In the last game of the season, Leicester City hosted Southampton at King Power Stadium. The Foxes would end their season on a four-game unbeaten streak, winning 4-1. This leaves LCFC with 52 points and an eighth place finish in the Premier League.
Brendan Rodgers came into this game with a 4-2-3-1 formation. The starting eleven included familiar names such as Jamie Vardy and James Maddison. Rodgers also had Youri Tielemans, who has likely played his last game in a Leicester uniform.
The first half started off slowly. as there was not a single shot on target for either team. There were chances for potential opportunities; however, sloppy play prevented LCFC from being able to do any serious attacking play in the initial 45 minutes. The Foxes defense was great: James Justin, Wesley Fofana and Jonny Evans left the Saints clueless.
Then came an eventful second half. Maddison got the goal-fest started when he scored a rebound following a saved Vardy shot. Kasper Schmeichel created the chance when he booted the ball from his own box; Southampton’s Lyanco headed the ball right to Vardy and then didn’t get back in time. Alex McCarthy made a good save, but it wasn’t enough.
Vardy subsequently finished a beautiful move in the 74th minute. Harvey Barnes took the ball from our half, up all the way up the pitch. Barnes then lobbed it into the box and the No.9 got a great touch on it and was then patient and cut to his right which left Lyanco lost. Vardy then netted to give Leicester a 2-0 lead.
A penalty giveaway by Tielemans was executed by the deadly James Ward-Prowse, helping Southampton cut the deficit in two. But, super-subtitute Ayoze Pérez would bury one in the 81st and 90+6 minutes to help the East Midlands team win 4-1. as Maddison had a goal and an assist.
Leicester City Player ratings
Kasper Schmeichel 7 – It was an easier day in the officer for Schmeichel, as he only had to deal with one shot during live play; which he saved. However, a foul from Tielemans left Schmeichel having to save a penalty from JWP, which is no easy task. Despite having a dry day between the goalposts, Schmeichel contributed a huge part to LCFC scoring their first goal, as he launched the ball from his box towards Vardy’s direction.
James Justin 8 – Justin looked fantastic out there and he is one of the reasons Schmeichel had an easy day today. He was making great tackles and was marking anyone who came his way. When he made his way up the pitch, he made the passes that were needed and helped our offense roll smoothly.
Wesley Fofana 8 – Another great game by Fofana. He was a penalty away from giving the foxes their eighth clean sheet in the league. Fofana was making beautiful standing and sliding tackles throughout the game. Southampton’s attack was just not able to figure out Fofana today. He was too quick for their counter-attack and he was too strong and wise for the possession play.
Jonny Evans 8 – An awesome game from Evans. Not only did he show us his skill in this game, but he showed us his heart as well. He and Adam Armstrong had a bad clash of heads, but Evans was able to power through. He played fantastic the whole game.
Timothy Castagne 7 – Castagne played well at right-back until he was subbed off in the 69’. He also held Southampton from cutting in and was able to keep them outside. Despite a good defensive effort, Castagne missed some key opportunities in the first half which kept us goaless in the first half.
Nampalys Mendy 7 – It was a good game from Mendy. He didn’t contribute much to the stat sheet. But he was able to help get back and defend while also getting up to help move the ball forward.
Youri Tielemans 6 – In what was likely Tielemans’s last game with the team, he didn’t have a memorable performance. There was not much contribution on offense or defense. His penalty caused Leicester to give up their only goal of the game.
Harvey Barnes 7 – Barnes was great on the attack today. His pace and dribbling caused Southampton a lot of problems today. He was able to take the ball from the foxes’ half to the saint’s half like it was effortless. However, Barnes had some questionable decision-making that stopped Brendan Rodger’s side from scoring even more goals.
Kevin Dewsbury-Hall 7 – Despite having a fantastic season, KDH didn’t have the most fantastic ending. He made no major mistakes, but he didn’t have many major contributions as well. He would end up getting subbed off for Pérez in the 62’ minute. Please click the below link to go directly to the final section of Leicester player scores.
James Maddison 9 – This was another great game for Leicester’s player of the season. Maddison scored a goal today which was his fourth straight game with at least a goal. He also bagged an awesome assist to Pérez in the 81’ minute. Madders is the most creative player on the team. Today he showed us again on how he can score and pass the ball. A true attacking midfielder.
Jamie Vardy 8 – There were some questionable moments from Vardy at the start of the game. He was able to turn it around and give us a goal and some more chances. His pressure was giving Southampton defenders issues.
Substitutions
Ayoze Pérez – Talk about a great substitution from Brendan Rodgers. Pérez came on in the 62’ minute and ended up scoring a brace. He had great finishing today and was always in the right spot.
Ricardo Pereira – Came on for Castagne in the 69’ minute and provided more help for our offensive attack. He was defending well as well. But, his contributions this game came from moving the ball on the offensive end.
Ademola Lookman – Lookman did not do much when he was subbed on for Barnes in the 77’ minute. It will be interesting to see if Leicester brings him back this summer.
Daniel Amartey – He was subbed on for Maddison in the 82’ so LCFC could play more defensive. Amartey was great this season and he deserved to play in the last game.