Gilchrist was an unused substitute as Leicester won the 2000 Football League Cup Final. He made 23 Premier League starts for Leicester, scoring once in a 2–0 win over Liverpool at Anfield, before moving on to West Bromwich Albion for £500,000 in March 2001. He made his debut for Albion in a 2–1 win over Tranmere Rovers on 25 March 2001. He was a regular during 2001–02, forming part of a solid defence which notched up a club record 27 clean sheets and helping Albion win promotion to the Premiership. In all, Gilchrist made over 100 appearances for Albion in all competitions.