England under-21 striker James Beattie scored a dramatic late winner for
Southampton to lift his team out of the relegation zone for the first time this
season.
With nearest relegation rivals Charlton and Blackburn drawing, Saints took
full advantage to pick up three vital points to leave Blackburn needing to win
their game in hand at Manchester United to repair the damage.
Beattie's fifth goal of the season had an element of good fortune about it but
no one in the capacity crowd of 15,228 was complaining about it when referee
Paul Alcock blew his whistle for full time.
After 74 minutes defender Francis Benali took a free kick in the centre circle
and Beattie, on the left side of the Leicester area, volleyed first time but, if
the shot was an intended centre it deceived Kasey Keller and drifted in at the
far post.
Southampton deserved their victory after recovering from a shaky start to
dominate the second half.
Leicester, with victories this week over Liverpool and Coventry showed why
they are in form, by taking the lead in the 17th minute.
Neil Lennon crossed from the left and Ian Marshall got ahead of his marker
Jason Dodd to send a powerful header wide of goalkeeper Neil Moss.
Southampton-born Steve Guppy was posing plenty of problems for the Saints down
the left before Southampton manager Dave Jones took the bold decision to take
off full-back Scott Hiley and replace him with central defender Claus Lundekvam
with Dodd moving to right back.
Guppy was never quite the same force and Southampton began to pose a few
problems.
Dodd was instrumental in the equaliser after 36 minutes, racing down the right
and crossing with his left foot to the penalty spot where midfield player Chris
Marsden finished off the move with a strong header.
If Leicester shaded the first half in terms of chances and possession there
was no question the second half belonged to Southampton.
Hassan Kachloul and Latvian striker Marian Pahars each went close to scoring a
winner and Keller made an exceptional save to turn away a close range header
from Kachlaul.
Southampton replaced Pahars with Egil Ostenstad in the 74th minute and
Southampton were stronger for his appearance.
Beattie scored the winner and there were late chances for Kachloul and
Ostenstad.
Leicester had midfield player Lennon and defender Matt Elliott booked for
fouls while Ostenstad picked up a yellow card for decent.
Southampton player Matt Le Tissier decided to risk a calf injury which had
prevented him training for most of the last two weeks, but managed only 52
minutes before being replaced by David Hughes.
Le Tissier almost scored a memorable first half goal soon after Leicester had
scored.
Le Tissier controlled the ball 35 yards out before volleying it towards the
top corner and only a superb save at full stretch by Keller denied him one of
the goals of the season.
In the first half Leicester looked as if they might overwhelm Southampton
either side of Marshall's third goal in succession.
Tony Cottee, Guppy and Rob Savage all went close with goalkeeper Moss doing
well to block Savage's shot with his legs when a goal seemed certain.
Southampton were also exposed in the 40th minute by a long kick down field by
Keller. Cottee raced clear of the defence but a superbly timed run from his goal
by Moss prevented Saints going in at half time a goal behind.
Teams:
Southampton: Moss, Hiley (Lundekvam 23), Benali, Marsden, Monkou,
Dodd, Le Tissier (D. Hughes 52), Kachloul, M. Hughes, Beattie,
Pahars (Ostenstad 70).
Subs Not Used: Beresford, Jones.
Booked: Ostenstad.
Goals: Marsden 36, Beattie 74.
Leicester: Keller, Impey, Kaamark (Walsh 81), Elliott, Sinclair,
Savage, Lennon, Marshall, Heskey, Cottee (Miller 64), Guppy.
Subs Not Used: Campbell, Zagorakis, Arphexad.
Booked: Lennon, Elliott.
Goals: Marshall 17.
Att: 15,228
Ref: P Allcock (Surrey).
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