Leicester City put their recent struggles in the Championship behind them as they advanced to the F.A Cup quarter-finals for the first time since the 2020/21 season, clinching a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Premier League side Bournemouth in extra time thanks to Abdul Fatawu’s decisive strike.
Enzo Maresca, keen on making a statement in the competition, fielded a heavily altered lineup, introducing nine fresh faces after two consecutive league defeats. Despite the changes, the Foxes still boasted players with F.A Cup experience, with three members of the 2021-winning squad featuring in this match.
The game saw its first significant opportunity when Getafe loanee Enes Ünal, making his first start for Bournemouth, had his shot cleared off the line by Hamza Choudhury after connecting with Luis Sinisterra’s pass. Leicester’s Yunus Akgün then missed a chance with a header from a precise Marc Albrighton delivery.
Albrighton himself came close to breaking the deadlock just before halftime with a powerful strike from distance that struck the post. Both teams made changes at halftime in search of a breakthrough, with Marcos Senesi’s cross hitting the woodwork early in the second half.
As the game progressed, both sides pressed for a winner, with Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez denied by an inspired Jakub Stolarczyk. With extra time looming and neither team able to find the net, Fatawu’s sublime curling effort secured victory for Leicester, marking their first win at the Vitality Stadium in seven attempts.
Maresca will be hopeful that this win provides momentum for further success in the Cup and reignites their form in the league. Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola will shift focus to ensuring his team’s Premier League survival, with the south-coast side currently eight points clear of relegation with 12 games remaining.
Source: ghmediahub
