Leicester Comeback Win Further Frustrates Saints

 This is not what Southampton manager Mark Hughes had in mind.

After just barely escaping relegation last season -- the Saints finished 17th in the Premiership, three points above the drop line -- the club figured it had made sufficient moves for at least a mid-table finish in this campaign.

However, earning a mere point in the first three weeks isn't gonna cut it.

And blowing another feeble point to Leicester City in extra time sure looks like the dreaded same-old, same old.

 

As usual, the Saints didn't press it soon enough and wound up on the wrong end of a 1-2 disappointment.

Those who watched the match witnessed two distinct halves.

In a poor first 45, both teams were basically circling each other, and the chances created were minimum. The best opportunities came from the home side as a Nathan Redmond-Danny Ings combination was denied by Kasper Schmeichel.

 

 

Not that the Saints didn't stop trying. It's just that the Foxes tried harder.

Southampton struck first, though. In the 52nd, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg's low cross ended up on Ryan Bertrand's foot, resulting in a powerful shot straight to the roof:

 

Homeboy joy was short-lived.

Four minutes later, the Leicester responded through Demarai Gray, who took advantage of Southamption's recurring defensive failures to equalize:

Then, in the 77th, Southampton went down to 10 men as Højbjerg dove inside of the box but didn't fool the referee.

That was his second yellow of the match.

After that, Leicester took the control of the game as Southampton wereleft desperately trying to secure the draw.

But at the 92nd -- yes, extra time -- Harry Maguire sealed the deal for the Foxes after a nifty cross from Ben Chilwell:

After three weeks, Leicester's right where they figured they'd be, with a decent start garnering them six points outta a possible nine.

As to Southampton, where else?

Sitting in 17th position, missing the drop zone on goal difference.