After coming from two goals down to draw with Leeds United the previous week, Southampton went one better on Saturday and came from behind to beat Leicester City to secure their first win of the season.
After much deliberation, Ralph Hasenhüttl decided that the 4222 formation that was instrumental to the Leeds comeback at St Mary’s was the best way to approach the game with Leicester. Whilst it was reverting to a formation Southampton know well, it was more fluid than it has been previously with the shape looking more like a 433 or 4231 at times. The manager’s decision to scrap the 352 was proven to be the correct one by the result, but more so by the performance. Although Southampton went behind, this was through a James Maddison free-kick rather than a chance created from open play, Maddison’s goal was in fact Leicester’s only shot on target in a second half that Southampton dominated.
For the second time in as many games, it was Hasenhüttl’s substitutions that made the difference. Che Adams came off the bench and looked like a man determined to make his mark following a week of transfer speculation. The Scotland international striker lost his place in the starting lineup having only trained once due to a knock sustained against Leeds, but came on in the 59th minute to score both goals; the second of which was an emphatic acrobatic volley from a curling James Ward-Prowse cross. Adams was only denied a hat-trick by the post, having received the ball with his back to goal before swivelling and striking on the turn. After Sékou Mara and Adam Armstrong both came off of the bench to assist in the Leeds comeback, Hasenhüttl’s substitutions bore fruit again at the King Power Stadium.
Adams’ introduction was the catalyst for the turnaround against a Leiceister side lacking in confidence, but what was it about the striker’s introduction that changed things so dramatically?
Firstly, his presence and work rate were enough to present the Leicester back four with a new challenge. Daniel Amartey is less than convincing as a central defender and Adams targeted him, making it an uncomfortable 31 minutes for the Ghanaian. Although Adams only won one of his six aerial duels in the game, the pressure he applied in challenging Leiceister’s defenders was enough to have both Amartey and Jonny Evans on edge from the moment he entered the fray. Armstrong and Mara both did their jobs in terms of pressing high up the pitch and defending from the front prior to Adams coming on, but neither of these strikers possess the physical presence that Adams does which allows him to compete with much taller defenders.
The Scot’s impact was undoubtedly immensely pleasing for Hasenhüttl, especially as the Austrian must have been concerned about the potential lack of goals of the three senior strikers currently in his squad. However, perhaps even more satisfying was the fact that both of Southampton’s goals were from patterns of play that came straight from the training ground.
Southampton fans would have been forgiven for groaning as they watched Mohammed Salisu trot up the pitch in the 68th minute to take a long throw-in given the lack of success Southampton had achieved with this tactic to date. This time was different, though. Salisu looped the ball high towards his centre-back partner, Armel Bella-Kotchap, who pinned the Leicester defender behind him and laid the ball off to Adams; the striker having cleverly spun to lose his marker. Adams had managed to find a pocket of space in a crowded Leicester box to fire into the back of the net from eight yards via a James Justin touch. If there was any doubt that this was a training ground routine that had just been executed perfectly, Ward-Prowse’s jubilant look towards the bench in celebration gave it away. Make no mistake about it, this was a goal born at the Staplewood training complex.
The second goal was perhaps less obviously a training ground routine due to the fact that it was in open play, but it was a pattern of play that has clearly been subject to constant repetition by the Southampton players. Kyle Walker-Peters received the ball high on the right wing and stood up his Leicester counterpart before turning back on himself where he knew Ward-Prowse would be waiting in the half-space between the right channel and the centre of the pitch. He laid the ball back to the skipper, who whipped the ball into the box as he does so well. Adams then used his experience expertly, peeling off of Amartey and instead getting his body between Timothy Castagne and the incoming ball. A more natural central defender than Amartey would be less likely to get drawn to the ball and would have had a clearer picture of where Adams was but by the time Amartey realised what was happening it was too late; Adams was in prime position between full-back and central defender. The part of this goal that was a result of spontaneity rather than training ground repetition was the finish itself. The ball was dropping slightly behind Adams so when he made contact to volley it into the net his body was virtually parallel – an incredible finish followed by an emphatic celebration.
Looking ahead, Southampton have an intriguing quick-fire double header in the league against Manchester United and Chelsea. These are two opponents which pose different challenges, but the thing they have in common is their unpredictability. Manchester United lost their opening two games but will now be confident after beating Liverpool and the signing of Casemiro should invigorate them, while Chelsea are fresh from a 3-0 loss against Leeds. Adams starting up front is now a non-negotiable given the confidence he will have from his brace at Leicester followed by a midweek brace against Cambridge United in the Carabao Cup. The real question now is who will partner him? There may be some rotation between the games with Manchester United and Chelsea but it is likely that the back four will remain the same as against Leicester. Roméo Lavia and Ward-Prowse are developing a solid partnership in the double-pivot positions and should continue their good work. Three of the four positions are up for grabs ahead of them, though.
Moi Elyounoussi started against both Leicester and Leeds the week before that, but may see his place lost to Joe Aribo, while Stuart Armstrong is getting fitter by the game and his strength in running with the ball could be a very useful asset against a United team who have shown defensive vulnerability in the season’s opening weeks. It is likely to be a straight shootout between Sékou Mara and Adam Armstrong for the role partnering Adams up top. Armstrong is still unconvincing in front of goal but has certainly had an impact early in the season, while Mara’s youthful exuberance and raw talent make him an exciting prospect. Given the opposition, Hasenhüttl may well favour Armstrong’s experience over the 20-year-old Mara but it is likely both will have a part to play; whether that be starting or from the bench.
One player who has given his manager something to think about is 17-year-old Dominic Ballard. The youth product has a growing reputation at junior level and by scoring off the bench on his senior debut against Cambridge United he has only enhanced his stock. Whilst it is very unlikely he will have a big role to play in the upcoming league games, Ballard may well have earned the right to be part of the first team squad for the foreseeable future.
