Leicester City are through to their first FA Cup final match appearance in England since 1969 after Kelechi Iheanacho edged Brendan Rodgers’ side past Southampton.

It all happened on a night when thousands of spectators returned to Wembley.

After Chelsea overcame Manchester City in front of empty stands on Saturday, the following evening saw 4,000 residents, including key workers, make up England’s biggest crowd for 13 months.

A number of Leicester City and Southampton fans were among those at Sunday’s semi-final, with in-form Iheanacho settling the tie.

The Nigerian slotted home early in the second half to seal a 1-0 victory under the arch.

There was expected to be 21,000 in attendance —— including far more supporters —— when the Foxes return to Wembley on May 15 to take on Chelsea.

Then, they will be looking to win their first-ever FA Cup.

Hopefully, the showpiece will be more exciting than the drab semi-final.

At least Sunday’s match was memorable for the return of spectators, with Leicester City edging a cagey first half.

They then landed a 55th-minute gut punch just as Saints looked to be waking up.

Jamie Vardy, who wasted the best chance of the opening period, got free down the left and crossed for in-form Iheanacho.

His poor first effort kindly deflected back to him, and he slotted home.

Saints launched a meek response for a leveller as they quickly ran out of ideas and energy.

But their dreams of replicating their 1976 triumph ended as Leicester City’s bid to make history continues. There were cheers and applause at the end of a match that doubled up as one of the government’s pilot events.

All those in attendance had to prove they had tested negative for coronavirus before the game.

‘Come on, Leicester’ and ‘Oh, when the Saints’ echoed around Wembley in the opening minutes of a match that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men started particularly nervily.

(dpa/NAN)