Southampton vs Leicester City. Premier League.
St. Mary's StadiumAttendance30,966.
Saturday 17 October 2015 18:41, UK
Jamie Vardy's second-half double rescued Leicester's unbeaten Premier League away record as Claudio Ranieri's side came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Southampton.
Ronald Koeman's side got off to a flying start as captain Jose Fonte, celebrating a new three-year deal at the club, opened the scoring in the 21st-minute, before Virgil van Dijk extended his side's lead just before the interval.
As has already been proved this season Ranieri's Leicester just do not know when they are beaten and pulled a goal back in the 65th minute as Vardy became only the fourth Englishman this century to score in six successive Premier League matches.
The in-form England forward had a golden opportunity to make it 10 goals in as many league matches and secure a point for his side with just nine minutes of time remaining, but he fired over from eight yards after excellent work from substitute Riyad Mahrez.
However, he was not to be denied again, smashing the ball past Kelvin Davis after being played in by Mahrez in injury time as Leicester, who remain in fifth - three points above Southampton in eighth, extended their unbeaten run on the road to eight games.
Leicester, who were unchanged from their victory away at Norwich, started brightly as Marc Albrighton found Vardy on the penalty spot, but the 28-year-old could not keep his shot down.
Southampton, who made two changes from the side that beat Chelsea last time out, slowly grew into the game and looked particularly dangerous from set-pieces as Van Dijk's header beat Kasper Schmeichel but could not beat Danny Drinkwater on the line.
They were not to be denied for long though as Fonte climbed highest to head Dusan Tadic's corner past Schmeichel and into the back of the net for his first goal in 18 months.
Southampton doubled their advantage in the 37th minute and it was another set-piece that did the damage. Graziano Pelle's header rebounded off the post and deflected back off Van Dijk and back onto the upright. However, the Dutch defender got another opportunity and poked home into the roof of the net for his second of the season.
Leicester's unbeaten away record was hanging by a thread but if there was any sense of hope for Claudio Ranieri's side it came from the fact they have won more points from losing positions than any other top-flight side this season.
And they could have pulled a goal back just before the break when Robert Huth's quick feet worked an opening for a shot at the far post, but he could not direct his effort on target.
Ranieri threw on Nathan Dyer and Mahrez at the break in place of Jeffrey Schlupp and Shinji Okazaki as he tried to haul his side back into the game.
However, they could have found themselves further behind but for Danny Simpson's challenge after Sadio Mane raced clear and rounded Schmeichel.
Despite the chance, Koeman's side started to look sloppy and he reacted by sending on Jordy Clasie and Maya Yoshida for Steven Davis and Cedric Soares, who received a nasty cut in the first half after a clash of heads with Schlupp.
The move did not have the desired effect as Vardy powered home Dyer's cross to join Michael Owen, James Beattie and Daniel Sturridge as the fourth Englishman to score in six successive Premier League games this century.
Leicester had a spring in their step and they should have been level when the man of the moment was picked out by Mahrez, but Vardy's shot sailed high over the crossbar.
However, as the tension grew at the announcement of five minutes' added time, Leicester continued to attack - and when Mahrez sent a through-ball towards Vardy, he atoned for his earlier miss finishing emphatically into the top-right corner to rescue a point.
Soccer Saturday Verdict - Paul Merson
Southampton played quite well in the first half, and Leicester were a bit off it. Every time they had a corner they looked a threat. Two goals came from them, even if Van Dijk may have been offside for the second.
Second half, Leicester made two changes, with Mahrez and Dyer coming on, and Dyer was a different class. Proper wing play.
After Leicester's first goal, it was all them. Southampton sat back, and they didn't keep the ball well enough.
Vardy is an absolute nightmare for defenders. He never stops running, doesn't give up and is an excellent finisher. The way that Leicester play, they have a go, and it could be either 2-2, or 5-0.
Player ratings
Southampton: K. Davis (5), Cedric (6), Fonte (7), Van Dijk (7), Bertrand (6), Wanyama (6), Ward-Prowse (7), S. Davis (7), Tadic (7), Mane (7), Pelle (6).
Subs used: Yoshida (5), Clasie (5), Rodriguez (5).
Leicester: Schmeichel (6), Simpson (7), Huth (6), Morgan (7), Fuchs (7), Albrighton (7), Kanté (6), Drinkwater (6), Schlupp (5), Vardy (8), Okazaki (5).
Subs used: Dyer (6), Mahrez (7).
Man of the Match: Jamie Vardy
