Leicester City displayed their clinical prowess to outscore Millwall in an engaging all-Championship encounter at the Den, securing a place in the FA Cup’s fourth round
The Foxes took an early lead with their first attack, as Marc Albrighton delivered a cross from the right for Cesare Casadei to head in. The Italian then set up Ricardo Pereira for a goal, extending their advantage.
After the break, Duncan Watmore pulled one back for Millwall from close range, but Tom Cannon increased Leicester’s lead to 3-1 by rounding the keeper and finishing into an empty net from Callum Doyle’s long ball.
Zian Flemming’s goal, assisted by Joe Bryan’s corner, set the stage for a tense finale, but the 2021 cup winners and current Championship leaders managed to hold on.
This marks the third consecutive season that Millwall has been eliminated in the third round. Despite matching Leicester’s eight attempts on target and coming close to forcing a replay with Flemming’s late free-kick, Leicester, with seven changes in their lineup, maintained their unbeaten run, securing a 24th win in 30 matches across all competitions this season.
Jakub Stolarczyk, the stand-in goalkeeper for the Foxes, demonstrated his worth in only his fifth appearance of the season, making crucial saves against Watmore and Danny McNamara as Millwall began brightly. City then took the lead through Casadei, the on-loan Chelsea midfielder, scoring his third goal of the season.
Despite six changes in their lineup, the Lions continued to create opportunities, with Jake Cooper sending a free header over the bar from Bryan’s corner. Pereira added a second goal for the visitors, making it two shots on target and two goals.
The second half unfolded in a breathless and chaotic fashion, with Sarkic making a superb diving save from Cannon to keep Millwall in the game. Watmore eventually scored a well-deserved goal, providing a glimmer of hope. However, Sarkic’s misjudgment of Doyle’s long ball led to Cannon’s third goal in two games, seemingly securing the outcome.
Sarkic later denied the in-form 21-year-old Cannon twice, as well as Albrighton, before Flemming’s skillful finish added tension to the finish, echoing the 3-2 scoreline from last month’s league encounter.