Leicester City smashes records against Southampton
SOUTHAMPTON: Leicester City recorded the biggest-ever English top-flight away win by thrashing 10-man Southampton 9-0 at a rain-sodden St Mary’s in the Premier League on Saturday (in IST).
The biggest margin of victory on the road previously was eight goals, a joint record held by three clubs. It was also the first time a team had scored nine away goals in the PL. In the process, Leicester equalled Manchester United’s record 9-0 PL success achieved at home to Ipswich Town in 1995.
With the convincing win, the 2015-16 champion moved to 20 points from 10 games, its best start to a PL campaign. Hat-tricks from Ayoze Perez and Jamie Vardy plus goals by Youri Tielemans, Ben Chilwell and James Maddison inflicted Southampton’s biggest home defeat in its 133-year history.
Saints lost Ryan Bertrand to an early red card and was shambolic in defence, setting an unwanted record for its under pressure manager Ralph Hasenhuettl. There was a double blow for the host after 10 minutes as Chilwell tapped home a rebound to give Leicester the lead after Vardy’s shot was only parried by goalkeeper Angus Gunn.
A check by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) showed a crude lunge by Bertrand on Perez in the build-up to the goal and the Southampton defender received his marching orders. From there, Leicester was able to cut through its opponent at will. Saints defender Yan Valery could only steer a poor clearance into the path of Tielemans to score after 17 minutes. Two minutes later, the Belgian turned provider for Perez to open his Leicester account.
He grabbed his second with a volley at the back post from Chilwell’s cross in the 39th minute. The home humiliation was compounded when Vardy blasted past Gunn just before the break for a 5-0 lead. Rampant Leicester added two more before the hour mark as Perez completed his hat-trick with a neat volley and Vardy was left unmarked to head home Chilwell’s cross.
Maddison added to the home misery with a 25-metre free-kick before striker Vardy completed his hat-trick with the last kick of the game - a penalty.