Blackburn knocked Leicester out of the FA Cup, successful their 2-1 draw on the King Energy and reaching the quarter-finals for the primary time since 2015.
Tyrhys Dolan and Sammie Szmodics took benefit of horrible protection to upset the 2021 winners, regardless of Kelechi Iheanacho pulling one aim again.
Brendan Rodgers celebrated his 4 years in command of King Energy Stadium on Sunday and the loss marked his two hundredth recreation.
Nobody can dispute the progress of his first two years, which culminated within the first FA Cup triumph within the membership’s historical past, however this season particularly has been a drag.
Two wins of their final 9 Premier League video games have lengthy since halted their momentum away from the relegation zone, however reaching an FA Cup quarter-final would have supplied a pure increase forward of the ultimate run down the road.
As an alternative, the inconsistent loss to Blackburn in a Championship middling is one other nail within the coffin of a season the Foxes would relatively overlook.
Not that Rovers had been unworthy winners. They seized on each mistake – and there have been many – to punish the hosts and stored their composure as Leicester launched a late assault, with Daniel Amartey hitting the put up.
Six adjustments, together with a primary begin for Ricardo Pereira since Could 2022 following his restoration from a damaged Achilles, nonetheless didn’t initially dilute the Foxes’ early high quality and they need to have gone forward after eight minutes.
Dennis Praet confirmed disinterest when offered with area on the fringe of the realm and fed Tete who was refused by Aynsley Pears. The rebound, nonetheless, fell properly for Praet who ought to have finished higher than taking pictures immediately at Pears.
The Rovers keeper then resisted Jamie Vardy’s indirect effort however, to not be outdone, the guests created harmful openings.
That they had been inspired by Leicester’s wastefulness and the Foxes’ failures on the again solely motivated them additional.
Firstly, the slide from Luke Thomas gave Dolan an opportunity earlier than Daniel Iversen needed to be vigilant to forestall Szmodics after the Foxes misplaced possession, though the striker’s ending was poor.
Blackburn had grown within the recreation because the Foxes risk diminished and the haphazard nature of the hosts’ protection was a critical trigger for concern.
Even a routine lengthy ball brought about issues as a missed header from Wout Faes and a misturned header from Amartey allowed Szmodics to attain an unmarked Dolan.
The striker was simply eight yards out with Iversen to beat however the goalkeeper muffled his low shot.
Nonetheless, it was solely a short reprieve when one other error was lastly penalized by Dolan after 33 minutes.
Amartey’s try to play was reckless and misguided as his move was lower off by the striker, who arrowed in direction of aim and beat Iversen from the sting of the field.
If Leicester had been negligent earlier than the break, their protection turned calamitous instantly afterwards they usually fell behind once more seven minutes into the second half.
Blackburn rejoice after scoring in opposition to Leicester on the King Energy Stadium
Solely Ryan Hedges’ wasteful ending had prevented Rovers from doubling their lead when Boubakary Soumare was robbed on the sting of his personal field however, as earlier than, Leicester disregarded the warning.
Minutes later, Sam Gallagher’s strong deal with on Thomas noticed the striker gallop from the midway line to search out Szmodics on the sting of the field.
He nonetheless had quite a bit to do, however he fought his well past Amartey and Pereira and his mild shot rolled gently into the nook.
One other save from Iversen prevented Szmodics from making it 3-0 shortly after with Leicester collapsing.
Rovers had been extra assured, extra decided, however out of the blue Foxes fended off a aim 23 minutes from time.
Harvey Barnes discovered area for the primary time and pulled out for Iheanacho to attain his now customary FA Cup aim from shut vary.
Pears additionally denied the striker with time operating out and Amartey’s header hit the put up in stoppage time.
And after?
Saturday March 4 5:00 p.m.
Kick off 5:30 p.m.
Saturday March 4 12:00 p.m.
Kick off 12:30 p.m.
Leicester go to Southampton within the Premier League, stay on Saturday night time soccer; kick off at 5:30 p.m. Within the meantime, Blackburn are again in league motion after they host Sheffield United on Saturday at 12.30pm, stay on Sky Sports activities Soccer.
#Leicester #Blackburn