Manager Goalkeeper and Defenders
Manager-Ralph Hasenhüttl- 10
Injuries, suspensions, and then a man sent off before the end of the first half. The match had all the ingredients to make a concoction for disaster against Leicester. Southampton hadn’t even scored in this fixture since David Conley back in 2011 (according to a tweet from Adam Blackmore).
So, the fact that Hasenhüttl masterminded not just a result but a win is a remarkable achievement.
Saints counterattacked well in the first half and defended with stubborn discipline in the second. The gaffer deserves credit for ensuring his side remained defensively disciplined and difficult to break down. The Foxes were forced into long-range efforts and relatively straightforward crosses into the box.
Although the opposition certainly had chances to take a share of the spoils, opportunities were made difficult by a side on top form at the back.
In short, the Austrian’s tactics were spot on.
Goalkeeper- Alex McCarthy- 8
Given that McCarthy had been dropped from the outings at Chelsea and Derby County respectively, it was something of a surprise to find his name in the starting 11. Nevertheless, the Keeper made it worth his managers while.
He made most of the required saves, rushed out when needed, made decisive punches, and played his part for Long’s goal with a strong kick upfield.
The only thing that stops his mark from being higher is that he perhaps could have done better for Leicester’s scrappy goal. The number one went down early, when it would have perhaps been better to stay upright to block the shot.
Centre Back-Jan Bednarek- 10
With his last gasp clearance in the first 45, Bednarek went a long way to securing himself a standout game. For that moment the Centre Back takes all the credit, but his work within the unit made the difference. As the rest of the ratings will prove, their were very few errors due to Bednarek and his colleagues focus and willingness to get stuck in.
Centre Back- Jannik Vestergaard- 9.5
As previously mentioned, SFC managed a backs to the wall rearguard action for over 45 minutes. As one man in red and white missed a potential clearance there was another behind him ready to pick up the slack.
The work load primarily consisted of winning headers and or whacking the ball as far into the opposite half as possible. Not exactly total football we’ll admit, but it was effective.
In that vein Vestergaard played his role well and didn’t put a foot wrong. This is particularly impressive given that the defender was up against the pace of Jamie Vardy. The Striker found it difficult to make inroads into a deep-set backline and failed to take advantage of the Dane’s lack of pace.
Jack Stephens-Centre Back- 9.5
As with the rest of his colleagues Stephens manned the barricades and didn’t give his opposite numbers a lot to work with. Yes, on another day the goal could have been prevented, but on that other day Southampton probably would have found another way to cough up the crucial two goal lead.
Stephens made the blocks and the challenges which is all you can ask from a side down to 10 men.
Yan Valery-Right Back- 3
“It’s all fun and games ’til somebody loses their mind” as a Taylor Swift song once said, and Valery certainly lost his.
A small scrap, a dive to try and win a penalty, two silly challenges, and two first half yellow cards, all adds up to equal a very very poor day. The French teen put his team in a precarious position and could have cost the side big due to reckless decision-making.
Matt Targett-Left Back- 9.5
In short, Targett did his part of a vital defensive job. Given the Saints’ porous nature in the past, it was refreshing to see a relatively composed and professional job. After two strong performances, against Chelsea and now Claude Puel’s men one more and you could almost call it a habit.