Joe Dodoo's goalscoring performance on his full home debut has left Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri even more excited about the young striker.
Ranieri spoke with some enthusiasm on Dodoo ahead of the Capital One Cup clash with West Ham, revealing the 20-year-old had earned the right to start the third-round tie following his hat-trick at Bury in the previous round.
And the Foxes academy product took just six minutes to get his name on the scoresheet against a strong Hammers side showing just three changes from the team that started Saturday's surprise Barclays Premier League win at Manchester City.
He made the most of a fortunate ricochet inside the penalty area to calmly and confidently guide his finish into the bottom corner of the net.
Dodoo was a menace for much of the night until his substitution in the 82nd minute, when he left the field to a standing ovation from all four sides of the King Power Stadium.
"He was fantastic," said Ranieri after Leicester progressed to round four with a 2-1 victory after extra time.
"He's very smart and he was ready to shoot at goal. Joe is good because he can smell the goal.
"When he shoots at goal he is very dangerous, and he had another chance to score. Very good.
"I'm very happy with him and excited because he's a very attentive lad and often I speak with him about his best position, how to attack and how to defend. I'm very happy with him."
Leicester remain unbeaten this season and Ranieri believes that is important as he now turns his attention back to the Premier League and the visit of Arsenal at the weekend.
"It's very good for our confidence (being unbeaten)," said the Italian.
"Now we are thinking about Arsenal, who are a team building to win the title. For us it will be a very, very good match.
"It will be a fantastic atmosphere here at King Power Stadium and I hope our fans can enjoy our football."
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic felt the tie turned on a penalty decision that did not go his team's way in the first period of extra time.
Mark Noble went down inside the box but referee Peter Bankes waved away the appeals and instead issued the Hammers captain with a yellow card for simulation.
"I think definitely we should have had one for the one on Mark Noble because he had no reason whatsoever to go down," said Bilic.
"For me it was a clear penalty and that was a crucial moment in the game at 1-1 when the (Mauro Zarate) goal had taken it to extra time."
One positive for Bilic was Andy Carroll making his first start since February after a lengthy battle with injury.
The big striker managed 63 minutes before he was replaced by Dimitri Payet. Carroll headed straight down the tunnel but Bilic eased fears over another injury problem.
He said: "There was no issue. He simply went down the tunnel to get a jacket. It was very positive to have him back."
Source: PA
