City 2 Southampton 0
Report by Stuart Dawkins
Whilst there was all the noise and excitement we have now come to expect before the kick-off of a Leicester game during this remarkable ‘Great Escape’ run, there was also perhaps a little more pre-match tension than usual.
It could have been Pearson’s winning of Manager of the Month – so often a bad omen. It probably reflected Sunderland’s victory in the lunchtime kick off. Also, perhaps, there is a growing realisation that City really are so very nearly safe.
To counter-act this, Birch introduced three people on the pitch before the teams appeared from the tunnel: Walshie and two of Kasabian, who provided impromptu renditions of ‘Blue Army’ and ‘He’s magic, you know … Esteban Cambiasso’.
Once the game began, City’s players showed no sign of any nerves on the pitch. They quickly settled into their high-tempo game, comfortable in their roles and full of confidence as Pearson, yet again, picked an unchanged first eleven.
Southampton are far more organised than Newcastle and, whilst City pressed effectively in the opening minutes, there looked little chance of being 2-0 up in less than 20 minutes this time … and yet that is what happened.
Both goals were well-taken, but came out of nowhere. In the seventh minute, Mahrez received the ball from a throw-in. He ran along the edge of the box, shrugged off a couple of challenges and rifled a low shot inside the right hand post for a very well-taken goal.
Southampton continued to play their close-passing midfield game, enjoying a lot of possession. A couple of minutes after the goal, James challenged the left-winger and seemed to fall awkwardly. It looked innocuous, but the physio immediately signalled for a stretcher. It took five minutes before James was carried from the pitch. Whilst clearly seriously injured, he managed to flash two thumbs-ups to the applauding crowd. His place at the heart of City’s midfield was taken by Drinkwater.
The game was fairly well balanced, until – in the 19th minute – Southampton keeper Gazzaniga made an awful kicked clearance under no pressure. The ball skewed up into the air on the edge of the box, Ulloa headed it to Vardy who crossed low from the left for Mahrez to steer in the goal, unmarked.
For the rest of the half, Southampton continued to keep the ball well, with City often pressing them in the Saints’ half of the pitch. Yet the visitors created nothing other than long-range efforts and a couple of half-chances easily dealt with by Schmeichel.
With ten minutes to go to the break, Vardy missed City’s best chance to make it 3-0; he was released by the ever-creative Mahrez, but the Saints keeper partly atoned for his earlier error by saving Vardy’s shot with his legs.
As the half drew towards its extended close – five minutes stoppage time was added for James’ injury – Schmeichel was finally called into meaningful action to tip a 35-yard free kick over the bar.
Neither side made any changes at half-time. As in recent games, City pressurised their opponents’ kick off straight away – gaining possession after a few seconds in what has now become a trade-mark demonstration of the team’s energy and enthusiasm.
The second half was more open than the first, but the number of clear-cut chances were few. Southampton were able to keep the ball for long periods, but their final pass or cross was generally poor – it was easy to see why they have struggled to score in recent matches. Pellè, who had looked outstanding early in the season, largely looked forlorn and frustrated as the afternoon wore on.
Mahrez had a half-decent chance to get his hat-trick, but shot wide. Cambiasso hit the side-netting – close enough for much of the crowd to think he had scored. City had a number of fast breaks from defence, with Vardy’s last act before being substituted being an excellent run from his own half – but he did not spot Mahrez unmarked in an excellent scoring position.
Nugent replaced Vardy then, later, Hammond replaced Ulloa as Pearson tightened things up to hold the lead, and also gave his front two a well-earned rest.
Southampton, again, managed some shots from distance, but whenever they managed to get the ball into City’s box, the back three – Huth in particular – dealt with it well.
The final whistle blew and jubilant Leicester fans celebrated yet another win in this extraordinary couple of months.
This was a good, efficient performance. It was perhaps Mahrez’s most complete match to date: not only scoring the goals, but also being part of a front three that showed a real understanding of each others’ play, as well as pressing excellently throughout. The whole team played well and they took their chances when they came.
With Hull losing and Newcastle drawing, it now looks as though one more win should be enough to secure safety – what an end to a season!
City: Schmeichel, Wasilewski, Huth, Morgan, Albrighton, James, Cambiasso, Schlupp, Mahrez, Ulloa, Hammond, Vardy. Substitutes: de Laet, Konchesky, Drinkwater, Hammond, Schwarzer, Nugent, Kramaric
Southampton: Gazzaniga, Clyne, Fonte, Alderweireld, Bertrand, Reed, Wanyama, Davis, Djuricic, Mané, Elia, Pellè. Substitutes: Davis, Yoshida, Gardos, Long, Djuricic, Targett, Gallagher
Attendance 31,939
The views expressed in this report are the opinions of the Trust member nominated to file the report only and do not represent the views of the Foxes Trust organisation