Southampton manager Russell Martin insists Leicester should be criticised as much as his side despite winning 4-1 at St Mary’s.
Saints conceded after 21 seconds to a thumping Jamie Vardy finish before Kasey McAteer, Wilfred Ndidi and Stephy Mavididi also netted as the Foxes ran riot.
But Martin, who saw Sam Edozie pull one back and Kamaldeen Sulemana sent off late on, thinks the result did not reflect the two sides’ performances.
He said: “It is a very different feeling to Sunderland (5-0 defeat). I am proud of the players, people will criticise me for saying that but they did what we asked of them.
“I take loads from that and it was a much better performance than Sunderland.
“If anyone expected there not to be any pain when it is such a big change then they are very naive.
“Leicester lost the ball as much as we did but they have come out on the right end of the scoreline so Enzo (Maresca) will not get criticised.
“I asked the players to go toe to toe with a really good team and I thought it was a very good game.
“We made life difficult for ourselves by conceding two early goals. They were really clinical and we weren’t. They took their chances and we didn’t.
“People can read what they want into it but if we took our chances it is a very different scoreline.
“It was a tough atmosphere which I understand because we were 2-0 down in 20 minutes.
“They have to do their best to shut that out. But the only way we can get them off our backs is to win games and make everyone feel positive.
“On Tuesday both the fans and the players have a choice about how to approach it. The supporters have the choice of coming to support or causing anxieties.
“They have been great since I’ve been here and I’d have been annoyed if we had started like we did and lost.”
Vardy’s opener, his first in the Championship this season after Mavididi’s fine pull back, was followed quickly by McAteer controlling and slotting in after Saints gave the ball away in midfield.
Edozie bagged his second of the campaign but Ndidi’s finish handed the Foxes back their two-goal advantage before the interval, with Mavididi getting the goal his performance deserved in the 67th minute.
Leicester manager Enzo Maresca said: “I am very happy. Winning the game is always important, it is never easy but the performance on and off the ball was very good.
“Sometimes like tonight we were a little more clinical and more clear in our decision-making.
“Since day one we have arrived quite well in the last third but we miss the right choices and aren’t patient, but tonight it worked better.
“We still need to improve and add new solutions. I don’t like basketball games. We know they want the same way of playing as us – keep the ball and try to win. So we knew we couldn’t control the game for 90 minutes.
“The way we worked off the ball, how aggressive we were, was the key point.
“Stephy is an important player for us but tonight was a good performance from all the players.”
[(Zrinjski Mostar) Neutral]: 1. Zrinjski Mostar secured a 0-0 draw with NK Siroki Brijeg in the last game. They drew 3 of the last 4 games, showing a lack of winning strength.2. Zrinjski Mostar scored 5 goals in the last 5 games, revealing mediocre attack.3. Both sides drew their two encounters, showing comparable mentalities.[(Zrinjski Mostar) Weakness]: 1. Zrinjski Mostar conceded 8 goals in the...
[(Lech Poznan) Strength]: 1. Lech Poznan were eliminated by Crvena Zvezda in the second round of the Champions League this season. They can now only fight to enter the Europa League. Facing K.R.C. Genk, the team have to take home advantage to secure the lead in this game.2. Lech Poznan scored 19 goals in the last 9 games across all competitions, averaging over 2 goals per game, which showed stable...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Here we go / Eze to Arsenal Kai Havertz set for spell out with knee injury (David Ornstein) Freedom Freedom!! Garnacho only wants to join Chelsea. lol Cole Palmer ThisPlease stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, PL__OOC)...
[(Brann) Strength]: 1. Brann are an Eliteserien team. In the third round of the UEFA Europa League this season, they narrowly won 2-1 on aggregate against Allsvenskan side BK Hacken, advancing to the Play-off round. In this first leg at home, the team are full of motivation.2. In the third round of the UEFA Europa League this season, Brann's starting forward Saevar Magnusson scored a brace for his...
[(Panathinaikos F.C.) Strength]: 1. Panathinaikos F.C., powerhouses in the Greece Super League 1, currently have a squad value of over 90 million euros, approaching 100 million euros.2. In the last UEFA Europa League match, Panathinaikos F.C. drew 0-0 with the Ukrainian powerhouses FC Shakhtar Donetsk on aggregate and advanced after a penalty shootout.3. Panathinaikos F.C. have an impressive home ...
Napoli open talks to land Hojlund as Man Utd aim to sellAccording to Fabrizio Romano, Napoli have had positive talks with Rasmus Hojlund's representatives as the player is willing to make a move back to Italy. The striker, however, has laid down certain conditions, which include guarantees of his staying at the club on a long-term basis and not just a mere loan move. Talks are ongoing between Napo...
Atletico Madrid set asking price for SorlothAlexander Sorloth is unsettled at Atletico Madrid.The Norway striker has questioned where he sits in coach Diego Simeone's plans this season.The former Villarreal centre-forward wants regular football this term and is now considering his options.Fichajes.net says Atletico are prepared to sell Sorloth this month at a starting price of €30m.A move to...
Forest reach agreement with Juventus to sign Douglas Luiz in season long loan dealNottingham Forest have agreed to sign Douglas Luiz on loan from Juventus this week with an obligation to buy.The Italian giants have agreed to send the Brazilian to Forest on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy as reported by The Athletic journalist and transfer expert David Ornstein who confirmed the deal...
Bayer Leverkusen agree deal for Man City's Echeverri without an option to buuManchester City have decided to loan Claudio Echeverri out for the 2025/26 season as they agree a one year deal with Bayer Leverkusen.Borussia Dortmund submitted an official offer for the young playmaker earlier this week but have now been informed that Echeverri will join Bundesliga rivals Leverkusen. The 19-year-old onl...
Wolves, West Ham in contact as Barcelona set Casado priceA move to the Premier League is on for Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado.With Barca in need of making a major sale to register incoming signings, Sport says Casado is a prime candidate to leave in the coming days.Barca rate the Spain international at €30m, with Wolves and West Ham United in contact.Both Prem clubs are willing to meet Ba...
- 1 Brentford Agree Deal to Sign Dango Ouattara From Bournemouth
- 2 TIPS - Villarreal VS Real Oviedo
- 3 BVB, Monaco and Ajax go for unwanted West Ham midfielder Alvarez
- 4 ngland cricket legend’s granddaughter stuns in bikini
- 5 Alaves vs Levante Prediction for today 17 August 2025 - Football
- 6 Lamela explains retirement decision: It started 11 years ago...
- 7 Estevao Willian set for 'key' Chelsea role after debut vs Palace
- 8 TIPS - Gwangju FC VS Daejeon Hana Citizen
- 9 Emotional Arne Slot admits he had wanted to bring late Diogo Jota on as a substitute in Liverpool's dramatic victory over Bournemouth
- 10 Benjamin Sesko vs Viktor Gyokeres: Man Utd-Arsenal showdown sets early stage for big-money No.9s to show the Premier League what they can offer