LONDON: Leeds United beat Accrington Stanley 3-1 to book their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time in seven years as Leicester City also avoided a shock with a 1-0 win at Walsall on Saturday.

Jack Harrison’s stunning long-range strike settled Leeds’ nerves of an upset against the League One side at the Wham Stadium.

Jesse Marsch’s men face a fight to survive in the Premier League, but are beginning to click as an attacking force with the return of Patrick Bamford and Luis Sinisterra from injury to complement new signing Georginio Rutter.

“I’m confident this group is coming together,” said Marsch. “Really happy with the team, with the progress we are making. I think we are ready for some big challenges now.”

Bamford’s brilliant reverse pass teed up Junior Firpo to double the visitors’ lead just after the hour mark.

Two minutes later, Sinisterra tapped home Harrison’s cross to end the tie as a contest.

But there was a moment to savour for Stanley as 18-year-old Leslie Adekoya pulled a goal back nine minutes from time.

Leicester were pushed even closer by League Two Walsall only to be bailed out by FA Cup specialist Kelechi Iheanacho.

The Nigerian has scored more goals in the competition than any other player since making his debut in 2016.

Leicester, who beat fourth-tier strugglers Gillingham by a single Iheanacho goal last time out, faced a stern test from a hard-working, high-energy Walsall side eager to shut out their top-flight opposition.

It took 30 minutes for the Foxes to get a shot on target, and a frustrating afternoon was made worse as Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans’ powerful effort from the penalty spot struck the post after Patson Daka was fouled inside the box.

But second-half substitute Iheanacho rescued Leicester’s afternoon when his effort from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection off the back of Walsall defender Brandon Comley, turning it into a curling, dipping ball that proved too much for the goalkeeper to handle.

With Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers telling reporters after the match that first-choice striker Jamie Vardy will be out for “a few weeks” after suffering a gluteal injury in training, Iheanacho, who has started just once in the league, could get his chance to shine.

“He will get more game time with Vards out for a few weeks. It depends on the type of game we are looking to play,” Rodgers said. “When he takes his chance he scores. He has made a great impact in the competition since I’ve been here.

“He has been first class, trains virtually every day and is very rarely injured. He sometimes starts games not so good, sometimes he is a little hit and miss, but you know when he plays to a high level he is a threat.”

Full-back Romain Perraud scored twice as Southampton saw off a late rally by Blackpool to progress 2-1.

Fulham are the only Premier League side that have failed to win so far on Saturday after they were held 1-1 by Sunderland at Craven Cottage.

Jack Clarke fired the visitors into an early lead against a much-changed Fulham side.

But Tom Cairney’s equaliser on the hour mark sent the tie to a replay.

Four other ties will need replays to find a winner, including Championship leaders Burnley’s clash with Ipswich after a 0-0 draw at Portman Road.

AKE EARNS CITY WIN

OVER ARSENAL

Manchester City were the first team into round five after Nathan Ake struck in the second half to earn a hard-fought 1-0 victory over visitors Arsenal on Friday.

The top two teams in the Premier League cancelled each other out in the first half, with Erling Haaland twice going close for City while pacesetters Arsenal forced home goalkeeper Stefan Ortega into two fine saves to keep them at bay.

City’s Pep Guardiola brought Julian Alvarez off the bench early in the second half, with the Argentina striker playing a big part in the winner, firing against the post before Ake slotted home from the follow up in the 64th minute.

The sides will meet twice more in the next three months in the Premier League with the title on the line and Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said his side need to learn to be ruthless against City.

Arsenal lead City by five points at the top of the table and Arteta believes the Gunners have to put the defending English champions to the sword when they have the chance.

“Really disappointed. I think we could have got much more out of the game,” said Arteta. “It is really difficult to win against this team but we went head to head with them. In the big moments, in big matches you have to make the difference. That is how you win these games.”

Guardiola had billed the clash as a barometer of whether his side could reel in Arsenal in the title race and City laid down a marker on the challengers to their crown as the dominant force in English football.

“Tight game, second half was better,” Guardiola told ITV Sport. “Really difficult opponent and we won it.”

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2023