LEICESTER City manager Brendan Rodgers has praised Ademola Lookman for his role in the side’s progress to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Lookman, born in England but on the verge of getting drafted into the Nigeria national team, scored Leicester City’s second goal in the 2-2 draw with Brighton at the King Power Stadium on Wednesday night.
Leicester City went on to win 4-2 on penalties.
“It was very pleasing,” Rodgers told LCFC TV, referring to Lookman’s instinctive finish that quickly restored Leicester City’s lead after Brighton’s first equaliser.
“We took the first goal very well, pressed the game well, and Barnesy gets in and finishes. [For the second goal], from the kick-off, we press the game well again and then Ade gets in and finishes really well. “I’m delighted for both those boys.
“They’ve just been unfortunate they haven’t been able to play. Other guys have been doing really well. They’ve known they’ll be able to come in and effect the game.”
Lookman, who is on loan from RB Leipzig, has made eight appearances this season, scoring two goals.
The 24-year-old former England youth international has made just four starts in all competitions and was an unused substitute in Leicester City’s previous three matches before Wednesday’s fixture.
Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho played the last 20 minutes of Wednesday’s win as Rodgers rested several regular players.
The manager was however pleased with the performance of his fringe players.
“It was a good victory for us,” the Northern Irishman said. “Of course, whenever you’ve got lots of players coming in who haven’t had a lot of game time, I thought we looked a little tired in the second half.
“But what you can’t question is the players’ mentality and their spirit. They showed great qualities, especially when they got the equaliser and we were able to score straight away. I’m delighted for the guys. They had to work very, very hard for it.
“Brighton are a good side, you can see they pass the ball well, but we always looked a threat. Your spirit can never be broken. There are some teams that can get pegged back and just don’t have that belief.
“Given everything, we had five Academy boys within the game, so that’s great to see them getting that experience. That’s a great education for them.
“We’ve always said our mindset is: ‘Listen, you’re never going to have it all your own way’. If you do go behind, or you do go level in the game, you keep pushing right to the very end.”
