Leicester City secured their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, with a resounding 3-0 victory over Newport County.
James Justin opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time with a stunning curled effort finding the far corner. Unfortunately the England hopeful was stretchered off early in the second half.
Jamie Vardy was back to his best as he scored the Foxes’ second and third goals on a rain-drenched evening at the King Power Stadium.
Newport as expected found it difficult to work their way up their pitch and struggled to create many clear-cut opportunities.
There was no repeat of the FA Cup tie back in 2019 where Newport County produced an upset and knocked Claude Puel’s Leicester out.
Story of the Match
The Foxes controlled most of the opening 30 minutes, without creating many clear-cut chances.
Their best opportunity came through Vardy who tried to square for Perez. A Vardy in goal scoring form would have taken it himself.
Some good link-up play from Barnes and Vardy saw Nick Townsend forced into saving Barnes’ effort.
In the first 30 minutes Leicester had 86% of possession with all 10 of Leicester’s outfield players camped in the Newport half.
Daniel Iversen in the Leicester net was a spectator.
The first half’s moment of magic came from an unlikely source, as Justin cut in from the right before curling a beauty into the far corner.
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: James Justin of Leicester City goes down with an injury during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Leicester City and Newport County at The King Power Stadium on November 08, 2022 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Justin may have been a late shout for the England squad, with Ben Chilwell ruled out through injury.
But the left back was stretchered off in the second half, leaving his World Cup dream in limbo.
Newport County started the second half the better team, after a well-worked free kick saw Lewis Collins’ header hit the post.
However, the linesman’s flag was up and the goal would not have counted.
In the 67th minute, a twisting run from Barnes put himself into a shooting opportunity.
The winger’s curled effort was saved well by the Newport keeper.
The game was taken out of Newport's reach when a deliciously whipped cross from Marc Albrighton was flicked home by Vardy, a rewind to Leicester’s 2015/16 title-winning season.
Leicester’s academy has produced some gems over the years, Chilwell, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Luke Thomas to name a few.
In the 74th minute, Rodgers handed a professional debut to promising midfielder and England youth international Sammy Braybrooke.
Leicester had their third in the 82nd minute and Vardy had his brace.
The 35-year-old beat the offside trap as Barnes slipped him in. Vardy calmly rounded the keeper before sending Priestley Farquharson back to Newport and smashing into an open net.
Leicester progress into the fourth round, with the draw taking place after the Manchester United vs Aston Villa tie on Thursday night.
The fourth round ties will take place week commencing December 19th.
Player of the Match
Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
Vardy looked back to his best and caused the Newport County defence problems all night.
He took both of his goals well and managed to wind up the away fans, all in a night’s work.