Vardy helps Leicester get past Birmingham in cup

Jamie Vardy scored his first goal in more than two months to help send a much-changed Leicester City into the fifth round of the FA Cup with victory against fellow Championship side Birmingham.

But former England striker Vardy met a Marc Albrighton cross immediately after the break to head the Foxes in front with their first effort on target.

And while the talismanic 37-year-old had a second goal disallowed for offside, well-taken strikes from Yunus Akgun and Dennis Praet ensured the 2021 FA Cup winners and run-away Championship leaders progressed.

Influential midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – Leicester’s joint-top scorer and leading assist provider this season – attracted plenty of attention even though he was not involved in the tie, as reports emerged overnight that Brighton are in talks to sign the 25-year-old.

And only three days after Hamza Choudhury was charged for drink driving, he was the only Leicester player to retain his spot in the starting 11 after Monday’s draw with Ipswich Town.

Fit-again Vardy was among the 10 changes, as he came in for his first start for more than two months after recovering from a knee injury.

Despite 19 places and 34 points separating the two sides in the Championship table, it was Birmingham who almost completely controlled the first half at the King Power Stadium.

Keshi Anderson, who Blues boss Tony Mowbray brought in as one of only three changes, was quick to threaten the hosts with a shot across goal that called Stolarczyk into action.

A heavy touch from Vardy at the other end, as he tried to link up with debutant Brandon Cover, then allowed visiting goalkeeper John Ruddy to race off his line to clear a rare first-half hint of danger.

Stolarczyk then went on to make a series of fine saves before the break, foiling Jordan James, Anderson, Siriki Dembele and Stansfield, who also had a shot on the turn come off the post.

It was the combination of two players who featured in Leicester’s historic FA Cup final win of 2021 that broke the deadlock, with Vardy finding the bottom corner with his header from a pinpoint Albrighton cross.

The goal – and a triple half-time change which brought James Justin, Ricardo Pereira and Kasey McAteer on – transformed proceedings.

And Vardy was celebrating again in the 55th minute when he rounded Ruddy to roll the ball into an empty net, but his joy was short-lived as the referee’s assistant flagged for offside.

There was no disputing Akgun’s finish, as the on-loan Galatasaray winger hammered home his first Leicester goal before Praet met a cut-back pass from Tom Cannon to complete the victory with a first-time finish.