Kelechi Iheanacho scored the only goal of the game to help Leicester produce one of the narrow football scores of the weekend in the FA Cup. The substitute’s deflected goal sealed a 1-0 victory for the visitors, advancing them to the fifth round while saving Youri Tielemans’ face. The captain missed a penalty in the second half before Iheanacho broke the Saddlers’ tenacious defense. Iheanacho has now scored 17 goals in 23 FA Cup outings, including the game-winning goal in the 1-0 third-round victory at Gillingham. Walsall won the first half, but it was a struggle for Leicester, and Michael Flynn’s team never really put Daniel Iversen to the test. Even though Flynn was unable to add another upset to the list, the League Two team may still be proud of their efforts.
In 2019, he eliminated Leicester from the FA Cup while his Newport team also defeated Leeds and Watford, forced Tottenham to a replay, and forced Brighton and Newcastle to a shootout. In 2019, he eliminated Leicester from the FA Cup while his Newport team also defeated Leeds and Watford, forced Tottenham to a replay, and forced Brighton and Newcastle to a shootout. They had assistance from the Foxes, who lacked the unity and focus required for this type of cup match and started James Maddison for the first time since November despite being fully recovered.
Loose passes prevented them from gaining any momentum, and the spirited Saddlers harassed them. Maddison’s booking for dissent highlighted the visitors’ concerns. Walsall had every reason to be pleased with their first-half performance because they committed to the challenges that Leicester were obviously not used to in the top division and won the physical skirmishes. The Foxes did, however, create a few fleeting opportunities, with Patson Daka shooting over after a quick turn and Harvey Barnes misfiring at the far post, but there was little to suggest they would have anything other than a frustrating afternoon under the M6.
In a tense cup match, Leicester’s star players failed to emerge before halftime, leaving the 2021 winners scrambling, Tielemans unable to make an impact, and Barnes cutting a lonely figure on the left. The Foxes failed to produce anything since Walsall wouldn’t let them even an inch, but two minutes after the break, the Saddlers gave the visitors a tremendous opportunity. Joe Low made a poor touch that allowed Daka to slip past Isaac Hutchinson and knock him to the ground in the box. Referee Gavin Ward first offered a free-kick but ultimately decided to award the penalty.
Leicester had the ideal opportunity to seize control of a match that had appeared to be slipping away, but Tielemans’ shoddy penalty shot hit the post. The game immediately picked up steam after Walsall’s quick response, and Leicester eventually found their groove when Andy Williams volleyed over. Goalkeeper Owen Evans was required to stop Barnes, Tielemans, and Daka as the Saddlers suddenly faced being swamped. With 22 minutes left, Leicester took charge and made it count. After a lengthy patient build-up including Timothy Castagne, Nampalys Mendy, and Tielemans, Mendy finally located Iheanacho.
“As always, I’m proud of my guys because they always comply with my requests in 90% of the time,” Walsall manager Michael Flynn said. “We know we won’t have many opportunities to do so while playing a Premier League squad, so when you do, it’s crucial to seize the opportunity. I just wish we had taken one of the chances we generated.”
“Given that Vards will be absent for a few weeks, Kelechi will play more games. Depending on the kind of game we want to play,” Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers said. “He succeeds when he takes his chance. Since I’ve been here, he has had a significant impact on the competition.”
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