Kelechi Iheanacho scored the only goal of the game as Leicester produced one of the narrow football scores of the weekend in the FA Cup. The 2021 winners avoided a dramatic upset at the expense of the team wallowing at the bottom of the English Football League as forward Iheanacho scored his 16th goal in the campaign. At MEMS Priestfield, Gillingham, watched by new owner Brad Galinson, put aside their dismal league season to give Premier League competition a stiff test, but they never truly seemed like pulling off a surprise. For Neil Harris’ opponents, Dom Jefferies came the closest. Gills goalkeeper Jake Turner made a run of outstanding saves to keep the game close for the Foxes.
After three straight top-flight losses, Leicester traveled to Kent prepared to face a struggling squad that was ranked 79 places below them in the football league. Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers made eight changes for the match, and his team dominated a competitive first half but struggled to overcome tenacious opponents in windy conditions. One of the three players kept, Jamie Vardy, was upset after Gills goalkeeper Turner prevented him from scoring in the sixth minute after a superb pass from Marc Albrighton. He was limited to just eight first-half touches.
Later, Iheanacho curled just wide at the other end, and Turner made a quick save to tip over Albrighton’s dipping attempt straight after the break. After 11 minutes of the second stanza, Gillingham’s defense finally gave way. Kasey McAteer deflected Youri Tielemans’ right-side ball back across the goal, and after a touch from Vardy, the unmarked Iheanacho slammed in just his second goal of the year.
Vardy nearly extended the advantage for the visitors after racing through, but Turner’s strong hand deflected the ball around his left post. Iheanacho and Vardy each missed chances to combine as Leicester had many opportunities to secure progression. The Foxes persevered throughout the extra time to secure a spot in the next round, and they will now quickly switch their focus to Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup quarterfinal at Newcastle.
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