Leicester City vs Southampton
3 - 2
Date:
27/08/2011
Venue:
The King Power Stadium
Attendance:
23,808
Referee:
S Mathieson
Leicester inflicted the first defeat of the season on Nigel Adkins' men with an action packed 3-2 game.
Saints' long run of ten consecutive league victories succumbed in an enthralling encounter at the King Power Stadium which could have gone either way.
Unfortunately for the visitors, they get themselves an uphill battle as they headed into the half time interval 3-1 down, with a goal right on the stroke of the break from Sol Bamba proving decisive.
Dan Harding had headed a response after Saints had gone 2-0 down to goals from Darius Vassell and Richie Wellens, but it was the second half where the visitors really found their feet.
They controlled the second 45, and got the quick response they needed when David Connolly headed home eight minutes after the re-start. The resulting onslaught from Adkins' side went unrewarded, as Foxes 'keeper Kasper Schmeichel produced some outstanding saves late on to preserve the hosts' lead.
Saints line up unchanged for the fourth game running, with two summer additions Danny Fox and Steve De Ridder amongst the substitutes.
The Foxes got the game underway in their traditional blue shirts amongst a near capacity crowd at the recently renamed King Power Stadium.
A heavy downpour prior to kick-off failed to dampen the atmosphere inside the ground though, with the 3,000 strong visiting supporters easily drowning out an expectant Leicester fanbase, who had yet to see their side pick up a point at their home so far this term.
They were given hope however, with less than three minute son the clock when they got their noses in front. Full back Paul Konchesky floated in a dangerous cross from the left, and former England striker Darius VASSELL poked home from inside the six yard box, giving kelvin Davis no chance in the Saints goal.
The hosts had to make an early change when ex Portsmouth striker David Nugent was forced off through injury, and was given a warm send off from the Saints fans before being replaced by Jeffrey Schlupp.
Leicester threatened again on 9 with Konchesky again the provider with a more direct delivery which Andy King headed powerfully over the bar from the centre.
Adkins' side recovered from their initial setback, but took a while to get into their natural rhythm, but the creative flair of Cork and Lallana soon drew opportunities, with the former almost getting on the end of the winger's chip into the area, but unable to force the airborne ball on target.
Sven Goran Eriksson's men dealt the visitors a blow however, when they hit a superb second strike on 21 minutes through Richie WELLENS. The midfielder was teed up from the left by John Pantsil, and he swept home a measured curling strike, which Davis again could do little about as it nestled into the net for 2-0.
The two goal advantage lasted just seven minutes, as Saints cut the deficit in half through an unlikely source.
Lallana's persistence on the left created the space for a cross from the byline which was met clinically by the head of Dan HARDING, whose effort flew in down the centre of the goal.
A hugely open and entertaining spectacle saw the chances continue to arrive at both ends. Gelson Fernandes forced a terrific punched save from Davis with a header, and Neil Danns also went close from distance, before Connolly tried his luck with a 40 yard lob which Kasper Schmeichel read well.
Dan Seaborne then clipped Danns as the former Crystal Palace man sped towards goal, and the resulting set piece on 37 saw Davis was called into action again, when he dived across to keep out Konchesky's whipped free-kick delivery from 25 yards.
As play entered the last five minutes of the half Lambert and Lallana linked up impressively with the latter's poke at the target denied by an outstretched leg as he bore down on goal.
Just as three minutes were added on for stoppages at the end of the half, The Foxes grabbed a crucial third goal to give Saints an uphill task.
It arrived from the head of defender Sol BAMBA who crashed home a delivery from a corner on the right, to restore the hosts' two goal advantage.
Half Time: Leicester 3-1 Saints
Saints replaced Richardson with Morgan Schneiderlin at the break with the Frenchman slotting in to the middle alongside Hammond, as Jack Cork moved to right back.
The visitors looked comfortable on the ball following the change as they moved forward with a higher tempo, which eventually led to Connolly firing narrowly over with a fierce rising shot.
Seaborne was cautioned for a foul on Vassell that led to Konchesky trying his luck again with a dead ball, but his strike flew high and wide of Davis' goal.
At the other end, Guly saw a low strike from range pushed behind by Schmeichel, and the resulting corner brought with it a well-timed second goal for the visitors.
Lallana's swirling delivery was flicked on by a blue shirt, and met at the far post by the pouncing David CONNOLLY who nodded home from close range to make it 3-2 on 53 minutes.
The strike gave Saints a much needed foothold in the game, with the hosts seemingly concentrating more on preventing an equaliser rather than killing the match off which allowed Adkins' side to get their possession play going.
Lallana and Connolly both recovered from knocks which required treatment, and soon after, Saints number 20 twisted and turned into the area, where he appeared to be shoved off the ball unfairly, but not according to the referee.
Steve De Ridder was introduced for Guly in the 71st minute, and the Belgian's impact was instant as he forced the first in a series of corners which led to Schneiderlin seeing a firm low goalbound drive blocked by Bamba.
The Foxes defender almost undid his good work moments later when he single handedly tried to take on Connolly and Hammond, but the hosts escaped as Harding eventually fired over.
Leicester switched Paul Gallagher for King, and saw Danns booked for a late challenge on Harding. The foul preceded Danny Fox's arrival in place of Harding got the final 11 minutes.
Fox picked out Connolly at the far post with a pinpoint delivery on 83 which the Irishman arrowed in towards the near post which somehow stayed out as Schmeichel gathered gratefully.
The 'keeper came to The Foxes rescue again when Lallana and Connolly combined leading to the midfielder to force a terrific low save to keep Saints at bay.
Remarkably, he was at it again on 86 when Lallana once more was denied as the winger flung himself at Fox's cross from the left, only for the shot stopper to get a hand on it at point blank range.
Leicester replaced Wellend with Abe for the last four minutes, before five additional minutes were put on to the watch during which time, Saints' best chance fell to Lallana, who was blocked by a fierce lunge as the hosts held on to all three points.
Full Time: Leicester 3-2 Saints
Leicester: Schmeichel, Pantsil, Mills, Konchesky, Bamba, King (Gallagher 73), Fernandes, Danns, Wellens (Abe 86), Nugent (Schlupp 6), Vassell. Subs (not used): Weale, St Ledger.
Saints: Davis, Richardson (Schneiderlin 46), Fonte, Seaborne, Harding (Fox 79), Guly (De Ridder 71), Cork, Hammond, Lallana, Connolly, Lambert. Subs (not used): Bialkowski, A. Martin.
Referee: Mr. S. Mathieson (Cheshire)
Attendance: 23, 808 (including 2,682 away)
