We Didn’t Play Well Enough, Says Rodgers
- Leicester City were beaten 2-0 by Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup
- Dan Burn and Joelinton scored the goals at St. James’ Park
- The Foxes exited the competition at the quarter-final stage
- Brendan Rodgers reacted to the defeat with LCFC TV after full-time
The hosts claimed a 2-0 victory at St. James’ Park on Tuesday evening, courtesy of second-half goals from Dan Burn and Joelinton, which saw the Magpies progress into the semi-finals of the competition.
Giving an assessment of proceedings on Tyneside after full-time, City’s manager felt that the Foxes did not perform, in a similar scenario to the league fixture between the sides on Boxing Day.
“We were beaten by the better team,” he told LCFC TV. “We started well, we had to weather the storm, we had some chances in the first half. Patson [Daka] got in, we had an opportunity in the box, and we didn’t quite take it.
“Wardy (Danny Ward) had to make some good saves, but we didn’t play well enough, that’s the brutal honesty of it. We’ve come here before and passed the ball and showed quality, but we didn’t show enough quality this evening and the best team won.
“We didn’t start well at all (in the league game). Tonight, we didn’t show our strength. We got into some good moments, but we lost too many balls, we gave away the ball too cheaply and if you do that, then it’s going to be tough for you.
“I think the frustration is that the two goals that we conceded were disappointing. We had the ball, give it away, and then it’s soft goals. Obviously the second goal, it’s from a throw-in.
“You’ve got to lead in those moments, you’ve got to be stronger and it was two passes and too easy for them to get in.”
The introductions of Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho on 64 minutes gave impetus to Leicester’s attack, though City’s No.9 was unable to convert a couple of chances that fell his way in the closing stages.
The Northern Irishman continued: “At 2-1 with 15 minutes to go, it would make it interesting. There would be a bit more nervousness in the ground, but he obviously just pulled it wide. It was a good move, a good opportunity, but that was probably what we were like throughout the evening.”
Leicester have Nottingham Forest coming up next at the City Ground on Saturday (3pm GMT kick-off), providing a chance to respond in the Premier League, against their East Midlands rivals.
“That’s the beauty of it,” the 49-year-old added. “They are all tough games, especially with the position that we’re in, in terms of our bodies and our squad, but it’s a team that we did great against at home.
“But we were punished there last year in the cup and we want to go and make amends for that and we’ll be ready for that at the weekend.”