Southampton 2-1 Leicester City Player Ratings: Pure Drama at St. Mary's Stadium As Southampton Win it Late To Qualify to the Next Round of the FA Cup

Fans witnessed a classic cup tie at St. Mary's Stadium as Southampton left it late to clinch a win against Leicester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

A clumsy challenge gave Southampton a penalty, which Cyle Larin coolly converted just before the first-half whistle. However, Leicester City came out fighting in the second half. They quickly found an equaliser through Oliver Skipp and pushed for a winner. The game was on a knife-edge for the entire second period, with neither team letting up for even a second.

Ultimately, neither side could break the deadlock in the initial 90 minutes. The match headed into a gruelling extra time. It was a substitute who became the hero, as James Bree of Southampton found a late, decisive goal from a set piece to book their place in the next round.

Check out the Southampton vs Leicester City Player Ratings below.

Key Takeaways

• Both teams were quite close in terms of stats, seeing 45-55% of the ball throughout the game.
• Cyle Larin opened the scoring from the spot for Southampton after Caleb Okoli fouled Samuel Edozie in the penalty area.
• Oliver Skipp equalised with an overhead kick for Leicester just seven minutes after the restart in the second half. James Bree headed in from a set-piece in extra time to clinch the win for Southampton.

Leicester City Player Ratings vs Southampton

Here are the Leicester City Player Ratings from the Southampton vs Leicester City Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Jakub Stolarczyk - 6.5: We thought he had a decent game despite conceding twice. He made a couple of important saves to keep his team in it. He had no chance with the penalty, it was well-struck. The extra-time winner was a powerful header from close range, very difficult to stop.

Defenders

Ben Nelson - 7.0: A solid performance from the captain. He was a commanding presence at the back for most of the game. Nelson made five successful tackles and was strong in his duels. The yellow card was a minor blemish on an otherwise impressive defensive display. He really tried to lead by example.

Caleb Okoli - 5.0: A day to forget for the defender. The penalty he conceded just before half-time was a pivotal moment. It was a clumsy and unnecessary challenge that put his team under immense pressure. His high number of possessions lost also highlighted a difficult performance for him. He looked rattled after the mistake.

Victor Kristiansen - 6.5: Did his job effectively before being substituted. He was solid defensively and didn't make any glaring errors. He contributed to the team's structure without being particularly spectacular. A steady, if unremarkable, outing.

Olabade Aluko - 7.0: We were impressed with his defensive work rate. He was active and tenacious, making five clearances and winning most of his duels. He provided good cover on his side of the pitch. It was a surprise to see him substituted, as he was one of Leicester's better performers.

Midfielders

Stephy Mavididi - 6.5: A frustrating performance to watch. He was constantly involved and showed flashes of his dribbling ability. However, his final product was lacking and he lost a lot of his duels. He missed a big chance that could have changed the game. So much effort but little reward.

Oliver Skipp - 8.0: Leicester's standout performer in our eyes. He scored the crucial equalizer with a well-taken finish. His energy in midfield was immense, contributing both defensively and offensively. He barely put a foot wrong and his goal was a reward for a fantastic individual effort. He was the driving force for his team.

Louis Page - 6.0: An energetic but ultimately ineffective display. He picked up a booking for a poor challenge and struggled to make a significant impact. While he didn't stop running, he lacked the quality to unlock the Southampton defence. He was rightly substituted in the second half.

Jeremy Monga - 5.5: Really struggled to get into the game. He was dispossessed multiple times and lost the majority of his duels. It was a tough outing for him, as he was unable to influence the attack. He looked off the pace throughout.

Divine Mukasa - 7.0: A very mixed bag from the midfielder. What stood out to us was his creativity, as he created five chances for his teammates. However, he was also guilty of losing possession frequently and missed a golden opportunity himself. He was a constant threat but also a source of frustration.

Forwards

Jordan Ayew - 7.0: Looked like Leicester's most potent attacking threat before he was forced off with an injury. He was a physical presence, winning numerous duels and getting a couple of shots on target. His departure was a significant blow to their attacking plans. The team missed his presence upfront.

Substitutes

Luke Thomas - 6.0: Came on and tried to provide some energy but ended up getting a yellow card.

Ricardo Pereira - 6.5: Added some experience but couldn't help find a winner.

Patson Daka - 6.0: Had very little service and struggled to get involved in the game.

Dujuan Richards - 6.5: Looked lively and had a couple of efforts blocked late on.

Silko-Amari Thomas - N/A: Came on too late to make any real impact.

Manager

A. King - 6.5: His team showed great character to equalize after going behind. The initial setup seemed solid, but they were undone by an individual error. His substitutions didn't quite have the game-changing impact needed to win it in extra time. A decent effort but ultimately outdone.

Southampton Player Ratings vs Leicester City

Here are the Southampton Player Ratings from the Southampton vs Leicester City Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

George Long - 7.0: A solid and reliable performance from the keeper. He made three important saves and commanded his area well. He couldn't do anything about the equalizer, which was a smart finish. His handling was secure throughout the match.

Defenders

Ryan Manning - 7.5: A true captain's performance. He was a workhorse, flying into tackles and driving his team forward. His eight tackles show how much he put into the game. He even hit the woodwork, showing his attacking intent. A fantastic all-round display.

Nathan Wood - 7.0: A very composed and solid presence at the back. He read the game well and made several crucial blocks. His passing was tidy, helping to build play from the defence. He was a quiet but very effective part of their victory.

Joshua Quarshie - 6.0: From our perspective, he looked a little shaky at times. He committed a number of fouls and struggled in his duels. While he made some important clearances, he was a weak link in an otherwise solid defence. Needs to be more composed.

Elias Jelert - 7.5: He was having a brilliant game before his injury. Defensively sound and a real threat going forward, creating two chances for his teammates. His energy and quality were a huge asset. It was a real shame to see him forced off.

Midfielders

Cameron Archer - 5.5: A very disappointing performance. The thing we'll remember is the big chance he missed from close range. He was largely anonymous for long periods and was rightly substituted. Not his day at all.

Samuel Edozie - 7.5: A livewire performance. His pace and trickery caused Leicester problems all afternoon. He did brilliantly to win the penalty, showing great skill and determination. He was a constant outlet for his team before being subbed off.

Kuryu Matsuki - 6.5: An energetic and busy performance in midfield. He was always looking to get on the ball and drive the team forward. While he lacked a bit of quality in the final third, his work rate was commendable. A solid squad player.

Oriol Romeu - 6.5: A typically combative and tidy performance from the experienced midfielder. He broke up play effectively and used the ball intelligently. He provided a solid screen for the defence before being replaced. Job done.

Cameron Bragg - 7.0: An unsung hero in the middle of the park. He recovered the ball ten times and was constantly involved in the play. He picked up a yellow card but his defensive contribution was vital. A really determined performance.

Forwards

Cyle Larin - 6.5: Scored the penalty with great composure, which is the most important thing. However, his overall contribution was limited. He struggled to hold up the ball and lost a lot of his duels. The goal bumps up his rating significantly.

Substitutes

Sufianu Sillah Dibaga - 6.5: Brought on to offer fresh legs and had a decent shot saved.

Barnaby Williams - 6.0: Helped to see out the game in midfield.

Finn Azaz - 6.5: Looked to be positive and had a couple of shots from distance.

Nicholas Oyekunle - 6.5: Made a nuisance of himself and drew a couple of fouls.

Brien-Whitmarsh - 6.0: Had little time to make a major impact.

James Bree - 8.0: The match-winner! What an impact from the substitute. He came on and scored the decisive goal with a fantastic header. You can't ask for more than that. The undisputed hero for Southampton.

Manager

Tonda Eckert - 8.0: He got his tactics spot on. His team was organized and resilient. His use of substitutes was perfect, with James Bree coming on to score the winner. A fantastic managerial performance that won his team the game.

Man of the Match

James Bree of Southampton was the man of the match in the Southampton vs Leicester City game.

Worst Performer

Leicester's Caleb Okoli was the worst of the lot in this FA Cup tie.