Jamie Vardy goes from hero to zero as Manchester City beat Leicester after dramatic penalty shootout
Leicester 1 Manchester City 1 (City win 4-3 on penalties): Vardy scored a penalty to level the score shortly before the full-time whistle only to then miss from the spot in the decisive shootout
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jamie Vardy was at the heart of a controversial finale as Manchester City extended their unbeaten start to the domestic season with a penalty shoot-out win at Leicester City.
Vardy and Riyad Mahrez missed in the shoot-out as City triumphed 4-3 to reach the semi-finals of the EFL Cup.
That was after a successful Vardy spot-kick, awarded contentiously for a foul on Demarai Gray six minutes into stoppage-time, had taken the tie into extra time following Bernardo Silva’s first-half goal for the visitors.
Guardiola’s side were furious with referee Bobby Madley for playing eight minutes of stoppage time then awarding a penalty against Kyle Walker, but they held their nerve in the shoot-out.
The visitors looked set to claim another victory in their remarkable season when Silva gave them a half-time lead.
Leicester had the better of the opening minutes with Manchester City old-boy Kelechi Iheanacho refusing to give his former team-mates a moment to settle on the ball.
But it was the visitors who were first to threaten as Leicester almost played themselves into trouble on 13 minutes.
First a crossfield pass by Christian Fuchs for the Foxes was intercepted by Bernardo Silva, who advanced towards goal and forced goalkeeper Ben Hamer into the first save of the night.
Then Hamer raced rashly from his goal and lost possession with his goal unguarded.
Ilkay Gundogan was first to try his luck but defender Harry Maguire got back to block his shot before Silva dragged the follow-up effort wide of the target.
Gundogan made another attempt to catch out Hamer on 20 minutes when he spotted the Leicester keeper a fraction off his line and tried to find the net with a delicate chip.
But the keeper adjusted his feet neatly and pushed the effort over the crossbar.
Iheanacho’s difficult first half included a booking when he attempted to beat Claudio Bravo to a loose ball but overstretched and caught the Manchester City goalkeeper with a late foot.
Leicester were finally finding their feet when they found themselves behind with another moment Iheanacho will want to forget.
He was dispossessed too easily on halfway by Yaya Toure with Gundogan stealing the loose ball and striding through the heart of midfield.
The German teed up Silva, who produced a firm, low finish to beat Hamer.
Leicester had been under the cosh but almost stunned their visitors with an equaliser from nowhere nine minutes before the break.
Iheanacho exchanged passes cleverly with Shinji Okazaki and tried his luck with a low, fizzing shot but Bravo was equal to it and turned it away.
The visitors threatened to add to their lead when Silva burst down the right and crossed a fraction behind Jesus.
Gundogan was then booked for diving on the edge of the Leicester 18-yard before and the clumsy Eliaquim Mangala was fortunate to escape with only a warning after catching Okazaki with a forearm as they contested a high ball.
But Guardiola’s men looked as likely to score as the hosts and they went close when Jesus headed a Silva cross just wide.
City’s stewards wrestled a pitch invader to the ground and Bravo proved just as tough to thwart as he saved a low shot from substitute Riyad Mahrez.
But six minutes into added time Vardy converted from the spot after Demarai Gray had been tripped by fellow substitute Kyle Walker.
Leicester had the better of the extra half-hour with Maguire heading wide and Vardy going close when he charged down a Hamer clearance and the ball flashed just off target.
And in the second period Bravo saved well from Mahrez.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments