Foxes Into Fourth Round After Iheanacho Double
Claude Puel handed winger Riyad Mahrez the captain’s armband for the third round replay, while Adrien Silva and Eldin Jakupović made their full home debuts.
It was Silva who had the first attempt on goal, as he curled wide from the edge of the box midway through the opening 45 minutes, while Jakupović was on hand shortly after to deny former Everton man Conor McAleny with a good stop.
The lively Mahrez then struck Chris Neal’s right-hand post on 33 minutes, before Jakupović pulled off another save four minutes later, tipping Kyle Dempsey’s 20-yard strike over the crossbar.
It proved to be an important stop, too, as Iheanacho broke the deadlock two minutes before the break. Islam Slimani lifted an excellent pass into the path of the striker, who side-footed the ball through Neal’s legs.
In the second half, Slimani was unfortunate to not double his side’s advantage after having a volley saved early on, while Vicente Iborra headed over at the front post on 64 minutes as the Foxes went in search of a second goal.
It arrived in historic fashion with 13 minutes to play. Iheanacho, who had earlier had a goal chalked off after the ball had gone out of play before Demarai Gray’s delivery, turned home Mahrez’s pass, but the striker was flagged offside.
However, after referee Jonathan Moss consulted Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, Iheanacho’s goal stood as replays confirmed he was in fact onside – his double sending City into the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Major moment
Having already had a goal disallowed after the break, Kelechi Iheanacho continued to go in search of his second strike of the game.
His lovely lofted finish was initially ruled out for offside, but after the referee made use of the VAR system, Iheanacho was awarded his goal.
Who impressed?
Determined from the off, Kelechi Iheanacho thoroughly deserved his brace against Fleetwood Town on Tuesday evening.
The Nigeria international striker added to his goal against Leeds United in the Carabao Cup to take his tally to three for City this term and his performance will no doubt have pleased manager Claude Puel.
Where do we stand?
After beating Fleetwood Town, the Foxes will now face Peterborough United at the ABAX Stadium on Saturday 27 January (12:30pm kick-off).
Coming up…
City return to Premier League action on Saturday, when Watford visit King Power Stadium (3pm kick-off).