Ranieri Takes Positives From Performance

- The Foxes lose 5-4 on penalties after the game was tied at 1-1 after extra-time 

- Riyad Mahrez’s goal was cancelled out by Abel Hernandez to take the game to penalties 

- Ranieri praises the performance of Academy graduate Ben Chilwell on his professional debut 

Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri couldn’t fault the performance of his players despite a penalty shootout defeat at the hands of Hull City in the Capital One Cup Fourth Round. 

The Foxes were made to work hard at the KC Stadium against their Championship opponents, who hadn’t lost at home all season, but eventually took the lead through Riyad Mahrez in the first half of extra-time. 

Hull struck back shortly afterwards through Abel Hernandez and ultimately triumphed 5-4 on penalties, after Mahrez’s opening spot kick was tipped onto the post. 

However despite seeing his side knocked out of the cup, Ranieri was pleased with the efforts of his team – not least with a brilliant debut from Academy graduate Ben Chilwell. 

“I’m not happy for the result but I’m happy for the performance because we knew it was a tough match and we played strongly,” Ranieri told Foxes Player HD. 

“We tried to do our best and we scored a goal but we conceded a goal in a bad moment. We were very, very close to finishing the match with a win but we then lost the penalty shootout. It’s OK, I’m very glad for the performance from Ben Chilwell because he played like a mature player. 

“Hull City at home are very good. They are second in the Championship. It was a good match for us and we played strongly to try to win the match. We lost the match but the performance was OK.” 

All three substitutes combined for City’s goal – Danny Drinkwater, Jamie Vardy and Mahrez – something that impressed the boss. 

“The impact was amazing,” he said. “We scored a goal and we played better, but we lost on the penalties. It wasn’t a mistake from Riyad, it was a good save from the ‘keeper. 

“Hull scored five penalties, so well done to them.”