Leicester brush aside MK Dons to book spot in Carabao Cup quarter-finals

Leicester will be eyeing up a tilt at the Carabao Cup after easing into the quarter-finals with 3-0 win at MK Dons.

The Foxes resumed their season after a 39-day break for the World Cup in style as goals from Youri Tielemans, Ayoze Perez and Jamie Vardy booked their spot in the last eight.

With Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham already out and one of Manchester City or Liverpool following them after their tie on Thursday night, this year’s competition represents a real chance to break the stranglehold held by the top-six clubs going back to Swansea’s win in 2013.

Leicester, who were FA Cup winners in 2021, have a rich history in the League Cup with two memorable successes in 1997 and 2000 and will consider themselves one of the clubs capable of going all the way.

Progression against the League One strugglers was never in doubt, with Tielemans and Perez scoring before the break and Vardy adding another in the second half.

The Dons, who are managerless after Liam Manning’s sacking 10 days ago, were taken by veteran midfielder Bradley Johnson as he stepped in for interim boss Dean Lewington, who had hamstring surgery earlier in the day, and this experience might make him think again of a coaching career.

The Foxes showed no signs of rustiness as they started brightly and had wasted a couple of decent chances by the time they took an 18th-minute lead.

A defence-splitting pass from Luke Thomas sent Harvey Barnes clear down the left and he looked primed to tee up Vardy, but his cross was just behind the former England international, who adapted quickly and tried to flick the ball home from behind him.

It was saved by Dons goalkeeper Jamie Cumming, but the rebound fell straight to Tielemans, who powered home from 12 yards out.

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