Thandi 'Buzzing' After FA Youth Cup Winner

- Young Leicester City right-back Simran Thandi was thrilled to score the winner for the Under-18s against Middlesbrough on Friday

- His 102nd minute strike from distance means City will face Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup later this month

- Thandi delivered a strong defensive display for Trevor Peake's men but showed his attacking prowess with a fantastic finish

- The 17-year-old says the players are confident of seeing their way past Chelsea in the next round despite being underdogs

The young Foxes right-back, donning a bandage on his head, cut inside from the flank before picking his spot past goalkeeper Zachary Hemming in the 102nd minute to break the deadlock at Heritage Park in the North East. 

“It’s great, we’re all buzzing in the changing room,” he told LCFC TV at full-time, after 120 minutes in Bishop Auckland. “We’re in the quarters now and all of us fought hard until the end which is very good. 

“It was difficult at times. I was buzzing at the time but we still had a long time left and had to fight hard until the end. I’m feeling good, at the time [the injury] was painful, but I couldn’t give in.” 

Thandi also admitted that he was delighted to get on the scoresheet, especially with such an important strike for the Club, and says City are expecting a tough test when holders Chelsea arrive later this month. 

He added: “I like to get the odd goal but, as a defender, defence is my priority. We all worked hard and it was good to get a goal in the end. We felt we deserved to win the match for our effort.

“Both technically and physically, it’ll be a test against Chelsea. It’ll be a great experience for us at home. We’ll have the fans behind us and that motivation to progress further into the competition.”