Eckert’s Southampton Keep Rolling With A Dominant Win Over Leicester | OneFootball

Southampton are feeding off momentum. After a 3-0 victory over Leicester, they have scored 14 goals in the past four, accumulating 12 points in the process – the exact tally Will Still left with after 13 games.

But how did the Saints dominate Leicester and gain their first clean-sheet victory, and could Eckert be given the job now?

First Half

It was a cagey first 15 minutes. Neither side established control — an opening where two teams were trying to find their feet. Half chances from Harry Winks and Leo Scienza were wide of the target, leaving both keepers quiet.

A foul from Abdul Fatawu ignited the Saints’ night. Ryan Manning stepped up and delivered a beautifully whipped cross to Taylor Harwood-Bellis. The English international leapt up and guided it into the net, completely wrong-footing the Leicester keeper.

The Foxes responded well, however. From the 18th minute until just before the halfway point, they held 88% possession of the ball. The critical factor was missing, though.

Through all of that possession, chance creation was limited for both sides. As Caspar Jander shoved Fatawu off the ball, Southampton went for it. A progressive pass into Adam Armstrong led to the striker quickly swivelling and playing a first-time pass into Scienza.

The Brazilian did what he does best. Driving with the ball, he identified Finn Azaz’s darting run in-behind. Without concern of being offside, the Irishman received it, took it in his stride and, on his weaker foot, wrapped it around the diving Asmir Begovic.

Four goals and one assist – since Tonda Eckert’s takeover – have been pivotal in his recent integration into the starting eleven. His confidence has shown noticeable improvement, constantly looking forward and dribbling past players with ease.

While they had created just two shots, Southampton took them both in that mid-half spell. It was a true indicator of where both sides are at the moment. Southampton, brimming with confidence. Meanwhile, Leicester are unable to get to grips with their return to the Championship.

Leicester fullback Olabade Aluko was expected to struggle, and that was the case for his short spell on the pitch. Winger Tom Fellows had been running Aluko ragged whenever they had an encounter, and an insightful pass from Azaz saw Fellows getting around the debuting defender. He couldn’t catch up and wrapped himself around Fellows – a foul that saw the referee send him off, without hesitation, after a second booking.

Moving Oliver Skipp to left back was a switch that underlined the Foxes’ huge dilemma. The 25-year-old held his own but was constantly second best to the Saints’ danger man.

Threatening corners kept coming for the home side. Seven in total, each providing a different routine. And the classic inswinger from Manning found Harwood-Bellis once again, who steered it into the side netting.

Second Half

It was a performance that replicated the Saints’ second-half display against Charlton. No need to put unnecessary pressure on the players, substituting for rotation ahead of Millwall on the weekend.

Leicester had one objective: damage control.

Zero shots, with just seven passes in the final third, was all that could be done. They maintained their 4-2 shape (in the defence and midfield) and sacrificed their attacking options. Chances for Adam Armstrong and Jay Robinson couldn’t find the target, and that was all she wrote at St Mary’s.

A Tactical Look

It was clear that Eckert and his side had a focus on set-pieces. Two goals from Harwood-Bellis showed that games can be won from just these situations. The Englishman’s movement was superb. A reversing movement saw him completely lose his marker and occupy a free, unmarked space in the box.

From short corners to outswinging floaters, the variety was too much for the Foxes, and the sustained pressure on the ball created just enough chances for the Saints to take and finish the job.

Southampton operated in a back five, resulting in Leicester’s press being almost ineffective. While they were an improvement from Charlton last weekend, Eckert’s men realised that, if either Downes or Jander dropped slightly deeper to offer an extra man, the Leicester players would follow.

This led to space for creative chief Finn Azaz to float everywhere in front of the Leicester defence. Taylor Harwood-Bellis would often find him free and kickstart attacking plays. Darting runs from the midfielders between the Leicester defence were a constant threat too. The transition from a 5-2-3 to having occasionally five players on the last line of opposition defence highlights the tactical flexibility in place.

A counter-attacking-based game was exactly what Eckert meant by seeing a different type of performance from the weekend. The transitions are exactly where Fellows and Scienza thrive out wide, with the space to play freely. Previously, the Saints averaged far more possession (60% compared to 51% now), meaning a constant lack of space to be effective due to low-blocks.

Manager Thoughts

The German interim has significantly boosted the South Coast outfit’s hopes for the season. Even Scienza couldn’t contain his praise, stating, “Give the man the job,” in the post-match interview today.

Could Eckert be given the job?

This result won’t guarantee Eckert the permanent role, but it unquestionably strengthens his case. Four successive wins, improved performances, growing player confidence, and a clear tactical identity are things Southampton were desperately missing a month ago. The atmosphere at St Mary’s has shifted — players are responding, fans are buying in, and crucially, the numbers are turning.

Whether the board acts now or waits until after the weekend clash against Millwall, Eckert has placed himself firmly at the forefront of the conversation.