An extra-time winner from Pedro Rodriguez sent Leicester City out of the FA Cup in heartbreaking fashion. Here’s what we learned from the Foxes’ 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at the King Power Stadium:
Leicester City only have themselves to blame
When Leicester City will look back at that game, they’d find it hard to believe that they didn’t progress to the semi-final. Chelsea were miles off the level we know they can operate at, and the home side were far-far better for larger periods in the game, doing more than enough to win it.
However, it was Antonio Conte’s side that emerged on top when it mattered the most, making the most of the limited chances they created in what was a below-par display. Leicester, meanwhile, were wasteful, as they have been in a lot of games. This is the difference between a top, top team and a team that aspires to be in that category.
Regardless, Claude Puel and co. must accept it as a lesson and look to work on their shortcomings.
Kelechi Iheanacho fails to make the most of his chance again
It was an evening to forget for Kelechi Iheanacho, who yet again disappointed when handed a start by Claude Puel. The Nigerian had a frighteningly good few minutes against West Bromwich Albion, scoring one and assisting another, but today, he looked out of sorts and touch.
Although it would be slightly unfair to blame him for Chelsea’s opener, it cant’t be ignored that it was his poor pass that gifted the Blues the chance to break, as Willian and Alvaro Morata combined to score a fairly good counter-attack goal at the King Power Stadium.
Maybe, the supporting striker’s role just doesn’t suit him, especially against bigger teams, so Puel should stop trying to make it work, at least in games of such importance.
Jamie Vardy: The man for the big game
There’s hardly anyone in England who loves a big game as much as Jamie Vardy does. The 31-year old may have had an ordinary game by his own standards, but he did make up for it by being at the right place at the right time, even if to no real avail as far as the result goes.
As Leicester searched for an equaliser, it was Vardy who, after some scramble in the Chelsea’s box, fired it into the goal from two yards to bring his side on level terms. It was Vardy’s 26th goal against a side from the current top six in the Premier League since Leicester’s promotion to the top tier of English football in 2014/15.
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The England international has scored a total of 62 goals across all competitions during this time.