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Leicester City vs Southampton: Three Takeaway Thoughts from the Match

By Alastair Case

Leicester City's English midfielder James Maddison (R) shoots to score the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Southampton at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on January 16, 2021. (Photo by Alex Pantling / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ALEX PANTLING/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Leicester City's English midfielder James Maddison (R) shoots to score the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Leicester City and Southampton at King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on January 16, 2021. (Photo by Alex Pantling / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ALEX PANTLING/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Southampton’s English striker Dan N’Lundulu (L) (Photo by TIM KEETON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton’s English striker Dan N’Lundulu (L) (Photo by TIM KEETON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

A much depleted Southampton side succumbed to a two nil defeat at Leicester City, with goals from Messrs. Maddison and Barnes proving sufficient to get the Foxes over the line.

With both sides amongst this season’s high fliers, there was a lot of focus on this clash and despite the scoreline, it was a relatively even clash. In their defence, Southampton were missing several key players, including top goal scorer Danny Ings, midfield lynchpin Oriol Romeu and this years revelation, Jannik Vestergaard.

Youngster Will Smallbone was given the unenviable task of providing some attacking flair in the absence of Ings, Djenepo and Redmond but after a slow start, the 20 year old Irishman became increasingly influential. Unfortunately an injury prevented Smallbone from completing the game and with the squad decimated by the impact of injury and COVID, the majority of the replacements on the bench were academy graduates.

There was an element of controversy about the first Leicester goal, as referee Stuart Atwell missed a blatant foul on Diallo but there was no doubt about the quality of Maddison’s finish. The English midfielder rolled a weak challenge from Stephens and blasted a powerful shot past McCarthy at the near post.

The impressive Harvey Barnes wrapped things up in second half stoppage time with a cool finish. Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl revealed he was pleased with his side’s industry and dedication but admitted that he was concerned about the injury crisis at the club.

Here are three takeaways from the game: