City Exit FA Cup Following Millwall Loss

Claudio Ranieri made 10 changes to the side that faced Swansea City, handing a debut to Molla Wagué, who later retreated due to a shoulder injury. 

City’s best opportunity of the first half fell to Shinji Okazaki, who was somehow denied by Millwall stopper Jordan Archer from point-blank range. Ahmed Musa’s follow-up was blocked. 

The hosts were then reduced to 10 men just six minutes into the second half, as Jake Cooper received a second yellow card for a challenge on Musa, having already been booked in the opening 45 minutes. 

While Okazaki had another golden opportunity to put City 1-0 up, the sending off only spurred on Neil Harris’ men, who in injury time netted the winner through defender Shaun Cummings. 

The right back burst forward and calmly slotted in past Ron-Robert Zieler under pressure to send his side into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Major moment 

Shaun Cummings’ 90th-minute strike left the Foxes with no time to respond. With a little more composure going forward, City would have ran out clear winners given the amount of opportunities they created. 

After Millwall were reduced to 10 men, City had plenty of space to attack, but couldn’t break down the Lions’ defiant back line. 

Who impressed? 

Having done well against Derby County in the previous round, winger Bartosz Kapustka was given another opportunity to impress against Millwall. 

Operating just behind Shinji Okazaki in a no.10 role, the Poland international played some fine passes, but was often crowded out when about to pull the trigger himself. 

Where do we stand? 

Claudio Ranieri made clear ahead of the game that his side’s priority was securing their Premier League status. 

While a run in the Emirates FA Cup would have no doubt been welcomed by the boss, the Foxes can now focus on improving their form in the league, as well as progressing in the UEFA Champions League. 

Coming up 

First up is a UEFA Champions League Last-16 first leg tie with Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium on Wednesday 22 February (7.45pm kick-off). 

The Foxes then return to Premier League action on Monday 27 February, when they face Liverpool at King Power Stadium.