FA Cup holders Leicester thrashed by Nottingham Forest

Updated: May 17, 2023, 04:59 am

Leicester City's hopes of retaining the FA Cup came to a brutal end as they suffered a 4-1 drubbing away to Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest in the fourth round at a rocking City Ground on Sunday (stream a replay on ESPN+, U.S. only).

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In the first clash between the clubs for eight years, a rampant Forest scored three times in 10 manic first-half minutes with Philip Zinckernagel, Brennan Johnson and Joe Worrall all punishing some flimsy Leicester defending.

Forest's buoyant fans were briefly silenced when Leicester grabbed a lifeline before halftime as Kelechi Iheanacho pounced on an error to score from an acute angle.

Brennan Johnson of Nottingham Forest celebrates after scoring their team's second goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Nottingham Forest and Leicester City
Brennan Johnson of Nottingham Forest celebrates after scoring their team's second goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Nottingham Forest and Leicester City
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

But there was no stopping the hosts and they continued to dominate their supposed superiors after the break and restored their three-goal margin when Djed Spence slotted home.

Forest have now beaten Arsenal, the FA Cup's most successful club, and the holders in consecutive rounds and will be eyeing a quarterfinal place after being drawn to play Championship rivals Huddersfield Town in round five.

The game was marred by an ugly incident when a Leicester supporter ran on to the pitch and attacked Forest players. The fan charged on after Forest's third goal and appeared to land punches before being bundled away. Leicester issued a statement to say they are appalled and apologised to Forest.