Leicester City staged a dramatic late comeback to defeat Southampton 3-2 in a Premier League thriller at St. Mary’s Stadium, with Ghanaian striker Jordan Ayew scoring the winning goal deep into added time.
Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi played a crucial role in Leicester’s midfield, just days after returning from international duty with Nigeria.
Ndidi and his compatriots had endured challenging circumstances during their recent trip to Libya, but he shook off that experience to help inspire the Foxes to a hard-fought victory.
Southampton, struggling for form this season, took the lead through Joe Aribo in the first half, before Cameron Archer doubled the advantage.
The Saints were searching for their first Premier League win of the season, and their early goals appeared to set them on course for a much-needed victory.
Aribo’s opener came just five minutes into the match, and Archer’s goal followed swiftly after, leaving Leicester facing an uphill battle.
However, despite Southampton’s strong start, Leicester remained determined, creating chances and applying pressure throughout the game.
Leicester’s persistence paid off when Facundo Buonanotte’s header gave the visitors a lifeline in the 64th minute.
Buonanotte’s goal was set up by Abdul Fatawu, who had an immediate impact after coming on as a substitute.
The Ghanaian winger’s cross found Buonanotte perfectly positioned, and his header flew past Aaron Ramsdale, giving Leicester the momentum they needed.
The turning point came late in the second half when Southampton’s Fraser was sent off after a VAR review confirmed he had grabbed Jamie Vardy’s shirt inside the penalty area.
Vardy stepped up to take the penalty and coolly converted, leveling the score at 2-2 in the 85th minute.
It was Vardy’s third goal of the season and his 13th career strike against Southampton.
With Southampton reduced to 10 men, Leicester sensed an opportunity to complete the comeback.
The decisive moment arrived in the eighth minute of added time when Harry Winks found Ayew unmarked on the edge of the box.
The forward took his chance, firing a low shot into the bottom corner, sparking wild celebrations among the Leicester players and fans.
Ayew’s dramatic winner marked the end of Southampton’s hopes, leaving their players stunned on the pitch as the final whistle blew.
The defeat extended Southampton’s winless run to 21 Premier League games, putting further pressure on manager Russell Martin, who is yet to secure a top-flight victory this season.
Leicester’s remarkable comeback adds to their growing momentum under manager Steve Cooper.
The victory moves them further up the table, while Southampton’s struggles continue as they search for a way to break their winless streak.
For Ndidi, his performance in the heart of Leicester’s midfield was a testament to his resilience, helping to guide the Foxes to an important win as they look to build on their positive form in the weeks ahead.
