Printer-friendly pageSaturday, December 1, 2007
Southampton's beleaguered backline took a further blow at Leicester with Viafara the latest to report injured; in came Bennett, some would say to actually strengthen the defence. We also had a change at full back, with Skacel not playing but for reasons that may owe more to selection choice than fitness; Wright took over the left back berth.
As early as the fourth minute it looked as though the defenders hadn't been introduced to each other as Hume run through a huge gap, only to be thwarted by Davis. The ball then fell for Newton who now had to beat a couple of covering defenders, but they weren't needed as the shot went high and wide.
After that scare, Saints looked a lot more organised, even if we weren't enlivening a wintry afternoon. That was until the half hour when the unlikely figure of Dyer headed back across goal for John to poke in his 6th Southampton goal.
The lead was wiped out in cruel but spectacular fashion when King unleashed a shot from a good 30 yards out that flew into the top corner just as the referee was putting his whistle to his mouth for half time.
Southampton regained the lead before too long, although few would have complained had the linesman not spotted a piece of hand assisted ball control by Clemence in the penalty area. Surman took over the important spot kick duty and sent Fulop the wrong way.
Leicester aren't winning any goalscoring prizes this season, and it wasn't hard to see why as that makeshift defence held firm, mainly due to the efforts of Davis and Bennett down the middle, and we were able to go home happy. In fact you didn't have to go too many miles south before you could no longer hear the sound of Ian Holloway moaning about the penalty.
LSSC Man of the Match: Alan Bennett after the ballot of train travellers recorded a tie with Surman. My casting vote was used to produce a decision that everyone seemed happy with.
George Burley: "I'm very pleased with the performance because with Leicester having a new manager it was always going to be a difficult game.
"We were disappointed not to be in front at half-time but they scored a one in a million wonder goal and you cannot legislate against that.
"I was pleased with the determination we showed because apart from their goal Leicester didn't create any chances."
Leicester: Fulop, Sheehan, McAuley, Kisnorbo, Stearman, Newton (Ashley Chambers 60), Clemence, King, Hayes (N'Gotty 87), Hume, Cort (Sappleton 66).
Subs Not Used: Kenton, Maybury.
Goals: King 45.
Southampton: Davis, Wright-Phillips, Davies, Bennett, Ifil, Safri, Wright, Surman, Dyer (Hammill 85), John, Euell.
Subs Not Used: Bialkowski, Saganowski, Rasiak, Mettomo.
Goals: John 32, Surman 56 pen.
Att: 20,070
Ref: Richard Beeby (Northamptonshire).
