Southampton came from behind for a second week in a row but this time earned all three points with a 2-1 win over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
The Saints had earned a point last weekend against Leeds United after trailing 2-0 at St Mary’s, and they left themselves with it all to do once more when James Maddison opened the scoring from a 54th minute free-kick.
The 25-year-old bent the ball into the near post from an angle many expected him to cross from, catching Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu cold at his near post.
But the hosts, known to be vulnerable from corners and set pieces, were unable to hold onto the lead as this time they conceded from a long throw – substitute Che Adams pouncing to steer home Armel Bella-Kotchap’s knockdown on the six-yard line.
It was the least that Southampton deserved on the balance play, with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side giving it plenty in the second half, and they continued to push for a winning goal as the home side – without the dropped Wesley Fofana – failed to hit their stride.
Jamie Vardy, on the day he signed a new contract until 2024, was largely anonymous up front and Leicester’s inability to get him into the game, before he was hauled off for Patson Daka, would ultimately cost the Foxes dearly.
Southampton’s winning goal came as a result of their high intensity pressing in midfield – James Ward-Prowse wrestling the ball away from Wilfred Ndidi before the play was spread wide to Kyle Walker-Peters.
He laid the ball back to Ward Prowse and the Southampton skipper whipped a deliciously delicate cross into the middle of the penalty area, where Adams – who had drifted between Timothy Castagne and Daniel Amartey – executed a superb scissor kick to fire beyond the helpless Danny Ward.
Adams could have finished with a hat-trick, hitting the post in stoppage time, and most definitely sent a message to his manager after finding himself benched in favour of Sekou Mara – who had earned a start after his own impressive cameo last Saturday.
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