Sindre Walle Egeli scored as Ipswich Town beat Leicester City in the Carabao Cup (Image: Ross Halls)
Sindre Walle Egeli scored as Ipswich Town beat Leicester City in the Carabao Cup (Image: Ross Halls)
Sindre Walle Egeli admitted that Ipswich Town found it tough to get past Leicester City in the Carabao Cup, but was pleased that they could progress to the third round of the competition.
The Blues battled hard in the first half but failed to find the back of the net, with their opener coming after the interval as Walle Egeli capped off a slick move to make it 1-0.
The Foxes equalised from a corner, but a stunning brace from Marcelino Nunez was enough to take Town through in the competition.
“It was a tough one,” Walle Egeli said after the game. “They played a lot of short passes.
“We had to run a lot but in the end we got the win and we deserved it. It was a very good performance.
“You can call them a League One team, but I think they are a little bit higher than that level. They played a good game, we played a good game.
“It was a tough match but we got there in the end.”
Manager Gary O’Neil made nine changes for the match, with skipper Dara O’Shea and Nunez the only two to keep their places.
The attacker capped off a fine team move to make it 1-0
(Image: Steve Waller)
Walle Egeli was among those given an opportunity to impress, and he feels that he and his team-mates did a good job with their display.
“We have a lot of players now, so I think we need to keep everyone on their toes and everyone ready,” he explained.
“I think a lot of guys performed very well today to try and push the other guys. All in all, it was a very positive performance.
“I think it would be very good for the team if we go on a cup run.
“It was a very important win today, and then we have another match in two or three weeks.
“I think it was very important to actually win this game. We took it very seriously. That was very clear from the beginning.
“It was a massive win.”
Walle Egeli was, however, part of an attacking trio played out of position in the first half of the game.
The Norwegian, who prefers to play as a no.10, operated on the right, with Clarke playing through the middle and Kasey McAteer on the left.
Walle Egeli started the game as a no.10 (Image: Ross Halls)
It didn’t really work, and O’Neil switched things up after the half-time break.
“Of course, it always takes time to get into a match,” Walle Egeli argued.
“I think we're all versatile players. In the second half we switched it around again. I think it worked well in both halves, but maybe a little bit better in the second half.”
Crucially, Walle Egeli got on the scoresheet for the first time in a competitive match at club level since the last meeting between Town and Leicester – a 1-1 draw back in March.
Chuba Akpom and Clarke both played their part in the build-up, allowing the former Nordsjaelland man to bag his fifth goal for the Blues.
“I think I almost had too much time to think!” he chuckled. “But in the end it was a nice finish.
“Chuba did well. He's been so good the last two months. It's been really good to see.
“Clarke has also been top, so it's easy when you play with these top players.”
Nunez ended up sealing the win, scoring twice. The second really caught the eye – a stunning strike from just inside the centre circle which cannoned in off the crossbar.
Marcelino Nunez's second goal was scored from just inside the centre circle (Image: Steve Waller)
If he missed, Walle Egeli wouldn’t have been happy.
“He's crazy!” the 20-year-old said. “I told him if he didn’t score there I would have killed him, honestly, because I was open and through on goal.
“This guy is crazy. Such a lovely finish and top player. He’s got one of the best shots I've ever seen in football.”
Now, Walle Egeli has his sights set on two huge Premier League games.
But the next round of the Carabao Cup is fast approaching, and unsurprisingly, he hopes to face the club he grew up supporting.
“I think you can get all the biggest teams,” he stated. “A big team at home would be good.
“Liverpool maybe. Back-to-back Liverpool would be good.”