HARRYCANE!
Maguire screamer knocks wind out of Sparky’s sails
WHISPERING Claude Puel rarely shows any emotion, let alone leap and jump for joy on a pitch.
But the Leicester boss did exactly that when celebrating Harry Maguire’s last-gasp longrange winner against the club that sacked Puel 14 months ago.
How he must wish Leicester and Southampton played every week. In five meetings between the two clubs he has yet to lose.
Maguire’s 92nd-minute effort, allied to Demarai Gray’s earlier strike, was enough to secure him a third victory in this ‘Puel’ derby as his visitors came from behind in dramatic fashion.
On his ecstatic reaction, the King Power supremo said: “It is good sometimes but my personality is unimportant.
“It is my players’ reaction on the pitch that matters. We won this game with personality and mentality.
“The level of the Premier League is crazy this season and we must continue with this good spirit.
“When I saw Harry with the ball, I thought, ‘keep it, keep it’. But it was a fantastic goal – the perfect time to score. I was so happy for him and so happy for the team.”
While Leicester moved to seventh in the table, Southampton slipped to 16th and are still without a win.
Poor Mark Hughes could only stare on in disbelief at the end.
When Ryan Bertrand had scored early in the second half, his side were in command.
But that was before a defensive lapse allowed Leicester to equalise – and then Saints’ Danish midfielder Pierre-emile Hojbjerg was shown a second yellow for a blatant dive in the 82nd minute.
Having been booked already, it was sheer lunacy for him to go tumbling in the box, looking for a penalty. Jonathan Moss did not fall for it and rightly sent him off.
Even Hughes, who loves having a moan at officials, could not argue with the decision – although he did have a try.
Saints boss Sparky said: “My only argument is the first yellow was very soft. But if you’re booked, you must make sure you don’t get another.
“In Pierre’s defence he might have been clipped before he went down. Maybe at that point you hope the ref shows some common sense and just gives a free-kick. But, hey ho, that’s Jon Moss.’’
Some things never change, eh? But how the St Mary’s faithful are desperate to see their form on the south coast improve.
They have three wins in their last 28 games anywhere – and a pathetic one win here. It is not rocket science to see why.
Leicester’s best moments in a dull first half came via the wings. Twice Ben Chilwell crossed into the corridor of uncertainty but both eluded Gray and Kelechi Iheanacho.
Arguably, the clearest opening of the first period came in the final seconds – for the Saints.
Danny Ings, quiet until then, spun his marker and fired towards the far corner, only for Kasper Schmeichel to divert to safety.
That led to a pumped-up second-half display from the hosts – and the breakthrough arrived in the 52nd minute. Hojbjerg’s cross was meant for Mohamed Elyounoussi but, when he slipped, it rolled to Bertrand, who crashed in a screamer from 18 yards.
But their lead lasted just two minutes. Cedric misplaced a header – and Gray punished him.
Even with a numerical advantage it seemed Leicester would settle for a point. But then England hero Maguire let rip from 25 yards to send Puel and the travelling fans mad.