Southampton 2-3 Leicester: Three Foxes who impressed in comeback victory

Eight games were played, nine points were gained, and 14th in the Premier League. Steve Cooper can be criticised for some poor team selection and choices during matches. Still, overall, Leicester City can see that they have beaten a potential relegation rival, a midtable rival, and drawn to arguably more established teams. It has not been terrible.

However, the revival seen during our face-off with the Saints is not the result of an initially strong team selection or correct tactics. Instead, the King Power side altered how they played in the second half, became more positive, and used the right players: they grew into a more impactful side.

This is in no small part due to a small selection of players who kept the Foxes in the game, turned the match on its head, and showed Southampton the strength of Leicester.

Three Leicester City Players who Impressed

The King Power's youthful bundle of energy and passion - Abdul Fatawu - is undoubtedly a major part of why Cooper's team was able to come back from being 2-0 down at halftime. After being subbed on in the 59th minute, our side would go on to score in the 64th, with a Jamie Vardy penalty in the 74th, and 98th minutes to complete the comeback victory.

Of course, Fatawu does more than simply 'come on and we start winning'. What the young winger brings to the table is what we are constantly crying out for that explosive demand to drive forward, to try and win the ball high, to try and get a shot off. He is selfish, but not just for goals, he wants assists and wants to be that creative focal point on the wings. Just imagine if Fatawu had Ricardo Pereira playing with him on that flank.

During the tie, the right-winger got the first assist for Facundo Buonanotte after beating his man by - guess what - running at them and just getting the ball into the danger area however he could. That sense of creating danger for the defence is exactly what Leicester City needed to unsettle Southampton and give them a good chance of getting into the game. Abdul Fatawu is a real game-changer.

There could have been no goal however without that Argentinian loanee. They say not to fall in love with a loan transfer, but as with Fatawu, I feel a strong sense that Buonanotte is going to be admired by Foxes supporters. The player has scored thrice for the Foxes, twice in the last two fixtures, and brings gravitas and energy to the team we rarely witness. Regardless of whether on the right or through the middle, the Argentine just keeps running.

Against the Saints, Buonanotte scored his only on-target shot, made numerous deadly passes, won the majority of his duels with defenders, and therefore drove Leicester City into more opportune spaces for a shot. The attacking midfielder brings that instinct for attacking positioning to the side which we desperately need in our bid to remain a Premier League side.

No list could be complete without a recognition piece. Undersold, under-promised, and understood by supporters to be the least necessary and most panicked purchase, Jordan Ayew has honestly been good for Leicester.

Ayew does not have many goals, no assists, and certainly has not blocked any clear efforts on Mads Hermansen's goal. Nevertheless, what the player has done whenever on the pitch is nothing short of vital work: leg work to be precise. The forward just gets around the pitch, helps attackers, midfielders, and defensive midfielders to do their roles or have an option for passing off to someone else.

That more unnoticed work is partially visible in his ball recovery stats. The player's primary contribution to the team is getting back, recovering the ball, and kick-starting the Foxes drive forward. That was crucial during the short time Ayew was on the pitch.