Leicester City returned to winning ways on Friday night, defeating Southampton 4-1 in a game that suggested a serious statement of intent.
Going into the international break on the heels of a 1-0 home setback to Hull City was not ideal, but the Foxes responded in the greatest way possible by pounding Southampton for four goals on their own turf.
It already feels like a pivotal point in Leicester’s season.
Indeed, they took the lead after only 21 seconds, winning the ball high up the pitch and executing some exquisite interchanges before Jamie Vardy arrived.
got the ultimate word, delivering a smooth finish past Gavin Bazunu to open his campaign account.
It was all too familiar when they targeted Southampton’s weak right side again in the 18th minute, with Kasey McAteer extending the lead for his third goal in as many games.
Sam Edozie had threatened to change the course of the game by halving the deficit seven minutes later, but goals from Wilfred Ndidi and Stephy Mavididi either side of the break ensured an emphatic victory for Leicester, who have now moved to the top of the table.
As expected, it has reignited a slew of heated debates in Leicestershire, and for all the right reasons.
There were some new aspects of Leicester City’s philosophy to observe as well, and here are three things we discovered from their 4-1 win over Southampton…
Is Enzo Maresca flexible?
Maresca and Southampton’s Russell Martin have distinct stylistic similarities.
They are both coaches who want their teams to dominate possession and build from the back- but it was the latter that brought the Saints down.
Leicester came to St Mary’s expecting they would see less of the ball, and Maresca effectively countered that.
Rather than sticking to his ideals in the face of adversity, he adjusted and, at times, discarded the patient build-up approach that he had been associated with during his early days at the club, instead instructing a high press that exploited Southampton’s frailties while playing out on the right side.
Leicester had only 45% possession – their lowest in a game this season – but won by a large margin due to their ability to press high upfield as a unit, close down space, and prevent Southampton from playing through them, demonstrating their versatility.
Of course, they won’t always be able to play the way they want, so adaptability will be crucial as the season progresses.
While it was not an advertisement for Maresca’s kind of football, it was another tactical masterstroke from the Italian.
Is Kasey McAteer vital to Leicester?
Any doubts that McAteer’s brace against Rotherham United last month were unfounded were quickly dispelled when he scored again yesterday night.
The winger was part of a flowing, front-footed forward line alongside Mavididi and Vardy, rarely looking out of place and causing Southampton issues throughout the evening.
Few could have predicted such a rapid rise for a man who only scored once in 18 League Two appearances on loan for Wimbledon last season, but make no mistake: he’ll be crucial this time around.
How did James Justin perform?
Because of his injury, Justin made his first league start in nearly a year, a 2-0 win over Everton at the start of November.
Coming back into the starting lineup against Southampton could have been a baptism of fire for the 25-year-old, but his defensive solidity kept the hosts’ variety of offensive potential at bay.
Prior to Justin’s firing, Kamaldeen Sulemana received no change from him, and Adam Armstrong and Ryan Fraser were also silent.
This was in no small part thanks to Justin’s four tackles and eleven duels, both of which were the most in the game, signaling his return to regular play in style.
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