Shakespeare Delighted With Ruthless Foxes

- Leicester City advance to the Carabao Cup Third Round with a 4-1 win away to Sheffield United
- Demarai Gray, Islam Slimani (2) and Ahmed Musa score in a clinical second half from City
- Craig Shakespeare hailed the ruthless performance from his team, which included eight changes from the weekend
- Papy Mendy came on in the second half while Academy graduate Josh Knight made his debut

After a goalless first 45 minutes, the Foxes went through the gears after the break to power away from their Championship opponents at Bramall Lane, with Demarai Gray and Ahmed Musa scoring either side of an Islam Slimani double.

It was a fine individual goal from Gray that opened the scoring shortly after the break before he and Andy King each set up a goal for Slimani to put City 3-0 ahead. Caolan Lavery’s cross crept in to the top corner to give the hosts hope, but Ahmed Musa confirmed the victory with a stoppage time goal to book a deserved place in the third round for the Foxes

Afterwards, Shakespeare revealed that the team had discussed showing a more clinical nature in the box after a first half that saw them create chances without putting Blades ‘keeper Jake Eastwood under too much pressure.

“We spoke at half time about being more ruthless," Shakespeare told LCFC TV. "We had some chances in the first half where we weren’t ruthless enough. We’ve had Demarai Gray who is one of our best one-on-one players, taking people on. He was very calm and produced an excellent finish.

"Then Islam Slimani popped up with two goals and I was pleased for Ahmed Musa at the end because he kept going and kept plugging away. His persistence paid off. It was important that we went through, and we did.”

Shakespeare made eight changes to his team for the fixture and was delighted with the application he saw as some impressive performances underlined the fantastic competition within the City squad ahead of the weekend’s trip to Old Trafford against Manchester United.

He added: “It’s pleasing. In the second half we stepped on the front foot a bit more with some clinical finishing and managed to give the lads who hadn’t had a game some game time, which was vitally important.

“I also felt that the players who hadn’t played needed some game time. That was important and that’s why I made so many changes. To go through in the way that we did and score the goals that we did was very pleasing.”

Academy graduate Josh Knight came on as a second half substitute for his professional debut while midfielder Papy Mendy also came off the bench on his return to action from injury – both changes proving very satisfying for the manager.

Shakespeare added: “Papy has had a tough year so to give him a bit of time at the end was pleasing. Josh Knight came on and it’s always nice to bring on Academy players. Hopefully that gives him the confidence to kick on and push for a place.”