- Leicester City saw off Southampton 3-2 in the Premier League on Saturday
- Facundo Buonanotte, Jamie Vardy and Jordan Ayew all netted for the Foxes
- Steve Cooper gave his take on a comeback win from his side after full-time
The Foxes were up against it at half-time, trailing by two goals courtesy of strikes from Cameron Archer and Joe Aribo inside the opening half an hour at St. Mary’s Stadium, but once Facundo Buonanotte clawed one back, Leicester were in with a shout.
And after Ryan Fraser was shown a straight red card for pulling Jamie Vardy back, the Foxes captain stepped up to convert the resulting spot-kick, before Jordan Ayew netted a dramatic last-gasp winner in front of the Foxes faithful, sparking jubilant scenes in the away end.
City’s Manager commented following full-time: “Of course, it’s a brilliant way to win and hopefully when we look back on the season it will become a memorable day, for the supporters first of foremost, who spend a lot of money on travel and going through everything as they do, the emotions.
“It’ll be one they won’t forget in a season we’re trying to make successful. They’ll go out of the stadium feeling good.
“I’m not going to ignore the first half and hide away from that because that’s my job. We didn’t do very well on the goals we conceded, we could have done a lot better with the ball, but I always felt we were in the game.
“We could and should have scored off a couple of set pieces. Bilal [El Khannouss] hit the woodwork and we’ve had enough chances. Half-time was a few things about the game tactically, but it was more about heart and soul, belief, concentration, not giving up and boy did we show that and we did it with style.”
Abdul Fatawu’s introduction sparked a change in the momentum in City’s favour, while fellow substitute Ayew was the man to make the difference right at the end, keeping a calm head, prompting Cooper to reference the contributions throughout the squad.
“What a show of needing everyone,” he explained. “We had players who came on and off at half-time and a little bit later to make a real impact in the game. We see players who haven’t even got on the pitch today celebrating like they’ve played 90 minutes. Those things are really important to me because I know how much you need it.
“It was brilliant to see that at the end of the game. There was a lot of that last year to get back into the Premier League but to feel it back in the Premier League and the players as well, to see those scenes, that’s what you live for, that’s what you work hard for. That’s why you fight back and when you win a game, you don’t get complacent and you go again.
“There’s players who haven’t played as many minutes this year and I know we’re going to need them throughout the season and they’ll play a big part. They’ve so many good reference points from the game that we can use to go forward with and that’s the aim.
“A lot of players made a difference in the game today. I love young players who are not just in exciting positions but all over the pitch taking opportunities. He [Fatawu] is not the only young player that we have but is an exciting talent who will continue to have a brilliant impact for the Football Club.
“He hasn’t started for a couple of games but is also becoming a Premier League player. I’ve seen it a number of times. I said the same about Facundo a couple of weeks ago. You’ve got to give them the right programme, you’ve got to push them, you’ve got to get them on track and in the end he will be more than an exciting Premier League player.
“We’ve got to help him get there but boy did he take his opportunity today and right in front of supporters as well. It was great seeing the impact that it had on that far side. I’m pleased for Abdul but we know he can do that.
“Bobby [De Cordova-Reid] came on and we have that nice mix of youngsters. With Jordan and Ricardo [Pereira], they showed that real experience.”
Momentum is being built following six points from a possible six either side of the international break and Cooper believes that Leicester are starting to show what they’re all about, albeit with more improvement still required.
“Leicester City is a Premier League club in every way,” the 44-year-old added. “My job is to become a Premier League team again because there’s no shame in that but we’re doing our very best to become that.
“I’ll review that game quickly and get back in with the players in Seagrave. It doesn’t matter who we play next because it’s about continuing our work and the journey that we want to go on and we’re really getting better at how we want to play.
“We will create more chances and score more goals and hopefully we can be a team who score in every game. We know we need to concede less and create more chances, but I know we’re on the right path.”