Leicester dump out Spurs to claim Fifth Round spot

Late goals from Leonardo Ulloa and Jeffery Schlupp helped Leicester come from behind after Andros Townsend gave Tottenham the lead from the penalty spot.

The win sends Leicester into the Fifth Round of the Cup for only the second time in the last ten years and afterwards Pearson said he felt they fully deserved the win.

“This season we have found ourselves playing well in a lot of games and not getting the results some of our performances have warranted”, said Pearson.

“But our performance today was very encouraging – we showed some resilience defensively and a lot of knowhow.

“We created chance throughout the game and I think going into the game with such an attacking and pacey formation was really beneficial for us.”

Leicester’s £9million record signing, Andrej Kramaric, made his full debut for the club and was a constant threat during the 70 minutes he was on the field.

And after the game Pearson was delighted with the Croatian striker’s performance. 

Townsend slots Spurs ahead from the penalty spot at White Hart Lane

“I am really pleased with his contribution today – I thought he looked dangerous and made some really intelligent runs so I’m delighted”, added Pearson.

“He is a very level-headed guy and today is really good experience for him. It gives us a chance to use him in a game that allows him to acclimatise against a Premier League team. He is going to be an important player for us.”

Kramaric was not the only player making his Leicester debut, though.

At the age of 42 Mark Schwarzer also made his first start for the Foxes, becoming their oldest-ever representative in the process.

And Pearson said his performance showed why he could become the perfect signing for Leicester as they bid to avoid Premier League relegation.

“I know him very well and I know how old he is because he played with me,” he said.

“I’m delighted to have him and if anyone had any doubts about whether he should still be operating at the top level then today’s performance is a good example of both his game management and his ability to make crucial saves.”

The fixture was Tottenham’s seventh of nine games in a busy January for Mauricio Pochettino’s side and this was reflected with the nine changes he made to the starting XI that beat Sheffield United mid-week.

But having lead for such a long period of the game – thanks to Townsend’s 19th-minute penalty - the Argentinian manager said the changes were no excuse.

“That has been our way from the beginning of the season – we have to make changes – it does not justify the results,” he said

“It is very disappointing and I am a little bit upset because looking at the game I think we deserved more.

“During the game played well but we need to kill the game. In the second half we created chances but we always gave Leicester the opportunity to be alive.”

This was only the second time Tottenham have lost in their last 11 matches.

And with their next game being the second leg of the League Cup semi-final against Sheffield United and Pochettino says his side will need to regroup as quickly as they can.

“It is important to keep our motivation and keep our confidence because we need to give one of our best performances on Wednesday because we expect a very tough game,” he said.

“You always want to be in the next round of the FA Cup and at 1-0 on 83 minutes it makes me upset.”

Tottenham Hotspur (4-1-4-1): 13 Michel Vorm; 6 Vlad Chiriches, 4 Younes Kaboul (c), 21 Frederico Fazio, 3 Danny Rose; 29 Etienne Capoue; 19 Mousa Dembele, 17 Andros Townsend, 8 Paulinho, 11 Eric Lamela; 9 Roberto Soldado.

Substitutes: 23 Christian Eriksen for Townsend 64, 10 Emmanuel Adebayor for Soldado 70, 18 Harry Kane for Dembele 87

Substitutes not used: 24 Brad Friedel, 33 Ben Davies, 15 Eric Dier, 25 Benjamin Stambouli

Goals: Townsend 19pen

Leicester (4-4-2): 32 Mark Schwarzer, 17 Danny Simpson, 5 Wes Morgan, 18 Liam Moore, 2 Ritchie De Laet; 9 Jamie Vardy, 4 Danny Drinkwater, 10 Andy King, 15 Jeff Schlupp, 23 Leonardo Ulloa, 40 Andrej Kramaric

Substitues: 27 Marcin Wasilewski for Moore 26, 11 Marc Albrighton for Kramaric 73, 35 David Nugent for Vardy 73.

Substitutues not used: 12 Ben Hamer, 3 Paul Konchesky, 19 Esteban Cambiasso, 24 Anthony Knockaert

Goals: Ulloa 83, Schlupp 90.

Referee: Robert Madley.