Puel stands by Schmeichel after FA Cup blunder

Leicester City boss Claude Puel refused to criticise goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel despite his late blunder which enabled Chelsea to secure a 2-1 win at the King Power Stadium.

Schmeichel came charging off his line on the stroke of half-time in extra-time, making it a more straightforward task for Pedro to nod in N’Golo Kante’s speculative cross and give Chelsea a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.

The Denmark international was earlier beaten by Alvaro Morata’s first goal since Boxing Day before Jamie Vardy’s second-half leveller sent the last-eight tie beyond the 90 minutes.

Puel told BBC Sport: “I think since the beginning Kasper has been a fantastic goalkeeper. In goal there is always a mistake, but he has been fantastic.

“I can’t say anything wrong about him – he’s a fantastic keeper. We are unlucky today.”

Puel felt his side deserved more from an entertaining encounter, adding: “I’m a bit upset at the moment because I think we deserved another result.

“They found a good clinical edge. Morata’s goal was the only chance of the first half, it was harsh to concede just before half-time. But we came back with more calm and more quality.

“I’m proud of my players because it was a game with a high level against a good team. We improved and we deserve another result.”

FULL-TIME: LEICESTER CITY 1-2 CHELSEA! (AET)

WE’RE THROUGH TO THE SEMI-FINALS! #LEICHE pic.twitter.com/ruRkdvPnR7

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 18, 2018