The Saints took Leicester at the King Power on Thursday night in dire need of 3 points. They had to play for the win or else leave themselves with too big a gap to close with 4 fixtures left, 2 against Manchester City and Everton. This game was huge!

The Saints named an unchanged side to the one that lost 3-2 to Chelsea from being 2-0 up just five days ago. Leicester began the match with Vardy, Mahrez and Gray all as attacking threats against a recently shaky and unassured Saints defence.

It was a game of few sweet chances and was largely fought by players of both sides scrapping for the ball, Leicester having the majority of the possession. Iheanacho fired wide on a second attempt early on for Leicester City. The Saints grew into the game at the end of the first half, however, when through on goal with a man over, Shane Long’s foot slipped at the vital moment and the ball ran through to Ben Hamer. Next, it was Cedric’s turn to shoot into the side netting in a glorious chance less than 10 yards out where, quite frankly, he should have hit the target.

In the second half, Saints came out a determined side. However, when Long turned well and took a shot a Hamer’s goal, the Englishman came off his line and saved well. It was the only real test he had throughout the match, unfortunately. As the half grew, Leicester looked the more likely to score, as the Saints played to defend the point. When put through on goal, in the one time he managed to slip past the superb defence, Vardy forced a very smart stop from McCarthy as he tipped the ball over the bar.

From this point, Leicester built pressure, however, there were very few shots on goal from that point onwards. The game finished goalless and in a game where Saints desperately needed the three points to close the five-point gap on Swansea, they got one and plunged themselves into even more relegation trouble.

Here’s how I rated the players…