Leicester City were hoping to get back on a good run after defeats to Manchester United and Arsenal in the Premier League. The Foxes were searching for a win against Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium to boost their survival hopes and push them further from the relegation zone.
Southampton were hoping to record their second win at home this season after five straight home defeats in the Premier League. The Saints were sat rock-bottom of the table with all three points potentially lifting them off and into 19th. Leicester could’ve boosted themselves up to 12th with results around them going in their favour.
Brendan Rodgers made three changes to his LCFC side that lost 1-0 to Arsenal in the Premier League last weekend. Victor Kristiansen, out with an ankle injury, was replaced by Ricardo Pereira who made his first start this season. Mendy returned to the Leicester side to replace Wilfred Ndidi and James Maddison also returned after illness to replace Dennis Praet.
It looked as if Leicester were off to a good start until Timothy Castagne gave away a penalty for a handball in the box. Danny Ward stepped up as saviour with an excellent save to deny Southampton’s captain James Ward-Prowse’s strike.
In the 35th minute, Southampton broke away with the ball and cut the Leicester defence open with a ball in behind before Carlos Alcaraz put the Saints ahead. Leicester were the better side but they couldn’t put their chances away which ultimately cost them the game. The match finished 1-0 to Southampton.
Leicester City goalkeeper and defenders
Danny Ward: 6 – made a good save for James Ward-Prowse’s penalty, didn’t have a lot to do, didn’t look like saving the goal, he didn’t even attempt to dive for it.
Ricardo Pereira: 6 – was good to see him back after so long out, he looked fresh and ready. He was good going forward and tried to find Iheanacho or Tete. Linked up nicely with Tete and Maddison at one point to create a good chance in the Southampton box.
Harry Souttar: 6 – closed down the angle, won headers, made some good blocks, came so close to a goal when he hit the bar in the last few seconds.
Wout Faes: 5 – played poor passes that gave the ball away too often in dangerous positions, made a few important interceptions to stop dangerous Saints attacks.
Timothy Castagne: 5 – conceded the penalty which was unfortunate but clumsy, didn’t look like his usual self on the left, he didn’t get forward as much or play as many quick passes.
Midfielders and striker
Nampalys Mendy: 6 – didn’t make as much of a defensive impact as he usually does, did pick the ball up well in the middle, could’ve held onto the ball more, made a few silly passes.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: 5 – won the ball and did the dirty work, held the ball well, played some nice passes, but was slow.
James Maddison: 7 – created space, played some really nice forward balls, found Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Pereira, and Tete well, linked up nicely with Iheanacho.
Tete: 5 – won the ball early on and made some forward runs, played a nice corner with Maddison, lost the ball, Southampton piled two or three men on him so he couldn’t get a cross into the box.
Kelechi Iheanacho: 5 – missed three massive chances, didn’t have a single shot on target, but
Harvey Barnes: 4 – lost the ball too much, didn’t look interested in the game at times, played poor passes to opponents; did produce a testing cross into Iheanacho.
Substitutions
Dennis Praet: 6 – provided a cross not long after he came on for one of iheanacho’s chances, lost the width on that side, more of a threat.
Jamie Vardy: 4 – failed to make an impact on a game again, disappeared into the game.
Wilfred Ndidi: 5 – stepped up to make challenges to prevent SFC chances.