LONDON, (Reuters) – Leicester City reached the FA Cup final for the first time in more than 50 years as Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal secured a 1-0 win over Southampton at Wembley yesterday.
A disappointing game was settled 10 minutes after the break as the Nigerian striker slotted on the second attempt after good work by Jamie Vardy.
Leicester, who have never won the FA Cup and last appeared in the final in 1969, will face Chelsea on May 15.
A crowd of around 4,000, mostly local residents and key workers, was allowed to attend the semi-final as part of a test event for returning crowds as COVID-19 restrictions loosen.
They had little value to get excited about in a miserable first half, but the second period was a little better.
It was no surprise that Iheanacho scored the winner as he has now netted 10 times in his last seven games.
Southampton, who had not conceded a goal in the semi-final, rarely threatened and failed to force a save out of Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Iheanacho was already the highest scoring African player in the English FA Cup, having overtaken Chelsea’s Didier Drogba (12) by scoring in Manchester United’s 3-1 loss in the final eight.
His 14th in the competition was all about Vardy’s toughness, and a little luck.
Vardy turned well on the left flank and powered forward before cutting back a pass towards Iheanacho who had cleverly found some space in the area.
His first attempt, which was going wide, was blocked but the ball came back to him and he turned alongside Fraser Forster.
“It’s amazing for the club who have waited a long time to reach the FA Cup final,” said manager Brendan Rodgers. “We deserved it today, we defended very strongly.
“A tight game with so much at stake. You work so hard and it’s an opportunity to make history for your club. Concentration was good, well defended when necessary. ”
Vardy wasted Leicester’s only real chance before the break after being played by Youri Tielemans.
After Iheanacho’s goal, Leicester looked comfortable with substitute James Maddision missing the target with a couple of good chances.
The closest Southampton came to equalizing was Ibrahima Diallo’s effort just off target but it was a sleepy display by the south coast side.
“We left everything on the field that was possible for us but we had no shots on target,” said Southampton boss Ralph Hassenhuettl. “We didn’t have much of a chance in the final third, a good one or two seconds but it wasn’t enough.
“We found a football match not very good to be honest with both teams a little nervous.”