---
title: "Saints fail to hunt Foxes as Vardy claws back a point"
canonical: "https://readsouthampton.com/2015/10/18/saints-fail-hunt-foxes-vardy-claws-back-point/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Osman"
section: "Reports/Previews"
published: "2015-10-18T09:07:00Z"
modified: "2015-10-18T09:07:00Z"
---

# Saints fail to hunt Foxes as Vardy claws back a point

After an excellent first half, Ronald Koeman’s Southampton side fell down at the feet of Jamie Vardy in the second half in what was a real Jekyll and Hyde performance for The Saints; of which Leicester took advantage.

Southampton started as the much brighter side, creating a lot of chances going forward and pressing the Leicester side that started without star player, Riyad Mahrez who was left on the bench. The Saints’ effort was rewarded 21 minutes into the match, as Jose Fonte managed to get on the end of an in-swinging corner from Dusan Tadic to find the bottom right hand corner, a day after extending his contract with The Saints to 2018. This was Fonte’s first goal in over 18 months, and it was his first under Southampton manager, Ronald Koeman.

Things got even better for The Saints as they extended their advantage just 12 minutes after taking the lead, thanks to a Virgil van Dijk tap in from yet another corner. James Ward-Prowse delivered a powerful cross into the Leicester area, which Graziano Pelle met with his head before his effort was cleared off the line, but only into the path of Van Dijk who smashed home his second goal already for The Saints from a yard out, to make the score line 2-0 going into half time.

![Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readsouthampton.com/readsouthampton/2015/10/4930462921.jpg)

The crucial moment in the match came at the interval when The Foxes boss, Claudio Ranieri made a double substitution; bringing on Riyad Mahrez and former Saint, Nathan Dyer. Right from the off, Leicester piled on the pressure in the Southampton half, trying their luck with shots from distance and utilising the wings well, but as usual, their main threat came from the constant persistence of Jamie Vardy leading the line for Ranieri’s men.

Vardy, 28, caused several problems for the Southampton back line, not giving them a moment of rest due to his constant running and urgency to salvage something for his side. Vardy’s persistence paid off in the 66th minute, as he got on the end of a cross from the right hand side to force a header past Kelvin Davis in the Southampton goal, pulling the game back to 2-1 and causing even more pressure on Ronald Koeman’s men for an edgy remaining half an hour.

Southampton were made to rue missed opportunities as in the 91st minute, Jamie Vardy managed to latch on to a through ball that opened up the Southampton defence, to blast home a late equaliser into the roof of the net, in front of the travelling Leicester fans. As harsh as the last-minute heartbreak was for Southampton; it was more than deserved as Leicester simply played better than The Saints in the second half and could have even scored more goals during their period of pressure on Southampton, making 26 efforts on goal throughout the game.

![Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readsouthampton.com/readsouthampton/2015/10/493048444.jpg)

One positive to take for Ronald Koeman and his Southampton side was the fact that they simply did not lose; which they will be grateful for as Leicester could have easily come away from St. Mary’s with 3 well deserved points. However, Southampton will be extremely frustrated and disappointed to let what was a comfortable 2-0 lead slip and allow Leicester a foot hold back into the match. This result takes Southampton up one place to 8th, and keeps The Foxes in 5th.

Full-time score – Southampton 2-2 Leicester.

Goalscorers: Southampton; Fonte, Van Dijk.

: Leicester; Vardy (2).

What did you think of The Saints’ performance? Tweet us @ReadSouthampton or comment down below.