Toothless Southampton staring at relegation after Leicester draw

Southampton face relegation to the Championship after a tame 0-0 draw against Leicester at the King Power Stadium.

Both sides created few chances in an underwhelming match. Cedric volleyed wide for Southampton, and Shane Long’s close-range shot was well blocked by Leicester keeper Ben Hamer. At the other end, Jamie Vardy’s acrobatic volleyed lob was tipped over by Alex McCarthy.

Kelechi Iheanacho, who impressed for Leicester in the first half, also placed an effort just wide. There were only four shots on target and no bookings, a reflection of a low-key contest.

Southampton ended up hanging on for a draw in a match they really needed to win. The point leaves them four points off safety with only four matches remaining.

With one of those games against the champions Manchester City, Mark Hughes and his team are fast running out of time.

Should Mark Hughes have been more aggressive? It made sense for Southampton to start with just one man up front and try to stay in the game in the first half. But it was hard to understand why, when Charlie Austin came on as substitute in the second half, it was at the expense of the lone striker Shane Long. Southampton took no risks and got no rewards.

Marc Albrighton (Leicester): The unsung hero of the Premier League had a fine match in an unfamiliar role at right-back. He controlled the dangerous Ryan Bertrand, worked like a beast and played some dangerous passes when he pushed forward.

Leicester: Hamer 6, Albrighton 7, Dragovic 7, Maguire 6, Chilwell 6, Mahrez 6, Silva 6, Ndidi 6, Gray 5, Iheanacho 6, Vardy 6. Subs: Diabate 7, Choudhury 6, Barnes 6

Southampton: McCarthy 6, Bednarek 6, Yoshida 7, Hoedt 7, Cedric 6, Romeu 5, Hojbjerg 6, Bertrand 6, Ward-Prowse 5, Tadic 5, Long 6. Subs: Davis 6, Austin 6, Redmond 6.

15’ - JUST WIDE FROM IHEANACHO! His first shot was blocked but he collected the rebound, turned beautifully and placed the ball just wide of the far post with McCarthy motionless.

39’ - GOOD CHANCE FOR SOUTHAMPTON! This is a better spell for Southampton, who are slowly growing into the game. Long's deep cross is met on the volley by Cedric, who batters his shot wide of the near post. That was an excellent chance.

57’ - VITAL SAVE FROM HAMER! Tadic's deflected shot breaks to Long, who lashes a shot on the turn from six yards. Hamer smothers the shot and it deflects behind for a corner

70’ - GREAT EFFORT FROM VARDY! Albrighton drills a long pass over the top to Vardy, who jumps and stretches to lob a brilliant volley towards goal that is tipped over by McCarthy.

Southampton have won only one of their last 21 league games, a 3-2 win at West Brom in February.