FA Cup 2023 – Leicester 1-2 Blackburn: Tyrhys Dolan and Sammie Szmodics score to send Rovers into last eight

Championship high-fliers Blackburn Rovers induced an FA Cup fifth spherical upset by beautiful Premier League Leicester Metropolis.

Their dynamic show, during which they need to have scored extra objectives, gave them a spot within the final eight for the primary time in eight years.

Having been denied by Daniel Iversen’s flying save, Tyrhys Dolan curled previous Leicester’s Danish goalkeeper for the opener.

Ryan Hedges then missed a gilt-edged alternative to double the visiting facet’s lead in the beginning of the second interval when he didn’t hit the goal from 10 yards out.

It did not show pricey as Sammie Szmodics wriggled clear to transform Rovers’ second within the 52nd minute, whereas the midfielder additionally had a aim dominated out for offside.

Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho pulled one again for the Foxes by slotting in from shut vary, however a uninteresting and dreary evening led to disappointment for Brendan Rodgers’ males.

Dynamic Rovers keep run

This was the primary assembly between the 2 sides since they performed within the Championship 9 years in the past, when the Foxes completed prime of the desk with a tally of 102 factors.

They shocked the footballing world by profitable the Premier League simply two seasons later, in addition to profitable the FA Cup solely two years in the past, however Leicester are a major distance away from these heady heights.

Exiting this competitors means they’ll now think about issues within the league, with the Foxes 4 locations and three factors above the drop zone and pondering the unthinkable of relegation.

The hosts truly began brightly, however early missed alternatives proved deadly. Rovers keeper Aynsley Pears denied Tete’s strike and Dennis Praet’s follow-up, earlier than he then saved out Jamie Vardy’s shot from the angle.

However as soon as Blackburn went forward courtesy of Dolan’s strike from outdoors the realm within the thirty third minute, they showcased a show stuffed with vitality and verve.

They deservedly added a second when the sprightly Szmodics obtained the bounce of the ball and barged his well beyond the Leicester backline earlier than coolly rolling in his end.

Jon Dahl Tomasson’s males ought to have been out of sight, however Leicester’s stand-in keeper Iversen unfold himself to maintain out a low drive from Szmodics, who twice curled extensive.

Iheanacho’s 67th-minute aim produced a nervy end and the house facet virtually took the sport to further time.

Nampalys Mendy fired inches extensive, whereas Daniel Amartey’s late header hit the surface of the publish.

Blackburn held out for the six minutes of stoppage time, leaving their supporters singing they’re “going to Wembley” after a primary win at Leicester since 1991 – a run of 10 video games.

In addition to retaining their Wembley dream alive, Rovers will look to keep up their type within the Championship, as they stretched their wonderful current run to 1 defeat of their final 13 beneath Tomasson.

Tielemans out for as much as six weeks

In one other blow for the Foxes, Rodgers confirmed midfielder Youri Tielemans shall be sidelined for as much as six weeks with an ankle harm.

The 25-year-old was damage after approaching instead throughout Saturday’s defeat by Arsenal.

“Youri shall be out for six weeks – six weeks will really feel like six months while you lose a participant of that high quality,” Rodgers mentioned after the Blackburn loss.

“Sadly he is finished the ligaments in his ankle. He will not be again earlier than the worldwide break.”