Southampton 2-2 Leicester: Foxes come from behind twice to earn point at Saints

Southampton let slip their lead twice as Leicester City battled back to take a point away from St Mary’s Stadium on Wednesday night.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints were the better side in the first half and got off to a flyer when Jan Bednarek turned in the ball from a smart set piece to take the lead within five minutes.

20 minutes later, Leicester City levelled the score.

Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy was unsighted when he saved Wilfried Ndidi’s effort, though he palmed the ball straight to Jonny Evans, who easily converted the rebound.

Southampton showed a lot more fight than they did against Liverpool last weekend and that was exemplified in their response when Che Adams restored Saints’ lead.

Stemming from another set piece routine straight from the training ground, Nathan Redmond whipped in a lovely cross which Adams coolly headed home to help Saints go into half time as the team in front.

The second half didn’t kick off on time following a medical emergency in the stands. We wish that fan well.

Following that lengthy delay, James Maddison quickly equalised for Brendan Rodgers’ side when he managed to squeeze in his shot at McCarthy’s near post.

Then came a sustained spell of Leicester pressure.

McCarthy denied Harvey Barnes’ goal-bound effort when he was through on goal and looked certain to score. The in-form Jamie Vardy had a similar chance following a fortuitous ricochet fell to him, but he blazed the ball over the bar.

Southampton fought back and ended the game on top as they searched for a winner. However, no real chances fell to Saints as both sides settle for a point.

Saints now sit 16th in the Premier League standings - five points above the drop zone - while the point moves the Foxes up to eighth in the table.

Southampton (4-4-2): McCarthy; Livramento, Bednarek (Lyanco 85’), Salisu, Walker-Peters; Redmond, Ward-Prowse, Romeu, Tella (Broja 65’); Adams, A. Armstrong (Elyounoussi 74’),

Unused subs: Forster, Valery, Smallbone, Djenepo, Perraud, Long

Goals: Bednarek (3’), Adams (34’)

Bookings: Romeu

Leicester City (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel; Castagne, Evans, Soyuncu, Thomas; Soumare (Dewsbury-Hall 45’), Ndidi; Lookman (Perez 61’), Maddison, Barnes (Daka 75’); Vardy

Unused subs: Ward, Albrighton, Iheanacho, Amartey, Choudhury, Vestergaard

Goals: Evans (22’), Maddison (49’)

Bookings: Dewsbury-Hall, Ndidi, Lookman