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| Jamie Vardy scored very late to give Leicester a point at St Mary's |
JAMIE VARDY showed why he is more than worthy of England honours as he snatched two goals at St Mary’s to stretch Leicester’s unbeaten away run to eight games.
Jamie Vardy showed why he is more than worthy of England honours as he snatched two goals at St Mary’s to stretch Leicester’s unbeaten away run to eight games.
Saints central defensive pair Jose Fonte and Virgil Van Dijk grabbed a goal apiece in the opening half to put the hosts in command.
But after Vardy pulled one back for the Foxes on 66 minutes, Saints lost their nerve and their way, allowing the Foxes hit man to score a superb equaliser in stoppage time.
With first choice keeper Maarten Stekelenburg having suffered an injury the day before the game, veteran Kelvin Davis made his first senior appearance of the season for Saints, and might have had the worst start when Vardy nipped in to meet Marc Albrighton’s cross, only to volley wildly over from six yards.
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| Virgil van Dijk's goal gave Southampton a 2-0 first-half lead |
City tried in vain to exploit the uncertainty in the Saints defence, before the home side finally found the rhythm that has made them so formidable at St. Mary’s.
Dutch defender Van Dijk gave notice with a downward header that Danny Drinkwater cleared off the line before fellow central stopper Fonte celebrated the recent signing of his new contract in style.
Fonte ventured forward in the 21st minute to glance a header from James Ward-Prowse’s corner beyond Kasper Schmeichel for the opener.
Not to be outdone, Van Dijk doubled the lead 16 minutes later. Graziano Pelle rose to head Ward-Prowse’s cross against a post, and Van Dijk, following up, hit his first effort against an upright before finally scrambling the ball over the line from just a couple of yards out, amid more than a suspicion of offside.
So from looking composed and in contention, the Foxes suddenly found themselves facing one of their sternest tests of the campaign. They might have got a foothold when the lively Vardy darted towards goal only to be stopped by a superbly-timed tackle from Van Dijk.
However, Foxes boss Ranieri had seen enough in the opening 45 minutes to take action with a double substitution with the hope of salvaging something.
Vardy, supported by sub Nathan Dyer, on in place of Shinji Okazaki, tried to instil more life into the visitors’ attacks, but in a smart breakaway Saints went close to extending their lead. Sadio Mane galloped clear, rounded Schmeichel well outside the area, but then found himself outnumbered before he could get in a shot on goal.
Surprisingly, Saints appeared in no mood just to sit on their two-goal cushion, even though they found themselves with far more defending to do in the second period.
And City’s endeavours finally brought them reward on 66 minutes when Vardy rose between two defenders at the near post to head home Dyer’s cross from the right for his seventh goal in six games.
Vardy’s strike visibly affected Saints’ confidence, and Vardy could so easily have snatched an 81st minute equaliser, but swept his first time shot just over Davis’ bar. But in stoppage time he raced in to hammer a venomous shot beyond Davis to claim a point.
Star Man: Jamie Vardy: The Leicester and England striker was a constant threat to Saints’ defence and was rewarded with two fine second half goals.
Southampton (4-2-3-1): K. Davis 6, Cedric 6 (Yoshida 60 mins,6), Fonte 8, Van Dijk 8, Bertrand 6, Ward-Prowse 6, Wanyama 7, Mane 7, S. Davis 6 (Clasie 60 mins, 5), Tadic 6 (Rodriguez 75 mins), Pelle 7.
Leicester (4-4-1-1): Schmeichel 7, Simpson 6, Huth 7, Morgan 6, Fuchs 6, Albrighton 7, Kante 6, Drinkwater 6, Schlupp 5 (Mahrez 45 mins, ), Okazaki 5 (Dyer 45 mins, 7), Vardy 9.
Referee: P.Tierney.
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