Schmeichel Excels In Shootout As Foxes Advance In Carabao Cup
In a sign of real intent, manager Brendan Rodgers made just two changes to the side that beat Sheffield United in the Premier League just four days earlier, as Harvey Barnes and Wes Morgan made their first starts of the campaign.
The Foxes were unfortunate not to take the lead inside the opening 20 seconds, as former Newcastle United attacker Ayoze Pérez saw his close-range effort blocked in the box after a positive start.
A hard-fought encounter saw City dominate in possession during the opening period, but Newcastle continued to frustrate their opponents with a well-organised midfield and defence.
On 34 minutes, however, Rodgers’ side took the lead through a stroke of luck. James Maddison’s 25-yard free-kick deflected off the Newcastle wall, giving Karl Darlow no chance.
The hosts were much improved after the interval and levelled matters on 53 minutes, with Japan international Yoshinori Muto pouncing on a loose ball to make it 1-1.
Opportunities for City followed, with Pérez seeing an effort deflect into the side-netting, and Barnes just inches away from latching onto Jamie Vardy’s trapped pass.
Schmeichel, before his shootout exploits, had to be on hand to deny Jonjo Shelvey from distance, while another Pérez strike, this time in injury time, curled just over the bar.
While City were unable to settle the tie in 90 minutes, Christian Fuchs, Maddison – the scorer of a Panenka penalty – Youri Tielemans and Vardy were on target from 12 yards, while crucial saves from Schmeichel to deny Shelvey and Isaac Hayden sent his side through to the third round.
Major moment
City were in control for large periods of the game, enjoying 68 per cent possession and making over double the number of passes compared to Newcastle.
However, James Maddison’s deflected free-kick was cancelled out by Yoshinori Muto, and the encounter headed to penalties.
It was Kasper Schmeichel who prevailed, as he saved from Magpies skipper Jonjo Shelvey and then Isaac Hayden to give Jamie Vardy to chance to score the winning penalty.
The Foxes No.9, as the Blue Army have come to expect, was calm under pressure as he won it for his side.
Who impressed?
Gerry Taggart told LCFC Radio at full-time: “Credit that man Kasper Schmeichel. He made two fantastic saves in the penalty shootout, and that’s why we march into the third round.
“You have to give Man of the Match to Kasper. It was really down to the penalty shootout in which Kasper Schmeichel showed his class.
"They were two good saves, not easy saves. He committed early and guessed the right way to make those two crucial saves from penalties that weren’t actually bad ones.”
Where do we stand?
Brendan Rodgers’ men have set up a third round tie with Luton Town at Kenilworth Road, with the fixture set to take place the week commencing Monday 23 September.
A time and date for the match, including ticket details, will be confirmed on LCFC.com in due course.
Coming up…
City’s final match before the first international break of the 2019/20 campaign sees them entertain Eddie Howe’s AFC Bournemouth at King Power Stadium on Saturday 31 August (3pm BST kick-off).
The Blue Army can listen to the fixture for free on LCFC Radio, starting with the Pre-Match Pint from 12pm BST.