REPORT: Southampton 2 Leicester 2

Leicester fought back to earn a draw at St Mary’s after a disappointing second half display from Southampton. Goals from José Fonte and Virgil van Dijk put Saints in control, but Jamie Vardy scored a brace to hand his side a point.

Ronald Koeman made two switches to his starting line-up, as James Ward-Prowse replaced Oriol Romeu, while Kelvin Davis deputised in goal for the injured Maarten Stekelenburg. Meanwhile, Claudio Ranieri named an unchanged side.

Leicester were first to make an impression on the game as Kelvin Davis flapped at a left-wing cross which was whipped into the box. The visitors continued to pressure their hosts, and Marc Albrighton picked Vardy out with a cross, but the striker lashed the ball into the Chapel. The visitors’ impressive start was not an ideal scenario to ease Kelvin Davis into his first appearance since the tail end of last season, and there was panic in the Saints box once more, as Van Dijk and the veteran ‘keeper got their signals crossed before the ball fell into the club captain’s arms. The Dutch centre-back then nearly opened the scoring down the other end. A Ward-Prowse corner found him at the back post, but his header was cleared off the line. Southampton continued to put their stamp on proceedings, and they found the breakthrough in the 20^th minute. Having been awarded their third corner in a short space of time, Dušan Tadić curled the ball to the near post where Fonte cleverly headed across Kasper Schmeichel and into the far corner.

The hosts began to exert pressure on their opponents from that moment. Steven Davis moved back to aid Victor Wanyama in defensive midfield while Ward-Prowse supported Graziano Pellè, as the Northern Irish captain used his experience to thwart the intricate play of Danny Drinkwater – much of Leicester’s early success had emanated from their midfielder. This allowed Saints’ attacking play to flourish, illustrated once again by Tadić’s relationship with Ryan Bertrand down the left wing, but the home team were still creating little from open play despite being comfortable in possession. This was not proving to be an issue though, as they struck from a set piece once again. Shortly after a corner, Ward-Prowse curled the ball towards the head of Pellè who rose well to meet it, but his effort came off the far post – only for Van Dijk to bundle the ball onto the upright again, before finding the net from close range at the second attempt. The centre-back was stood in an offside position however the assistant referee did not raise his flag. Saints were now cruising, although Leicester did give a warning to their hosts, as Drinkwater drove a shot towards goal from 25 yards out, but Kelvin Davis tipped the ball over the bar.

Claudio Ranieri elected to alter his side at half-time – Jeffrey Schlupp and Shinji Okazaki made way for Riyad Mahrez and Nathan Dyer. This changed the Foxes’ shape, as they formed a 4-2-3-1 as opposed to the 4-4-2 used in the first period; Dyer played on the right wing, Albrighton on the left, with Mahrez now occupying the No 10 role behind Vardy. Yet, it was Southampton who had the chance to kill the game in the 54^th minute. A long ball evaded the Leicester defence and Sadio Mané raced onto it before rounding Schmeichel who had ventured out of his box, but the Senegalese dawdled, and the visitors managed to clear their lines. This proved to be a vital moment in the game, as Leicester began to assert their authority. They were pressing Southampton extremely high, and the hosts were unable to cope – continually conceding possession as the centre-backs could not find a man upfield. Pellè was also having difficulty holding the ball and easing the pressure on his team, when it was successfully lobbed in the Italian’s direction.

On the hour mark, Koeman decided to change his side, with Maya Yoshida replacing Cédric Soares, and Steven Davis making way for Jordy Clasie. The Dutchman struggled to keep up with the pace of the game on his Premier League debut, while Wanyama was cautious in his play having been booked in the first half for a naïve and unnecessary collection of fouls. While Steven Davis had kept Saints ticking over in possession as Leicester began to apply pressure, Clasie seemed to be overawed with the ball continually bypassing the midfielder. Southampton’s lethargic play allowed Leicester more space to create opportunities, and they converted one in the 68^th minute. Former Saint Dyer twisted and turned past Van Dijk, before clipping the ball to Vardy who slammed a low header past Kelvin Davis. The Foxes who have built a reputation as comeback specialists this season were now confident of gaining a point. Mahrez span down the left side of the box before expertly picking Vardy out, but he sent his effort over the bar. Minutes later, Saints had a rare moment of respite, as Mané raced clear just inside Leicester’s half, but the attacker attempted an audacious lob instead of sprinting towards goal. As the game ticked into injury time, the Foxes sensed an equaliser, and it duly arrived. Mahrez slipped the ball past Van Dijk who lost sight of Vardy, and the England international smashed it into the back of the net.

Man of the Match

Riyad Mahrez: The Algerian may have only played 45 minutes, but he exhibited the flair and drive that the Foxes lacked in the first half. Instrumental in orchestrating a second half comeback for the visitors, he continually occupied Southampton’s defence, and provided the perfect pass for Vardy to notch his ninth Premier League goal of the season.

Teams and Ratings

Southampton

K. Davis 5 – Soares 7 (Yoshida 60’ 6), Fonte (C) 6, Van Dijk 5, Bertrand 6 – Wanyama 5, Ward-Prowse 6 – Mané 5, S. Davis 7 (Clasie 60’ 5), Tadić 6 (Rodriguez 75’ 5) – Pellè 5

Goals: Fonte (21'), Van Dijk (37')

Bookings: Wanyama, Bertrand

Leicester

Schmeichel 6 – Simpson 6, Morgan (C) 6, Huth 6, Fuchs 7 – Albrighton 6, Drinkwater 7, Kanté 6, Schlupp 5 (Mahrez 45’ 7) – Vardy 7, Okazaki 6 (Dyer 45’ 6)

Goals: Vardy (66', 90'+1)