Ward's Penalty Heroics Seal Carabao Cup Progress
Danny Ward was City’s hero with three outstanding spot kick saves, while Rachid Ghezzal, Vicente Iborra and Kelechi Iheanacho succeeded from 12 yards for the Foxes.
Manager Claude Puel made eight changes from the 3-1 home win over Huddersfield Town in the Premier League on Saturday, with Ward, Ricardo Pereira, Wes Morgan, Christian Fuchs, Adrien Silva, Iborra, Shinji Okazaki and Marc Albrighton all coming in at Molineux.
Leicester exhibited an attacking brand of football in the opening stages in front of a raucous West Midlands crowd as Iborra twice went close inside the opening 10 minutes.
First, the Spaniard drilled an audacious effort narrowly wide of John Ruddy’s far post before heading over from inside the 18-yard box, following industrious wing play from Ghezzal.
The Algerian went close himself just after the half-hour, latching onto a superb cross from Albrighton to angle it towards goal, but home captain Conor Coady scrambled off the line at the last.
After the interval, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side carried a considerable threat in forward positions, especially following Diogo Joto’s introduction in the 57th minute.
However, City continued to carve out opportunities of their own and Albrighton was unlucky not to break the deadlock when he latched onto Ghezzal’s pass, but Ruddy saved well at his near post.
In the latter moments, the hosts looked the more likely to score but rarely tested Ward in the Foxes net with Ricardo, Morgan, Jonny Evans and Fuchs all impressing at the back.
In the shootout, meanwhile, Fuchs and Hamza Choudhury were the only Foxes players to be denied, while Ward stepped up to stop Romain Saiss, Jota and Adama Traore.
Benny Ashley-Seal was in fact the only Wolves man to convert from 12 yards, while Ghezzal, Iborra and finally Iheanacho beat Ruddy from the spot to book City a place in the fourth round.
Who impressed?
Despite an assured display from the Foxes in Wolverhampton, one man in particular stole the headlines with a tremendous performance in the penalty shootout.
Danny Ward, stepping in to replace Kasper Schmeichel in the Carabao Cup, delivered three stops, including one stunning save to deny Adama Traore, to send his side into the next round.
Major moment
Praise should also be reserved for Kelechi Iheanacho for showing courage to fire City to victory with a composed effort from 12 yards.
Just like Demarai Gray, who later left the field with an ankle injury, Iheanacho’s introduction sparked a positive change in attacking positions for City - and his overall contribution was key.
Where does it leave us?
City are safely into the fourth round draw, which will take place on Saturday at approximately 9pm BST. Supporters can follow updates on the Club’s official social media channels.
Coming up…
A Premier League trip to St James’ Park to tackle Newcastle United is next up for the Foxes on Saturday afternoon (3pm BST kick-off) – which you can follow live on LCFC Radio.