LCFC Women Valiant In Man City Defeat
The Foxes made six changes to the side which drew 2-2 at Sheffield United a fortnight prior, largely in response to competition rules stating only six new signings could appear.
Man City - a league above Leicester in the Women's Super League - named a starting XI littered with internationals, including a healthy contingent of England stars, for the encounter in Quorn.
Leicester’s No.1 goalkeeper Demi Lambourne had to be on her toes when Lionesses star Georgia Stanway broke free, but the home shot-stopper did well to get a leg to it.
At the other end, Charlie Devlin looked to create an opening for the home side, crossing for Esmee De Graaf. The Dutch midfielder, though, couldn’t rise high enough to meet it in the area.
England duo Jill Scott and Ellen White also forced saves from Lambourne, before Stanway’s header came back off the bar as Man City began to assert some dominance on the tie.
The holders were ahead after the half-hour mark when Caroline Weir was felled in the area, allowing Chloe Kelly to step up and convert a powerful spot-kick from 12 yards, despite Lambourne's best efforts.
Leicester were unfortunate not to level matters almost immediately, though, as Devlin, Millie Farrow and then Remi Allen went for goal, with the latter forcing Karima Taieb into tipping it over.
Just before the break, however, White’s nodded header fell nicely for Stanway - capped 19 times for England - to do the rest, making it two for Man City with an excellent lob into the far corner.
Kelly continued to be a threat in the second half, too, with Lambourne doing well to get a hand to her low drive on 54 minutes, but the Foxes remained in the tie and looked composed.
Ashleigh Plumptre - making a first start of the season - was unlucky to nod Sophie Barker's corner wide and, when Farrow was brought down in the area, Devlin stepped up to take a late spot-kick.
Leicester's No.7 buried her effort into the roof of the net, giving Taieb no chance in Man City's goal, but the experienced visitors were able to do just enough to secure their place in the last four.
Major moment
Seconds after going a goal behind, the Foxes advanced in an attempt to catch Man City out with a quick-fire equaliser as they swarmed the penalty area with bodies.
Charlie Devlin and Millie Farrow both had attempts blocked in the area, before Remi Allen took matters into her own hands, but was denied by Karima Taieb in the Man City goal.
Had that opportunity beat Taieb in the visitors' net, Leicester would have fancied their chances of going in at the interval on level terms, changing the complexion of the tie.
Who impressed?
Remi Allen arrived at the Club with Women’s Super League experience this summer and the former Reading midfielder needed that expertise in her battle with England’s Jill Scott in the middle.
The experienced 29-year-old, who in fact started her career at Leicester, stood up to the challenge in midfield, regularly frustrating the illustrious visitors in Quorn.
Where does it leave us?
The Foxes exit the competition at the last-eight stage having been the only second tier side to reach the quarter-finals of the Women’s FA Cup.
Coming up…
It’s back to FA Women’s Championship duties for Leicester next Sunday as Durham visit Farley Way Stadium for a 2pm BST kick-off in Quorn.