Leicester had a comfortable return to top-level football after the World Cup break, easing to a 3-0 victory at Milton Keynes Dons last night to reach the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Newcastle, Southampton and Wolves also qualified, although they made harder work of winning their ties.
Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester were in good form before Qatar, and they were too good for the League One strugglers.
The visitors struck first after 18 minutes. Harvey Barnes crossed in, and after Jamie Cumming saved Jamie Vardy’s flick, Youri Tielemans fired into the net.
On the half-hour mark, it was 2-0 with a lovely goal. Luke Thomas passed to Ayoze Perez, who produced a deft touch, cut inside and curled home.
The contest was then all over just after half-time, with Timothy Castagne crossing and Vardy heading in.
Newcastle, chasing a first domestic trophy since 1955, made it through with a hard-fought 1-0 win over boss Eddie Howe’s former side Bournemouth.
The decisive moment came 23 minutes from time, with Kieran Trippier crossing and Callum Wilson looking to get on the end of it — instead Wilson’s marker Adam Smith headed into his own net.
Elsewhere, there was a surprise start after just two minutes on the south coast, when League One Lincoln scored first against Southampton.
A corner was sliced into the air by defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles and goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, under pressure from Paudie O’Connor, could only touch the ball into his own net.
The hosts levelled after 25 minutes however, Mohamed Elyounoussi crossing in and Che Adams heading home.
And Adams scored the winner 16 minutes from time, after Elyounoussi’s overhead kick was blocked, giving new boss Nathan Jones his first win.
Julen Lopetegui’s Wolves reign began with a 2-0 win over Gillingham. Raul Jimenez scored a penalty after Hwang Hee-chan was fouled. Rayan Ait-Nouri added a second in stoppage time.
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