Leicester City Routs Southampton 5-0, Nears Premier League Return

Leicester City moved to the brink of securing promotion back to the Premier League with a dominant 5-0 victory over Southampton in a Championship match on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The Foxes, who were relegated from the top flight last season, now need just one more win or a Leeds United defeat to clinch automatic promotion with two games remaining.

Ghana winger Abdul Fatawu was the star for Leicester, scoring a hat-trick as the Foxes edged closer to promotion. Wilfred Ndidi and Jamie Vardy also found the net as the hosts took a commanding lead by halftime and never looked back. Southampton's hopes of finishing in the top two and earning promotion were effectively ended by the heavy defeat, as they now sit six points behind second-place Leeds with a significantly inferior goal difference.

Why this matters: Leicester City's imminent return to the Premier League holds major significance for the club and its supporters after the disappointment of relegation last year. Promotion would provide a vital financial boost and allow the Foxes to compete again at the highest level of English football.

Leicester manager Enzo Maresca praised his team's performance after the match, saying they have been "fantastic" in learning his ideas and playing style throughout the season. "I think the players have been fantastic. They understand my ideas and the way I want to play," Maresca said. "We can play even better but I'm very happy with the players."

Southampton boss Russell Martin acknowledged his side's poor display, particularly after falling behind 2-0 in the first half. "I think up until the first goal we were well in the game. The first goal is then a foul on Che Adams, he gets pulled to the ground. The second goal is then poor from our perspective," Martin said. "It then descended into what it descended to. A 5-0 scoreline is madness really."

Leicester can confirm their Premier League return with a win at Preston North End on Monday, April 29, or in their final match at home against Blackburn Rovers. They could also secure promotion if Leeds loses at Queens Park Rangers on Friday. For Southampton, the loss means they will have to compete in the promotion playoffs, with their final two regular season matches now having little impact on their fate.

Key Takeaways

• Leicester City thrashed Southampton 5-0, moving closer to Premier League promotion.
• Ghana's Abdul Fatawu scored a hat-trick, with Ndidi and Vardy also netting.
• Promotion would provide Leicester a financial boost and return to top-flight football.
• Southampton's hopes of automatic promotion were effectively ended by the heavy defeat.
• Leicester can confirm promotion with a win or a Leeds United defeat in the coming matches.