perez, Youri Tielemans and Dennis Praet were the big-money signings on display, although the spotlight was taken by James Justin, an England Under-21 defender who moved from Luton to Leicester for around £6 million and marked his debut with a goal against his former club.
Leicester had gone ahead in the first-half through Demarai Gray, who finished off what looked like a well-rehearsed routine after Perez had helped on a near-post corner from Marc Albrighton.
Justin had his moment just before the break when he arrived in just the right place to drive home a Tielemans cross on the half-volley to generous applause. Luton fought gamely, but mainly in their own half, not managing a shot until the 68th minute, when substitute Izzy Brown drew a decent save from Danny Ward. Leicester added further goals through Tielemans and substitute Kelechi Iheanacho.
“As soon as I knew the draw I had this match in my mind,” Justin said. “It was the debut I wanted and to be applauded by the Luton fans after I had scored against them was amazing. I just want them to know how much I appreciate everything they did for me.” Watford battled to a 2-1 home success against Swansea. Danny Welbeck and Roberto Pereyra netted for the hosts, Sam Surridge scoring for Swansea.