Iheanacho Saves Leicester Blushes to Reach Fourth Round
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Super Eagles forward, Kel- echi Iheanacho, on Saturday H[WHQGHGKLVÀQH English FA Cup UHFRUG E\ ÀULQJ Leicester into the fourth round with the second-half winner in a 1-0 victory at Sky Bet League Two strugglers Gillingham.
On the day that League One 6KHHOG:HGQHVGD\SXOOHGRͿ a memorable FACup shock as they knocked out the Premier League’s third-placed side Newcastle United 2-1 , the 2021 champions Leicester have the Nigerian forward to thank for the winner.
The goal was Iheanacho’s 16th career strike in the com- petition to save Leicester another major upset. Barely 16 minutes after returning
IURP D EDUUHQ ÀUVW KDOI EUHDN Iheanacho curled narrowly wide beyond the reach of Gillingham’s goalkeeper, Jake Turner, to put smiles on the faces of Foxes massive supporters in the stand.
Gillingham, watched by new owner, Brad Galinson, set aside their miserable league campaign to provide a stern test for Premier League opposiWLRQ DW 0(06 3ULHVWÀHOG EXW never really looked like pulling RͿ D VKRFN
'RP -HͿHULHV ZHQW FORVHVW for Neil Harris’ hosts, while goalkeeper Turner ensured a QHUY\ ÀQLVK IRU WKH )R[HV ZLWK a string of impressive saves to keep the game in the balance.
Leicester arrived in Kent on the back of three successive WRS ÁLJKW GHIHDWV UHDG\ WR take on a beleaguered team VLWWLQJ SODFHV EHORZ WKHP in the football pyramid.
Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers made eight changes for the tie and watched his side dominate a tight opening period but struggletobreakdowndogged hosts in blustery conditions.
Jamie Vardy, one of the three men retained, was restricted WR MXVW HLJKW ÀUVW KDOI WRXFKHV and left frustrated after being denied a sixth-minute opener by Gills keeper Turner folORZLQJ D ÀQH SDVV IURP 0DUF Albrighton.