Leicester City 1-2 Southampton: Premier League – Saints Player Ratings

Southampton turned around a 0-9 result by thoroughly outplaying Leicester City in a 2-1 victory at the King Power stadium.

All the talk in the build up was the 9-0 result in the reverse fixture.  Although, Southampton appear to have wiped that day aside in their recent form and took it to Leicester from the opening whistle.  The Saints were likely motivated by the Foxes choosing to show all nine goals at King Power while the players were warming up.  A decision they may regret.  Humiliating defeat aside, it was Leicester who’s play was poor in this match, rewarding the Saints with all three points.

Southampton completely controlled the first half and were unlucky to not be two or three ahead.  Leicester were noticeably flat and could not figure out how to beat the high press.  Danny Ings was gifted an opportunity right away, but to Saints’ fans surprise, it did not hit the back of the net.  Ings looked a step or two off to begin the match, and if he was on, he could have had a hat trick 45 minutes in.  The in-form striker nicked the crossbar from a Stuart Armstrong cross and then rattled it on a rebounded shot of the highest quality.  The half ended one-one, courtesy of a Stuart Armstrong strike and a quick free kick where Jamie Vardy found Dennis Praet at the back post.

Leicester provided more of a threat in the second half, but the Saints remained the more dangerous side.  Chances continued to fall Danny Ings’ way, but a breakthrough would not come until late.  Alex McCarthy put in arguably his best performance of the season, saving a point blank header off the head of Johnny Evans and denying Kelechi Iheanacho from six yards out.

Maybe most rewarding was seeing Che Adams off the bench as an impact sub.  Receiving the ball in midfield, he turned out of trouble and played a quick one-two with Nathan Redmond.  Adams then spotted Ings out of the corner of his eye, chopping a pass into his path for the game-winning goal.  Amidst speculation of Leeds United desire to get him on loan, this was a big moment for a player fans are desperate to see produce.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has to be praised for this team’s turnaround.  Yes, Leicester were coming off a midweek semi-final, but the overall performance from Southampton was deserving.  There appears to be some exciting football to come and it is attributed to mentality, belief, and our manager.  Here are the player ratings for the Saints from the Leicester match.