This Week In History: Joachim's Barnstormer, Last-Gasp Schlupp & Mancini's Debut

Heritage
23 Jan 2020
3 Minutes
The week between 20-26 January in Leicester City's recent history included memorable goals, last-gasp victories and blockbuster signings.

During seven days in time which also included a debut for Mike Stringfellow in 1962 and Craig Levein's departure as manager in 2006, the following three events also took place... 

On Wednesday 20 January, 1993, Brian Little's Leicester City needed a goal at Barnsley in an FA Cup Third Round replay and it came in extraordinary circumstances.

It was Barnsley's corner, but a headed clearance by Steve Walsh eventually came to Steve Thompson, who quickly offloaded it to Julian Joachim, already making ground on the wing.

The Academy graduate was half-way into his own half when his gallop began but he ran and ran. Gary Mills preoccupied the onrushing defending, opening up a pocket of space.

Joachim didn't need an invite, though, as he continued charging towards goal. On the edge of the penalty area, he went for it, curling an outrageous effort with the outside of his right boot.

A packed away end held its breath and watched it fly over the goalkeeper and into the net, sparking jubilant celebrations and winning Joachim Match of the Day's Goal of the Month. 

However, despite the Foxes winger's heroics, the joy soon subsided as the Tykes sealed a victory on penalties, after drawing 1-1 in normal time, as Little's men exited the competition.

It was Saturday 24 January, 2015 and the Foxes were bottom of the Premier League. However, Nigel Pearson's men had a break in league action, with an FA Cup trip to Tottenham Hotspur.

While Andros Townsend initially put Spurs ahead from the spot, City's performance clearly warranted more and they continued to press into the latter moments at White Hart Lane.

Andrej Kramarić had been denied by Michel Vorm. He'd saved well from Jeff Schlupp too. With seven minutes to go, the Foxes seemed destined to be knocked out at the fourth round stage. 

Schlupp went for goal from distance, but his effort was off target. There was Leonardo Ulloa, though, to control it expertly before picking his spot into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.

In the second minute of added time, on the other hand, Danny Simpson crossed for Schlupp, who cut inside his man and hopefully prodded his foot out at the ball.

Vorm was caught unaware and, despite a lack of power to the Ghana international's effort, the Spurs 'keeper couldn't keep it out as Pearson's Leicester strode on to the fifth round.

Italian midfielder Roberto Mancini was one of the most high-profile signings in City's history.

Arsenal were quickly becoming a bogey team for Leicester City in the Premier League, but their visit to Filbert Street on Saturday 20 January, 2001 included an intriguing subplot.

Days earlier, the Club had confirmed the capture of Italian icon Roberto Mancini who, when the Gunners visited Leicester, became City's oldest-ever debutant at the age of 36 and 54 days.

The former Bologna, Sampdoria and Lazio midfielder, on loan at Filbert Street, started alongside Muzzy Izzet, Robbie Savage and Matthew Jones in Peter Taylor's midfield that day.

Jones was dismissed in the first half, but the Foxes held on to keep Arsène Wenger's men out, Ray Parlour and Robert Pires testing Simon Royce in the home side's goal.

In the end, Mancini only made another four appearances for Leicester before returning to Italy after being offered the manager's job at Fiorentina, where he would stay until 2002.

Despite being in the Premier League's top four for much of the season, Taylor's side eventually finished 13th in the Premier League and were relegated the following season.