Leicester Edge Brentford in Thrilling FA Cup Encounter

Kelechi Iheanacho produced a third minute winner as Leicester edged Brentford in a tight encounter as Griffin Park hosted its last-ever FA Cup match. 

Iheanacho tapped in a clinical cross provided by James Justin from the right, as Leicester edged their way past Brentford to book their place in the last 16 of this season’s FA Cup.

Brentford meanwhile saw a late volley goal from Bryan Mbeumo ruled offside in what proved to be their last Cup match played at Griffin Park, ahead of their move to the Brentford Community Stadium this summer.

Leicester made an electric start as Ayoze Perez found himself on goal after just 26 seconds thanks to a Kelechi Iheanacho pass, only for Luka Racic to clear.

Marc Albrighton then had a shot saved before Denis Praet’s third-minute long ball found James Justin, who crossed back into the box for Iheanacho to tap in the only goal of this match.

Leicester were soon creating more chances but their closest effort came from Iheanacho in the 15th minute, as he cut in from the left with a high chip which flew over the top right-hand corner. 

Brentford meanwhile slowly grew into the first-half with Dominic Thompson producing their best chance, cutting in from the left with a shot destined for bottom right corner but Danny Ward deflected it wide. 

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Emiliano Marcondes saw a headed effort saved by Ward shortly before half-time, as the Bees flew out of the traps in the second half but failed to create any real chances of note.

Leicester soon went close through James Justin when he picked up Perez’s pass deflected via  Gray but his cross to Iheanacho was saved by Luke Daniels in their best effort of the second half.

Brentford then asserted their authority with several chances, as Jan Zamburek’s 62nd minute shot towards bottom right corner was deflected by Marcondes onto post and cleared by Christian Fuchs for a corner.

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Racic saw his 82nd minute volley flicked over by Ward just ten minutes from time, with the resulting corner cleared briefly before Mbeumo volleyed in an equaliser which was swiftly ruled offside. 

That offside goal would prove to be the closest chance that Brentford came to rescuing a replay, as Leicester clung on for the win and a place in the Fifth Round. 

Speaking to BBC’s Match Of The Day post match, match winner – Iheanacho said; “We are happy to get the win today and go to the next round. There was a lot of pressure from them. 

It is very  important as a team and as a group of players. We worked really hard to the end and stood our ground. I was a bit nervous [subbed midway through second half] because they kept coming. We defended well and in the end we got the win and are through. 

 

What’s next?

Leicester City visit Aston Villa on Tuesday in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final. Brentford meanwhile host promotion rivals, Nottingham Forest in the Championship that same evening.