Pereira lifts Leicester’s cloud with smart header

Just when Leicester’s recent frustration was threatening to continue, Ricardo Pereira chose the opportune moment to score with a rare header.

Eight minutes from time the Portuguese right-back produced a deft header from six yards. Marc Albrighton hooked in a cross from the right which Pereira nodded into the corner. It was a late goal which secured Leicester a home tie against Chelsea in the quarter-finals.

Brendan Rodgers, Leicester’s manager, said: “The cup competitions are very important to us and we aim to go as far as we can. We’ve also reached the semi-finals in the Carabao Cup this season so we are taking them very seriously.

“When it gets to the quarter-final stage, you always want to get a home tie. This was always going to be a tough game against Birmingham and I’m delighted with how we stuck at it.”

It was not until the 39th minute that Leicester tested Lee Camp for the first time, with the Birmingham goalkeeper pushing aside James Maddison’s angled shot.

Maddison slammed a free-kick into the side netting and then produced a left-footed drive from 20 yards which took a deflection to strike the top of the crossbar.

Leicester were camped inside the Birmingham half and their pressure was finally rewarded eight minutes from time when Pereira flicked in Albrighton’s cross.

Birmingham did respond late on, with striker Lukas Jutkiewicz slicing a shot over the bar before Ben Chilwell blocked a volley from Harlee Dean.

Pep Clotet, Birmingham’s manager, said: “It’s a massive disappointment to all of us, especially the players. We deserved extra time with the effort we put in and how smart everyone played.”