Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel fouls Elliott Bennett to award Norwich City a penalty. Picture: Paul Chesterton / Focus Images

FA Cup: Norwich City 1, Leicester City 2

David Cuffley Saturday, February 18, 2012
5:15 PM

Norwich City’s hopes of a place in the last eight of the FA Cup were ended by Championship side Leicester City as goals from Sean St Ledger and David Nugent were enough to decide the fifth round tie at Carrow Road.

The Canaries could have few complaints after a disjointed display in front of another packed house

Skipper and leading scorer Grant Holt was not included in manager Paul Lambert’s squad of 18, and that in itself must have been a major boost to the visitors.

Leicester took the lead in only the fifth minute when Sean St Ledger headed home from a corner by Ben Marshall.

The Canaries levelled midway through the half when Wes Hoolahan scored from the rebound after his penalty was saved by Kasper Schmeichel. Schmeichel had conceded the spot-kick with a shove on Elliott Bennett.

Leicester thought they had a second before half-time when Elliott Ward cleared off the line from Wes Morgan, when it was a tight decision over whether the ball was over the line.

But the decisive goal came with just under 20 minutes remaining when David Nugent struck his 13th of the season from Jermaine Beckford’s flick.

Norwich, who had not reached the quarter-finals since 1992, seldom looked likely to end that barren run and though there were a few late scrapes for Leicester, there were no real complaints over the outcome.

There were four changes to the Norwich starting line-up after the 3-2 Premier League win at Swansea, with no place in the 18 for Holt.

Goalkeeper Jed Steer made his home debut after his heroics in the fourth round win at West Bromwich Albion, while Leon Barnett came into the back four and there were recalls for Wes Hoolahan and Steve Morison.

John Ruddy and Andrew Surman were relegated to the bench, while Kyle Naughton – given permission to play by Tottenham – was left out after suffering a knee injury at Swansea. Top scorer Holt was not even among the substitutes, but there was a place on the bench for James Vaughan, his first involvement in the senior side for five months.

Leicester also showed four changes after the 3-2 defeat at Watford on Tuesday. Danny Drinkwater – ineligible in any case - and Paul Gallagher were both injured, while defenders Matt Mills and Paul Konchesky were left out. Into the side came Wes Morgan, Tom Kennedy, Ben Marshall and Neil Danns.

Heavy rain greeted the teams on their arrival with Leicester, winners of the previous four FA Cup meetings between the two clubs, given a noisy welcome by their 2,400 travelling fans.

Barnett was hobbling in the opening minute after making a timely clearance, but as play swept to the other end, Morison missed a useful chance to open the scoring. Good work by Hoolahan and Bennett set him up with the chance to shoot, but he lifted his effort over the bar.

Leicester won a corner when Ward cleared from Marshall’s cross, and it was the first of four corners in quick succession, the last of which produced the opening goal.

Marshall’s inswinging kick found the back of the head of St Ledger as he jumped behind Morison and the ball looped into the net.

Marshall fired just wide left-footed from 20 yards as Leicester looked to build on that early goal.

The Canaries won their first corner when Peltier foiled Jackson’s attempt to shoot after a good run by Drury, Jackson glanced a header wide from Fox’s kick.

Ward was shown the yellow card for a foul on Marshall after 16 minutes, Kennedy curling the resulting g free-kick straight at Steer.

Norwich were handed a way back into the game midway through the half when they were awarded a penalty.

Jackson’s shot looped into the air and as Bennett challenged Schmeichel for the dropping ball, the keeper appeared to catch him on the back of the neck and when Bennett ended up on the ground, referee Dean pointed straight to the spot.

Schmeichel made a fine one-handed save from Hoolahan’s spot-kick, but Hoolahan knocked in the rebound, though he almost put it wide.

A backpass by Barnett almost left Steer short, but the keeper managed to clear as Beckford rushed in.

There was a real scare for Norwich on the half-hour when Leicester were appealing for a goal from a corner. Marshall’s kick led to a scramble in the six-yard box and Morgan deftly backheeled a shot goalwards, which was blocked by the chest of Ward, though the defender had both feet well behind the line and it was a tight decision as to whether the ball had crossed the line.

Morgan became the second booking of the day when he fouled Morison. From the resulting free-kick, Barnett sent in a header that Schmeichel grabbed just under the bar.

Morison headed over from Russell Martin’s cross and, as Leicester switched to the attack, Dyer shot into the side netting from Nugent’s pass.

Nugent made room for a shot with a neat turn but his curling effort from 20 yards was never going to trouble Steer.

Bennett shot wide from Hoolahan’s pass in the final minute of the half after starting the move with a determined challenge.

• Half-time: Norwich City 1, Leicester City 1

In the third minute after the restart, Dyer volleyed over from a reasonable chance as Leicester began more purposefully.

Barnett suffered a knock from the boot of Beckford as he made a brave clearance but was able to continue without treatment.

Eight minutes into the half, Barnett almost gave City the lead when, following a corner from Fox, he stabbed the ball goalwards only for Wellens to clear off the line.

Barnett headed just wide from a corner as City prepared to make a double change and, sure enough, Wilbraham replaced Morison, with Jackson making way for Vaughan, making his first senior appearance since September.

Steer saved at the near post from Marshall as Leicester continued to look more confident going forward.

The visitors made a double change when Konchesky and Delfouneso replaced Kennedy and Marshall.

St Ledger needed attention for a bang in the face as he jumped with Wilbraham and the visitors continued with 10 men.

Vaughan’s first involvement was to head over from Bennett’s cross.

But with just under 20 minutes to go, Leicester were back in front through Nugent.

Beckford supplied the flick and Nugent weaved past Barnett and tucked his shot past Steer.

Hoolahan was close to bringing the Canaries level three minutes later when he went on a twisting run and curled his shot just the wrong side of the post.

Beckford might have had a third but for a timely challenge from Barnett but Leicester were now well on top.

With 12 minutes left, Johnson replaced Fox as Lambert made his final change.

Hoolahan wasted one opening by shooting wide when Vaughan was better placed, after battling work by Wilbraham.

In the closing minutes, Beckford struck the woodwork in a swift counter-attack before, at the other end, Russell Martin had a header blocked from Bennett’s corner and Schmeichel saved from Wilbraham, Konchesky just beating Vaughan to the rebound.

Four minutes of stoppage time failed to provide the Canaries with the goal that would have earned a replay, but they could have few complaints about the outcome.

• Result: Norwich City 1, Leicester City 2

• Norwich City: Steer; Russell Martin, Barnett, Ward, Drury; Fox (Johnson, 78); Bennett, Pilkington; Hoolahan; Morison (Wilbraham, 62), Jackson (Vaughan, 62). Subs (not used): Ruddy, Lappin, Crofts, Surman.

• Leicester City: Schmeichel, Peltier, Morgan, St Ledger, Kennedy (Konchesky, 66); Marshall (Delfouneso, 66), Wellens, Danns, Dyer; Nugent, Beckford. Subs (not used): Smith, Mills, Moussa, Howard, Hopper.

• Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)

• Attendance: 26,658

• Goals: Norwich: Hoolahan (23). Leicester: St Ledger (5), Nugent (71)

• Bookings: Norwich: Ward (16). Leicester: Morgan (37)

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25 comments

Agree with most of what you said,NCFC Mike. All 3 times! But with every position higher up the table reputably worth £800k, and just hanging in the Prem worth multi-millions, survival has to be far more important than winning the Cup. But Mick H`s point about losing without trying is valid. That team, even without Holty`s massive presence, was good enough to have beaten Leicester. We should be able to do our best to progress in the Cup without "blowing up" in the League (shades of 1985 Milk Cup win). Do our best is the point. As Mick H said, to lose without trying is a scandal. "So what if we go down" is NOT on. We must stay there as long as poss for the long-term future of the Club. We all want to see us taking on the top teams, don`t we? Nobody really wants 1p5wich, et al, back do they? OTBC.

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Mad Brewer

Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I don't buy all this stuff about the FA Cup not being important. To get our name on that cup would be the greatest thing we could ever achieve. We're never going to win the Premier League, we came 3rd once but what does that really count for. Even a team from Suffolk have their name on the FA Cup (as we keep hearing), When you are in the last 16 with a home draw against a championship side and the top 2 are out you have a real chance and should go for it 100%. The likelihood of it affecting our EPL Survival are small. Even if we did go down, so what, Winning the FA Cup would be remembered forever.

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NCFC Mike

Monday, February 20, 2012
I don't buy all this stuff about the FA Cup not being important. To get our name on that cup would be the greatest thing we could ever achieve. We're never going to win the Premier League, we came 3rd once but what does that really count for. Even a team from Suffolk have their name on the FA Cup (as we keep hearing), When you are in the last 16 with a home draw against a championship side and the top 2 are out you have a real chance and should go for it 100%. The likelihood of it affecting our EPL Survival are small. Even if we did go down, so what, Winning the FA Cup would be remembered forever.

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NCFC Mike

Monday, February 20, 2012
I don't buy all this stuff about the FA Cup not being important. To get our name on that cup would be the greatest thing we could ever achieve. We're never going to win the Premier League, we came 3rd once but what does that really count for. Even a team from Suffolk have their name on the FA Cup (as we keep hearing), When you are in the last 16 with a home draw against a championship side and the top 2 are out you have a real chance and should go for it 100%. The likelihood of it affecting our EPL Survival are small. Even if we did go down, so what, Winning the FA Cup would be remembered forever.

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NCFC Mike

Monday, February 20, 2012
I'm obviously disappointed with our performance and dropping out off the fa cup, but fair play to Leicester, they wanted it more, so well done to them. Hope we can pick ourselves up and move on.

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ImDrunky

Monday, February 20, 2012
Gediot, do not agree with me unless you do. I said Leicester played better than Norwich, (which is why they won). Reasonable? I did not say they are "simply better than us". Is that simplipswich enough for you? Now disappear back up your own estuary until only the 12 toenails show. If you did not have cronies in Archant, you would have been deleted long ago. I`d love to join your tryst with mickncfc.OTBC.

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, February 19, 2012
Does anyone but the manager believe that some of our players need to be rested. Our next game is 8 days after this rubbish.Are they so physically drained that it takes more than 8 days to recover. If so, i suggest our training methods must be too excessive or are the players too weak? Most of us with jobs, work 40 hours a week and get paid about 1% of what these players do. The effort put into this match was pathetic and was an insult to all the fans who are regularly putting their money into the club. Please NCFC never let this happen again. To try and then lose is one thing, but to not even try is a scandle.

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MickH

Sunday, February 19, 2012
I agree with Brewer. Leicester are simply better than us. As I've said before the vast majority of teams in the Championship are better than us. Follow the Pinkun legend and Voice of the Fans on twitter @geraldsteroo

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Ged Steroo

Sunday, February 19, 2012
A bit disappointing, that team was good enough to have won. But Leicester played better! Simples.

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, February 19, 2012
Totally agree with Soglio. Let's move on.

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Mr Henry

Sunday, February 19, 2012
To berate PL on the basis of one defeat is pathetic. Leicester had clearly done their homework; Nugent is a proven goalscorer; Morison is in the middle of a rotten trot. Other than Steer in goal, that was a side which could feature in the Prem, and considering where we were 2 seasons ago ...

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Soglio Star

Sunday, February 19, 2012
Hi Jed, welcome back, we have missed your great wit and repartee for most of the year so far. Then again, City have been doing so well there has hardly been an opportunity for you to dish out any wise words, has there ? I see your boys won 3-0 yesterday - well done indeed - that puts them up to 16th in the Championship now - Happy Days !! I guess poor old Norwich will just have to dust themselves down and prepare for next weeks visit by a team from Lancashire.

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Dubai Canary

Sunday, February 19, 2012
Is Ged a bit simple ? asks jmm. Well he is an Ipswich supporter so make up your own mind.... His ' alter ego ' Rob Steroo rants about Ipswich on the EADT site so I reckon they're both a sandwich short of a picnic.

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Graham Last

Saturday, February 18, 2012
If we play as badly next week the score will be double figures,I have never seen so many pass's go astray and we played so narrow till the last ten minutes but by that time the game was lost

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leslie cater

Saturday, February 18, 2012
Suggest that Ged gets an early night, must be hard doing his paper round in the" Towen" on Sundays..

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tom the taxi

Saturday, February 18, 2012
ged steroo, do you have learning difficulties? or are you an ipswich supporter, 2 years ago we were league 1 and now we are 8th in premiership and play man u next week, what more do you want,i would of been happy if we were 17th in league at this stage, 8th is just a massive bonus, lee clark?get a grip man

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jmm

Saturday, February 18, 2012
Ged, I couldn't agree more with your comments that you post every week, you truly are a legend! How about before next weeks game you come meet me and my mates for a few drinks, wont cost you a penny i promise, will be in Roccos at 11. Oh just incase you wontcant take me up on that offer why not tell me where you sit at Carrow Road, you seem to be there every week according to your comments you leave on here so im guessing you must be there for the Man Utd game? If you cant make it before the game then i will come meet you at half time, i know lots of the stewards so i can get into most parts of the ground. Go on Ged meet me, i dare ya!!

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mickncfc

Saturday, February 18, 2012
According to the EDP on Friday, Norwich were on 1 million pounds if they beat Leicester and were in the last 8. Are Norwich awash with money that they can throw away 1 million? Lets hope this does not come back to bite them. Perhaps Lambert is starting to believe his own publicity. Can you imagine Sir Alex or Kenny saying the FA cup is not important?

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Redsforever

Saturday, February 18, 2012
It wasn't so much the result but that Lambert said before the game it wasn't a priority ( well it was to me !!!) and after the match the same. The players were awful, I think that unless Leon Barnett pulls his socks up he wont be here next season and that Lambert should give some of whatever he gave to Holt a few months to Morison, he showed no passion, speed or skill. Do you really think resting our top players is going to make a difference when we play Man. Utd. I don't think so. !!! Today was a wasted opportunity !!!

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Lobbo

Saturday, February 18, 2012
Just got back. What a joke of a club we are. This pathetic performance just goes to show that we will never ever win a major trophy. What an embarrassing performance. Although it does prove my point that there is no difference between the standard of football in The Championship to the Premier League. In fact apart from the top 3 or 4 in the Prem, I think the Championship is actually a higher standard. As I said last week we should get Clark in now and get rid of Lambert, he has absolutely no desire to progress us as a club. Pathetic. I'm furious. A furious legend.

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Ged Steroo

Saturday, February 18, 2012
shame...........

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Valleyred

Saturday, February 18, 2012
shame....

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Valleyred

Saturday, February 18, 2012
Now home after an incredibly disappointing performance, especially in front of an almost full house. We all know Premier League is the priority but the FA Cup is special and an opportunity to be in the next round would have meant an awful lot to the many at Carrow Road today. x

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CANARY-CRUISE-GIRL

Saturday, February 18, 2012
Just got back....from the kitchen. Pretty poor show all round, people colliding with each other, passes and shots going astray, Morro having his mid-season crisis. May be the office party on Friday night was a bad idea...........

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Swiss Canary

Saturday, February 18, 2012
I think if the club has decided the team will not be tryng, they should price the tickets accordingly. £25 to see this half-hearted performance was daylight robbery. But, yes, before anyone says it, of course I would rather we worked hard at the Premier League matches to ensure our survival. But it would have been nice to see the players making a bit of an effort - especially the very poor Morison.

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Mel Lacey

Saturday, February 18, 2012