KELECHI Iheanacho scored the only goal today to send Leicester City past Gillingham into the fourth round of the English FA Cup.
The Nigeria international was given a rare start in the encounter and he repaid Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers’ faith by netting in the 56th minute against the stubborn fourth-tier hosts.
Since his first appearance in the competition in January 2016, Iheanacho has scored more FA Cup goals (16) than any other player, according to Opta statistics.
Iheanacho’s compatriot Wilfred Ndidi was on for the final nine minutes as the Foxes held on for the narrow win.
Also today, Joe Aribo was in action for 87 minutes as Southampton ended a run of four straight defeats with a 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace.
The Saints fell behind to Odsonne Edouard’s 12th minute strike but fought back with a James Ward-Prowse free-kick in the 37th minute and Adam Armstrong’s goal in the 68th minute.
Crystal Palace had Nigerian winger Michael Olise on from the start, with Eberechi Eze coming on in the second half. Both players are eligible for the Super Eagles but have not committed to the team.
Unlike Iheanacho, Ndidi and Aribo who advanced today, William Troost-Ekong and his Watford side were dumped out of the competition.
With the Super Eagles vice-captain starting and completing the match, Watford were beaten 2-0 at Reading,
Kelvin Abrefa and Shane Long scoring in first-half and second-half added time.
In other FA Cup third round early kick-offs today, Harry Kane scored the only goal as Tottenham Hotspur edged past visiting Portsmouth 1-0 and Preston North End overcame Huddersfield Town 3-1.
