Undeserved disappointment at Leicester

Leicester 3, Saints 2
Obviously it had to happen sometime, but the feeling of disappointment when Southampton’s long winning run came to an end at Leicester was because this was another game the team deserved to win, and certainly not lose.
The task was always going to be difficult after the home team took a third minute lead when Vassell beat Seaborne to what may have been a deflected cross. Other than maybe closing down the midfielders a bit better, there wasn’t a lot to be done about Wellens’ well struck shot into the top corner that put Leicester further ahead, but Saints’ response was equally impressive – Lallana left international defender Pantsil on the seat of his pants before crossing for Harding (what was he doing up there?) to score.
From 1-2, the situation was very saveable, but in first half added time Leicester restored their two goal lead with Bamba apparently heading home with the hint of a push. Had referee Mathieson seen what the TV cameras revealed – that Bamba got nowhere near the ball, which was put into the net by Lambert after a hefty shove in the back – it would surely not have been allowed.
Richardson had been finding plenty of space going forward, but distribution isn’t his greatest asset, so Schneiderlin replaced him at half time, with Cork dropping back. It must have done some good as Saints proceeded to dominate the second period, and received some reward when Connolly stooped to head in at the far post after a corner had been helped on.
There was plenty of time to rescue a point, if not more, but a series of desperate blocks by Schmeichel and his defenders kept Saints out. Lallana probably had the best opportunity, but he tried to be too precise and allowed Schmeichel to get a trailing leg to the shot. So it’s still true that you can’t win them all, but Saints will play a lot worse that this and walk off with all three points.
LSSC Man of the Match: Jack Cork, as voted by a clear majority of our travellers. That makes 3 awards in the 5 matches he’s played as a proper (rather than loanee) Saint.
01 Davis
02 Richardson (Schneiderlin 46)
03 Harding (Fox 79)
06 Fonte
25 Seaborne
08 Cork
10 Guly (De Ridder 71)
14 Hammond
20 Lallana
07 Lambert
22 Connolly