The first half passed without much incident. Harry Maguire’s last ditch block on Samir Carruthers being the closest Sheffield United came to scoring. Leicester managed to put Vardy in behind the defence on a couple of occasions, but his efforts were kept at bay by Jamaal Blackman in goal for the ‘Blades’.
The second half continued in much the same vein and 0-0 looked the most likely scoreline as the game ticked over into the final half hour.
Step forward Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy. Mahrez was given his first start by Claude Puel since returning to training following his self-imposed exile after the failed transfer to Manchester City. The Algerian floated a ball to the back post over the watching defenders, before Vardy produced a superb header to send it back across goal and looping over the keeper.
16 February 2018
Kaspar Schmeichel was finally forced to make a save to conserve the lead, and what a save it was, George Baldock curling a low effort toward the bottom corner before the Dane tipped it round the post at full stretch.
Sheffield United made a double substitution, sending on Ched Evans and Mark Duffy, but to no avail. Leicester saw the game out in composed fashion and Vardy was visibly elated on the bench - having been substituted with three minutes to go.
The ‘Foxes’ became the first team to put their name into the hat for the Quarter-inal draw, swiftly followed by Chelsea who also played on Friday night, beating Hull. Sheffield United will now turn their attentions back to the league, where a playoff off spot is more than achievable.
16 February 2018