Why Southampton's shock 4-3 win over Leicester City was more historic than you think | OneFootball

Southampton recorded a historical comeback away to Leicester City on Tuesday evening

Southampton, against the odds, came back from 3-0 down away to Leicester City on Tuesday night to win 4-3, with this victory a truly memorable one for the Saints in more ways than one.

By most accounts, Southampton’s return to the Championship this season has not gone to plan, though, now under Tonda Eckert, the Saints are remarkably within touching distance of the top six despite a dismal start to the campaign.

Former Reims and Lens boss Will Still was entrusted with taking charge of the club upon their return to the second tier, but his tenure ended in disaster, with just four wins in 16 games before his dismissal.

The club’s Under-21’s boss, Eckert, stepped up to the top job at St Mary’s, initially on an interim basis, which was then made permanent after a good run of form.

Prior to their victory over Leicester City, Southampton were unbeaten in four, winning three of those, though after finding themselves 3-0 down within half an hour, it looked certain that run would end; a truly incredible second half from the Saints would have other ideas, though, in a history-making comeback by the club.

Southampton overturned a three-goal deficit to achieve a historical victory over Leicester City

Southampton started their away tie against Leicester as badly as it could possibly get, with goals from Divine Mukasa, Patson Daka, and Abdul Fatawu seeing the Foxes race into a 3-0 lead within the first half-hour.

Eckert would make a triple change at half-time, with Ross Stewart, Kuryu Matsuki, and Shea Charles replacing Caspar Jander, Tom Fellows, and Cameron Archer. However, little did the German know just how effective these substitutions would prove to be.

Stewart pulled one back just after the hour mark to ignite the comeback, followed by strikes from Jack Stephens and Ryan Manning to level the game, before Charles curled the ball into the far corner with his left foot to secure all three points for the Saints in the dying embers.

Indeed, this dramatic victory is significant in more than one way for Southampton, who, for the first time in their history from records dating back to 1890, have finally overturned a three-goal deficit to win a match, according to Duncan Holley and Keith Fray via X.

Amazingly, as per Ben Crellin via X, it was 2,300 days ago when Southampton found themselves 3-0 down to Leicester at St Mary’s in the Premier League, which they would infamously lose 9-0, and over six years later, the Saints have finally found some revenge for that humiliation in historic, dramatic fashion.

Following their historic victory, Southampton should need little more proof that they are more than capable of breaking their way into the play-off places this campaign.

Whilst it didn’t go to plan, under Still, Eckert’s decision to stick with a 4-2-3-1 shape instead of switching to a 3-4-3 is paying dividends, and looks to have finally found the perfect formula for his side.

With Taylor Harwood-Bellis leading from the back, Flynn Downes and Shea Charles breaking up play in the midfield, and the likes of Leo Scienza, Finn Azaz, and Tom Fellows providing for Ross Stewart and Cyle Larin, Southampton have an extremely talented squad.

Eckert now looks to be getting the best out of them, with their remarkable comeback providing all the belief they need to go on and make their way into the top six come May.