[ad_1]
Goals from James Maddison and Harvey Barnes helped Leicester climb to second place in the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Southampton at the King Power Stadium.
Maddison’s seventh goal of the season gave the Foxes a half-time lead (37) as he walked away from Jack Stephens to receive the pass from Youri Tielemans before shooting high into the net past Alex McCarthy.
Stuart Armstrong came closer to salvaging a point for Southampton after his long-range shot hit the crossbar, while Jamie Vardy missed a glorious opportunity to end the contest when McCarthy stopped his shot from close range before he left. limping at the end.
Barnes sealed only Leicester’s fourth home win of the season in the league in the fifth minute of injury time when he picked up another pass from Tielemans before confidently stroking his shot past McCarthy.
The result places Leicester ahead of Manchester City and Liverpool, who face Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday. live on Sky Sports. Southampton remains eighth with 29 points after 18 games.
James Maddison celebrates his first goal but socially distanced
How the foxes broke the first two
These two teams last met in the East Midlands last January, when Southampton emerged victorious thanks to goals from Stuart Armstrong and Danny Ings, and the visitors made life awkward early on against Leicester, with Theo Walcott and Che Adams proving a bunch.
Leicester, who had lost four of their previous eight league games at home, sporadically threatened when Vardy blocked Marc Albrighton’s pass for Barnes to shoot for the first time, but McCarthy saved with two strong hands.
Wesley Fofana fights Che Adams and the Leicester defender was substituted
Kasper Schmeichel, in his 400th appearance with the Foxes, was on the alert to avoid Adams’s fierce shot at his first post, but the hosts began to increase the pressure and took the lead in the 37th minute.
After the Saints cleared an opening cross, a good ball from Tielemans set up Maddison and the midfielder held Stephens in for a hard-hitting effort from an acute angle that outscored McCarthy at his first post. Ibrahima Diallo felt he was fouled by Wilfred Ndidi in preparation, but VAR Jon Moss may have concluded that there were too many phases between the incident and Maddison finding the net.
Ralph Hasenhuttl later admitted that his players were “too honest” in playing alone to be punished, but Southampton searched and almost found an immediate answer. Armstrong, Adams and James Ward-Prowse expertly combined in midfield to free Ryan Bertrand, but the wing’s shot was brilliantly held back by Schmeichel as Leicester reached the interval guarding a slight lead.
A minute after the restart, Hasenhuttl’s men signaled their intention when Armstrong found Will Smallbone on his left, but Schmeichel was up to his shot before Walcott couldn’t readjust his feet on the rebound.
Maddison scores the opening goal at King Power Stadium
That was Smallbone’s last significant act, as he was replaced by Dan N’Lundulu following a collision with Timothy Castagne, and Leicester came close to doubling his lead as Vardy headed over the Barnes cross.
Having been released from the hook, Southampton nearly tied when Armstrong took the break from N’Lundulu 25 yards, and his right foot shot crashed off the crossbar before substitute Shane Long was offside when a reliever took him. fell to the ground. Jonny Evans on the rebound.
In an open final, Brendan Rodgers’ team came within inches of a second as the impressive Albrighton delivered a cross for Barnes to shoot towards goal, but Jan Bednarek cleared the line again. By now, Southampton were pushing all the way for the tie when Ward-Prowse found himself in space on the edge of Leicester’s penalty area, but he ruined his effort wide open.
Jonny Evans is challenged by Theo Walcott of Southampton
Vardy had a late opportunity to add to his 13 goals this season, as James Justin released him through the arc only for McCarthy to brilliantly maintain his shot from close range.
Liverpool and Manchester United, who are one point ahead of Leicester, face off on Sunday, but there are other players in this absorbing title race, with Barnes finishing off a professional job from the hosts when he picked up Tielemans’ pass to dispatch his shot. past McCarthy in the fifth minute of injury time.
Harvey Barnes sealed the victory with his 10th goal of the season
What the managers said
Jamie Vardy was retired in injury time and will be monitored
Leicester Chief Brendan rodgers: “It was always going to be a very close match, Southampton have a very good team and they work very hard. We were too passive in the first half, but then we started to find our way in the match and we talked in the middle. It’s time to make dirty things a little better.
“Not all Premier League matches are good football, you have to fight like hell to get results and we were much more aggressive in the second half. We are delighted with the three points. The spirit of the team and the La collective drive in the second half was really good.
“We have a lot of young English players and those who play for us today are impressed. I’m sure Gareth Southgate will be pleased with what he saw, especially in the second half.”
Referee Stuart Attwell talks to Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl
Southampton Chief Ralph Hasenhuttl: “We did our best against a strong team. We had more chances than they did in the first half. It’s normal for you to take more risks as the game progresses and they had counterattacks. We didn’t just fail Danny [Ings], but at least one in each key area, so it was difficult for us, but the team was fighting well and this was an opportunity for the young people to intervene. This is the time for you to step up.
“It’s never nice to lose a game but we had opportunities. We hit the bar, we fought with everything we have. We are definitely a team that never gives up. The quality of the opponent was better than ours today.”
“The first goal, you don’t shoot like that every day, it was fantastic from Maddison. We had good chances but we couldn’t shoot and that was the difference.
“It doesn’t look good at the moment, we have many injuries and few alternatives. The good news is that we have 29 points and they are not taken away from us.
Man of the match – Youri Tielemans
Youri Tielemans celebrates Barnes’ late goal after his second assist
Given the high pressure tendencies on both sides, he always felt the midfield battle would be important and Tielemans dominated this crucial area of the park to ensure Leicester was back on the winning track at home.
The Belgian provided both assists, but his passes were always decided, and 48 of them found a partner, more than any other player. Leicester always sought to build through it when in possession.
Tielemans’ work often goes unnoticed, but after falling below his standards last season, having made his move permanent, he is quietly enjoying a very productive season.
Opt for statistics
Jan Bednarek keeps Barnes’ shot out during the second period
- Leicester earned their first league win at home against Southampton since April 2016 (1-0), ending a four win streak against the Saints at King Power Stadium (D2 L2).
- Leicester picked up just their fourth league win at home this season (D1 L4), with this third clean sheet at the Foxes’ home of the season.
- Southampton have failed to score in four of their last five Premier League games, as many as they had in their previous 34 in competition.
- Southampton’s first 12 Premier League games this season saw 41 goals scored (F24 A17), at an average of 3.4 per game; their last six games only saw six goals scored (F2 A4).
Whats Next?
Tuesday 19 January 8:00 p.m.
Start 8:15 pm
Leicester host Chelsea in Premier League on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports; start 20:15 h. Southampton will host Shrewsbury Town in their reshuffled FA Cup third round match on Tuesday at 8pm.
[ad_2]
