Leicester Battle Past Millwall In Carabao Cup
Brendan Rodgers made eight changes from the XI which was defeated at Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Sunday as Ademola Lookman was handed a full debut for the Club. Danny Ward and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also made maiden starts of 2021/22.
Following a minute's applause in honour of former Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United great Jimmy Greaves, who passed away on Sunday, the action got underway amid a raucous atmosphere in south-east London, beneath the skyline of Canary Wharf.
It was a cagey affair for the best part of 15 minutes until Millwall created the first true opening of the clash. A long-throw into the area was nodded on by Jake Cooper, into the path of Ryan Leonard, who fired wide of Ward's far post from around 20 yards out. It got the home faithful on their feet too.
The 'wall of noise' blared around the four corners of the ground moments later as well when Connor Mahoney hit a powerful drive at goal, forcing Ward to parry it, before Çağlar Söyüncü cleared the danger to prevent Tom Bradshaw from getting onto the end of the rebound.
Lions captain Alex Pearce also had a header on goal shortly afterwards, nodded away by Wilfred Ndidi, before Marc Albrighton broke, searching for Youri Tielemans with a raking ball. The Belgium international, though, was denied by George Long in the home side's net.
Elsewhere, Söyüncü was called upon to take the sting out of Bradshaw's low drive, while Dewsbury-Hall powerfully burst out of midfield to cross, but Lions shot-stopper Long was able to watch it sail over his crossbar. Tielemans then won and took a Leicester free-kick, firing narrowly off target.
For the hosts, managed by former Foxes defender Gary Rowett, Thompson also looped a header onto the roof of Ward's net, before the first half came to a close. FA Cup holders Leicester were unchanged at the break and were now shooting towards the visiting Blue Army.
They had something to celebrate on 50 minutes as well as Tielemans inventively played in Kelechi Iheanacho, running through on goal. While the Nigeria international's effort was deflected, it landed straight into the path of Lookman, who slotted the ball into an empty net. A goal on his first start for City.
Millwall looked to for a route back into the contest and they had a decent opportunity when Leonard crossed for Shaun Hutchinson in the six-yard box. The Lions defender, though, couldn't find the target. Patson Daka and Jannik Vestergaard then joined the action for the final 20 minutes.
Mahoney's deliveries had been a concern all evening for the visitors and his free-kick, somehow, evaded everyone in the area, including second-half substitute Benik Afobe, on 76 minutes. Iheanacho's low drive, on the other hand, was blocked by the heel of George Evans.
He was also denied by Long and then George Evans late on, before doubling Leicester's lead by belting an unstoppable finish into the roof of the Millwall net with two minutes of normal time remaining. That was his second goal of 2021/22 after netting the winner in City's FA Community Shield victory last month.
Major moments
After impressing in cameo roles from the bench over previous weeks, loan signing Ademola Lookman was given an opportunity to shine from the off in south-east London. Although stifled for long periods before the interval, Leicester found more space in the second half.
It took just five minutes after the break for Lookman to make his mark, calmly slotting home City's opener, with Millwall goalkeeper George Long out of position due to a deflection on Kelechi Iheanacho's effort. It was a fitting reward for Lookman, who continues to excel on the flanks for the Foxes.
Who impressed?
Former City midfielder Dean Hammond said on LCFC Radio at full-time: "It was a professional performance from Leicester City tonight. I've got to give a special mention to Jonny Evans. I have to give it to Iheanacho. He got a goal and an assist. He was a real threat in that second half."
Where do we stand?
The Foxes will host Brighton & Hove Albion at King Power Stadium in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup during the week commencing 25 October.
Coming up...
Burnley are the visitors to King Power Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday (3pm kick-off), before the Foxes fly out to Poland to tackle Ekstraklasa champions Legia Warsaw at Polish Army Stadium on matchday two of the UEFA Europa League next Thursday (5:45pm kick-off).
All times BST.