Youthful Under-23s Side Beaten In PL Cup At Burnley
Following a quick turnaround from City’s penalty shootout loss to Bayern Munich in the Premier League International Cup on Wednesday, there were three changes to the starting line-up.
In came Under-18s defender Edward Elewa-Ikpakwu, replacing Lamine Kaba Sherif at right-back, while Tyrese Shade took the place of Admiral Muskwe in an advanced position.
Goalkeeper Max Bramley, meanwhile, also come in for Viktor Johansson, who will be involved with Sweden's youth set-up during the upcoming international break.
Leicester’s first opportunity came after just seven minutes as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s out-swinging corner was cleared to Romania international Alex Pascanu, who fired wide from 20 yards.
Forward Layton Ndukwu also tried to capitalise on a pocket of space opening up for him, but his curling effort was comfortably saved by Adam Legzdins, 32, in the Clarets’ goal.
The 20-year-old was unlucky not to open the scoring shortly after when Dewsbury-Hall played a short corner, allowing Ndukwu to get a shot away, but Legzdins was there to save again.
The hosts’ first genuine chance came on the 20-minute mark as Bobby Thomas’ cross reached Olatunde Bayode. The winger’s volley, from the right channel, flew over the bar though.
When a Legzdins goal-kick was emphatically headed forwards by Sam Hughes, on the other hand, it presented an opportunity for Ryan Loft to run at goal, but his effort was sent off target.
Ahead of the interval, Burnley advanced up the left wing and, after switching it to the far side, Rob Harker was able to get a shot away, prompting Bramley to make an excellent low save.
There was another scare for the Foxes as a looping Agyei header clipped the bar, but both sides went into the break having not done enough to break the deadlock.
City were unchanged at the start of the second period and they displayed an increased urgency in attacking positions, upon instruction from the bench.
Tyrese Shade and Ndukwu continued to provide support for Loft, who often had two Burnley defenders close in on him as soon as he gained possession, and that reinforcement helped.
Just before the hour-mark, it almost paid dividends as Shade received the ball and hit it at goal, but home substitute Scott Wilson was there to make a fine block on the goalline.
At the other end, though, it was Burnley who broke the deadlock in the 67th minute when Agyei cut inside his man and sent a rocket into the bottom corner from the edge of City’s 18-yard box.
With six minutes to go, Hughes located Loft behind the hosts’ backline with an exceptional diagonal ball, but the former Tottenham Hotspur forward, who controlled it well, was dispossessed.
Shortly after, in his own box, Hughes was there again to make a smart challenge to prevent Agyei from scoring his second and doubling his side’s lead in the dying moments.
However, despite Leicester's best efforts to score a second late leveller in two days and take the tie to extra-time, Burnley did enough to seal their safe passage to the quarter-finals.
Who impressed?
Following two substitute appearances for the Club’s Development Squad, defender Edward Elewa-Ikpakwu stepped up from the Under-18s squad to make his maiden Under-23s start.
Considering it was his first start at an elevated level, the 18-year-old did admirably at Barnfield Training Centre, although he will undoubtedly look to improve upon his debut appearance.
Where does it leave us?
Out of the Premier League Cup, City are sixth in Premier League 2 Division 1, although they’re only two points off third, while Everton, 11 points ahead with three games to play, lead the way.
Coming up…
Leicester will now have a three-week break from action before their trip to London Stadium to tackle West Ham United in Premier League 2 Division 1 on Sunday 7 April (1pm GMT kick-off).
The details…
City: Bramley, Elewa-Ikpakwu, Hughes, Pascanu (Kaba Sherif 69’), Thomas, Dewsbury-Hall, Wright, Leshabela, Ndukwu (Tavares 61’), Shade, Loft
Subs not used: Johansson, Kranthove
Images: Burnley FC