Shane Long’s strike the difference at Leicester City

Often ridiculed and goal-shy Shane Long played hero for 10-man Southampton, which held on to beat Leicester 2-1.

James Ward-Prowse scored Southampton’s first goal in five Premier League visits to the King Power Stadium since 2012, before Long added another on the stroke of half-time minutes after Jann Valery had received his second yellow.

Wilfred Ndidi pulled one on back for Leicester, who made a double substitution at the break to switch the momentum, but the midfielder would turn a free header wide of the post deep in added time.

Southampton’s fourth win of the season built upon a tremendous draw at Chelsea and helped them climb out of the relegation zone above Cardiff City on goal difference.

It was the second league outing in a three match stretch where Southampton had to finish with 10 men, with Valery letting his frustrating mount leading to two yellows in 10 minutes.

Saints were without the injured Danny Ings and suspended Charlie Austin, but Long repaid the faith from boss Ralph Hasenhuttl by winning the penalty that led to the opening goal before tallying in first-half stoppage time.

Long, who is known for his pace, beat his defender and then curled past Kasper Schmeichel from a tight angle to the delight of the travelling support for just his second goal in over a calendar year.

Leicester: Schmeichel, Ricardo, Morgan, Maguire, Chilwell, Ndidi, Mendy (Barnes 46), Choudhury (Ghezzal 77), Maddison, Albrighton (Gray 46), Vardy.

Unused subs: Ward (GK), Simpson, Soyuncu, Ghezzal, Iheancho.

Goals: Ndidi (58).

Bookings: Maddison (20), Chilwell (35).

Southampton: McCarthy, Targett, Bednarek, Vestergaard, Stephens, Valery, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Armstrong (Cedric 57), Redmond (Gallagher 90+3), Long (Slattery 76).

Unused subs: Gunn (GK), Cedric, Ramsay, Sims, Elyounoussi.

Goals: Ward-Prowse (11 PEN), Long (45+2).

Bookings: Valery (34, 45), Stephens (54).