Puel: Newport Took Their Chances

- Claude Puel described Leicester City’s loss to Newport County as a tough result to take
- The Foxes were defeated 2-1 at Rodney Parade in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round
- Puel says City must now pour all of their focus into their Premier League campaign

The Foxes exited the Emirates FA Cup at the third round stage following Padraig Among’s 85th-minute penalty for the hosts.

City had got themselves on level terms with eight minutes to play after Rachid Ghezzal cancelled out Jamille Matt’s opener, but Amond’s spot-kick proved to be enough to send the League 2 side into the fourth round.

“Of course, it’s disappointing,” Puel told LCFC TV. “Well done to Newport, they took their chances and created the upset. They scored one of their first chances, a fantastic goal.

“We had a lot of possibility and opportunity in the first and second half. We made it difficult in the time to come back and to equalise. We were drawing and then we conceded the penalty.  

“It’s tough, of course it’s tough, because it was an objective for us. It’s a lot of pain of course, because I don’t know if we deserved it. It was a typical cup game with the opponent with the fighting spirit and they believed in themselves.

“They scored with their first action and we didn’t find the clinical edge to come back early in the game. When we came back, we conceded the penalty and of course, it’s harsh.”

Puel now wants his side to show strength and togetherness as their attentions turn to a Premier League encounter with Southampton at King Power Stadium on Saturday (3pm GMT kick-off).

The manager added: “For the moment, we have to recover after this disappointment and of course all our focus and concentration on our Premier League games and to give our best to continue this way.

“I hope we have the strength together to continue a fantastic way in the Premier League after this big disappointment.”