Nigerian Players Abroad

FA CUP: Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal decisive as Leicester edge out Gillingham

By Olaleye Oluwadamilola

Posted on January 7, 2023

FA CUP – Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal proved decisive as Leicester edged past League Gillingham all thanks to a second half strike from the Super Eagles striker.

Wit the win against the League Two opposition, the Foxes have now advanced to the FA Cup fourth round.

On the pitch, Gills put in a good account of themselves as they were narrowly edged out of the FA Cup by 2021 winners Leicester in front of a sold-out Priestfield.

Kelechi Iheanacho scored the game’s only goal in the second half for Brendan Rodgers’ under-pressure Foxes.

Jamie Vardy had an early sight of goal – he was thwarted by goalkeeper Jake Turner being quick off his line – but that was their only real chance of the first half.

At the other end, Dom Jefferies made a searing run from midfield and forced a save from Daniel Iversen.

Gills used the elements to their advantage and caused problems for Leicester’s defenders.

Max Ehmer, who was imperious in defence, diverted a long throw goalwards but couldn’t generate the power needed to trouble Iversen.

Leicester started the second half with much more intent, finally giving the travelling Foxes fans – exposed to the wind and rain in a terrace with no roof – something to shout about.

Turner made a decent save to deny Marc Albrighton’s speculative volley from the corner of the box.

But the Foxes finally breached Gills’ defence on 56 minutes, when Iheanacho was first to a loose ball after Kasey McAteer’s deflected shot.

The Nigerian fired into the roof of the net for his 16th FA Cup goal – more than any player since his debut in the competition.

We got to good areas but didn’t finish well,’ added Harris. ‘That’s why we’re bottom.’ He’s right. Their defending and midfield play was great but, when they reached the final third, they seemed to be struck by a mental block.

The arrival of striker Nichols can’t come soon enough.

Iheanacho came close again minutes later, as did Vardy, who turns 36 on Wednesday.

The home crowds’ chants joked about his wife, Rebekah, and laughed at his expense when he shanked a couple of shots wide.

Turner kept Gills in the game but they offered nothing in attack.

“Congratulations to Gillingham because they gave us a really tough game and fought right until the end, said Brendan Rodgers who enjoyed his first visit here since a scouting mission for Reading two decades ago.”