Ranieri: We Reacted Immediately

- Manager Claudio Ranieri praised his team's reaction to going behind as Ahmed Musa bagged a brace after Romelu Lukaku’s opener 

- Wilfred Ndidi and Bartosz Kapustka both made their Leicester City debuts on an impressive afternoon for the team 

- The Foxes go into the hat for the fourth round draw, which takes place at 7:10m on Monday night 

Claudio Ranieri was thrilled after Ahmed Musa’s quickfire brace saw them secure a brilliant 2-1 Emirates FA Cup victory over Everton at Goodison Park and book their spot in Monday’s fourth round draw. 

After a tight first half tussle that ended goalless, Romelu Lukaku converted a cross from close range just after the hour mark to get Everton’s noses in front, but substitute Musa scored twice in the space of four second half minutes to give City the victory. 

His first showed great tenacity as he hit the post before following up to bundle the ball over the line while his second was an exquisite finish following an incisive one-two with Danny Drinkwater – sending the 3,000 travelling Foxes wild with celebration. 

It was that reaction that pleased Ranieri most, against a tough Everton side who had beaten the Foxes 2-0 at King Power Stadium as recently as Boxing Day in the Premier League. 

“I’m very pleased with our performance,” Ranieri said at full-time. “We wanted to win and we wanted to go through in the FA Cup, which is an important competition. 

“Then [we wanted to go through] even more because we lost to Everton at home, so we wanted revenge. It was a good match because of course at the beginning Everton pushed a lot and wanted to score a goal, but I’m very pleased with our performance before and after the goal. 

“When we conceded a goal, everybody wanted to react immediately. After there were chances for them and us, but it was a very good performance.” 

Winger Bartosz Kapustka made his debut as a second half substitute while new signing Wilfred Ndidi played from the start – putting in an outstanding display in a midfield three alongside Papy Mendy and Drinkwater. 

The manager was delighted with the 20-year-old, added: “Ndidi trained just two training sessions with us but played with fantastic personality. He recovered a lot of balls and played well. For 20 years old to make his first game against Everton, it’s unbelievable.” 

Chelsea are next up for the Foxes at King Power Stadium and with a string of impressive displays behind them, Ranieri is hopeful that his team can continue to build. 

“It’s (the win) important if we need a result against Chelsea because there is a good momentum,” he explained. “We won against West Ham, we drew against Middlesbrough and we won here. It’s good.”