Iheanacho scores off the bench as Leicester lose at home to Blackburn

Kelechi Iheanacho scored for Leicester City in a 2-1 defeat to Blackburn

FA CUP Iheanacho scores off the bench as Leicester lose at home to Blackburn

Tunde Young 22:38 - 28.02.2023

Kelechi Iheanacho was on target for Leicester City but could not help the Foxes avoid elimination following a shock home defeat to Blackburn

Leicester City have been knocked out of the FA Cup at the fifth round following a 2-1 defeat at home to Championship club Blackburn Rovers.

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The Premier League side were stunned at home by their visitors from the second tier who took a two-goal lead at the King Power Stadium.

Nigerian international Kelechi Iheanacho came off the bench to pull one back for the Foxes but try as they may, they could not get the equaliser.

Leicester City 1-2 Blackburn Rovers

Leicester City were the pre-game favourites to win this one and they started just like that with Brazilian winger Tete drawing a smart save from Aynsley Pears in the Blackburn net who then reacted quickly to save Dennis Praet's rebound attempt. 

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Leicester City v Blackburn Rovers FA Cup 28 02 2023. Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Aynsley Pears (13) in action during the FA Cup match between Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers at the King Power Stadium, Leicester, England on 28 February 2023. Leicester King Power Stadium Leicestershire England Editorial use only , Copyright: xCraigxGallowayx PSI-16987-0045 Pro Sports Images

Both teams continued to go at each other in the early exchanges but it wasn't until the 33rd minute that the deadlock got broken when Tyrhys Dolan drove home the ball home from the edge of the box.

The visitors ended the first half on top and started the second in the same vein, continuously taking the game to Brendan Rodgers' men until they doubled their lead in the 52nd minute.

Sammie Szmodics demonstrated the hunger that was lacking from their Premier League hosts to wriggle through the Leicester defence, before slotting a composed effort into the bottom corner.

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Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ryan Browne Shutterstock (13785379ck) Sammie Szmodics of Blackburn Rovers celebrates his goal 0-2. Leicester City v Blackburn Rovers, Emirates FA Cup, Fifth Round, Football, King Power Stadium, Leicester, UK - 28 Feb 2023 EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club league player publications. Leicester City v Blackburn Rovers, Emirates FA Cup, Fifth Round, Football, King Power Stadium, Leicester, UK - 28 Feb 2023 EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club league player publications. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxGRExMLTxCYPxROUxBULxUAExKSAxONLY Copyright: xRyanxBrowne Shutterstockx 13785379ck Shutterstock

Sensing the danger of getting knocked out by a lesser opponent, Rodgers threw on Nigerian forward Kelechi Iheanacho, Mr FA Cup in a bid to rescue the game.

It took Iheanacho just nine minutes to impact the game, pulling one back in the 67th minute after being set up by Harvey Barnes for his 18th career FA Cup goal.

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Leicester City v Blackburn Rovers FA Cup 28 02 2023. GOAL scores 2-1 Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho (14) scores during the FA Cup match between Leicester City and Blackburn Rovers at the King Power Stadium, Leicester, England on 28 February 2023. Leicester King Power Stadium Leicestershire England Editorial use only , Copyright: xManjitxNarotrax PSI-16988-0019 Pro Sports Images

Leicester City threw men forward in a bid to find the equaliser and they came closest when Daniel Amartey struck the woodwork in stoppage time.

Blackburn fought all attempts to send the game to extra time by Leicester City, holding on for a famous victory that sends them to the quarterfinals of the 2022/23 FA Cup.