‘They were better than us in both boxes’ – Millwall head coach on FA Cup defeat to Leicester City

Millwall head coach Joe Edwards felt that Leicester City’s extra quality in both boxes was the difference as the South London club exited the FA Cup at the third round stage.

The Lions bowed out of the competition after the second five-goal encounter against the Championship leaders this season.

Millwall created chances in the opening 45 minutes but it was visitors who showed a clinical touch, finishing their two big openings in the first period.

First Cesare Casedei headed home Marc Albrighton’s cross and then Leicester produced an incisive attack after Kevin Nisbet was unable to retain the ball as the hosts attempted to play out of a press, with captain Ricardo Pereira finishing smartly across Matija Sarkic.

That 2-0 scoreline was at least a little unjust on Millwall and they managed to cut the deficit in the 56th minute, Duncan Watmore converted after Zian Flemming’s header from George Honeyman’s corner dropped sweetly for him.

Leicester quickly restored their two-goal advantage. Sarkic made two smart double saves in the second half but was beaten to Callum Doyle’s defence-splitting pass as he raced out of his area, Tom Cannon took the ball around the Lions keeper and finished.

Flemming made it 3-2 on 86 minutes. Joe Bryan’s corner dropped on the penalty spot and the Dutchman met it first time on the volley.

Asked about the end product being the difference, Edwards said: “Yeah, in both boxes. I was pleased with how much we created from our possession.

“We’ve spoken a lot since I’ve been here that we want more of the ball. But it is about what we’re doing when we’ve got it. The standout positive was we played out a lot from our goalkeeper – playing short into our defenders – but the outcome was that we were playing through Leicester and getting into their final third a lot.

“We’ve had other games where we’ve started to look a team that has a clear idea in possession but not really created much. To have that many shots is a positive but the flipside is we make a couple of minor areas around our own box – compounded with the high level of quality they have got – and before you know it you are two goals down, scratching your head and asking why.

“Those are the margins. We were probably the better team between the two boxes but in both boxes they dominated. They were clinical in ours and we weren’t quite in their one. Still a lot of positives in the performance.

“They made changes and we looked a more comfortable team in what we were doing in the game – but the Pereira goal is an example. If you look at our error for it, you can critique us, but they are only fine margins. If a player of his level can cut through us and finish like that, it can be the difference.

“We had more than enough opportunities in their box but just weren’t quite the same. Goals decide games.”