Brendan Rodgers means business with Leicester City this season, also in the Carabao Cup. Not as in previous years fielding the 2nd strings, maybe also to do with the opponent in this game. Newcastle is Premier League, so to play a strong side was vital.
Leicester had the chances and possession in the first half, and it was driven forward by James Maddison who again had a great game. The goal came after 34 minutes. A good stike from a free kick found the net.
Newcastle had a goal disallowed after 25 minutes, so they were not totally soft during the first 45 minutes.
The Leicester goal was a bit lucky to be honest, deflected from the Newcastle wall, but all in all, luck is just “people talk”, as the ball hits hard and the wall isn’t organized good enough to keep the ball away, a goal is a goal.
Leicester had the ball the most, but Newcastle defended well and kept themselves good organized and never let as much through as you would have liked. Leicester were 1-0 up at half time, and it was a game that we all thought was “in box”.
Second half was a bit of a surprise as Newcastle came out as a totally different team, trying more and really pushing Leicester backwards. Hamza Choudhury was replaced with Dennis Praet, who has a bit of a road to get into the Premier League tempo of things.
Hamza left the field probably due to his yellow card and not taking any risks of a red. And it was not a surprise when Newcastle equalized in the 53rd minute. Muto was the goalscorer, and it all made it a game going into extra time and penalties in the end.
Leicester scored four in the penalty shoot out. Harvey Barnes was the unlucky, Fuchs, Maddison, Tielemans and Vardy all converted, with Kasper Schmeichel saving two Newcastle shots, Jamie Vardy’s 5th shot of the night sends Leicester through to the next round.
Leicester will face Luton in the next round, going to Kenilworth Road, and it will be a fixture that surely should be possible to win. Rodgers needs to field a strong team in that one as well, and he is going for “something” this season.
A difficult hurdle is passed, and Newcastle could have been a final or a semi-final, now they are gone, good attitude and the vitality to get the result all were looking for when going up to St. James Park.
The penalties were taken by Fuchs, Barnes, Tielemans and Maddison, and as we know all converted, besides Harvey Barnes, who we earlier mentioned as the one missing his target.
No live video or tv coverage from this game, listening to LCFC radio is a bit of a charm, hearing the voices of our to EFL Cup winners, Gerry Taggart and Matt Elliott, they are a granitt duo, on and off the field.
- Positives:
- Rodgers meaning business with the Carabao Cup
- Line-up made certain to play a Premier League club
- Schmeichel saves vital penalties, he is a winner
- Vardy scoring again and the winner, important
- Negatives:
- Morgan injured
- Missing the momentum in 2nd half
- Barnes missing a penalty
- Player Ratings: Schmeichel 9. Pereira 6, Fuchs 7, Morgan 7, Soyuncu 6, Choudhury 5, Maddison 7, Tielemans 6, Barnes 6, Vardy 6, Perez 6, Subs: Praet, Evans
Match Stats: H/A
- Possession: 32 / 68
- Corners: 2 / 3
- Shots on target: 2 / 1
- Fouls: 10 / 16
- Offsides; 1 / 0
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