Izzett wins it on the rebound

Muzzy Izzett scored the winner for Leicester

Southampton 1-2 Leicester

A bizarre winner from Muzzy Izzett gave Leicester maximum points at The Dell as they stepped up their campaign for a top-half finish with a comfortable Premiership win in the south-coast sunshine.

Southampton squandered an early lead and after falling behind they suffered a late blow when Dean Richards was sent off a minute from time.

Match facts

4: Kachloul gives Southampton the lead

22: Cottee equalises for Leicester

60: Izzett wins the game for the visitors

89: Richards' dismissal completes Saints' misery

The central defender was shown the red card by referee Mike Reed after he clashed with Robbie Savage by a corner flag and appeared to kick the Leicester midfielder.

Hassan Kachloul had given Glenn Hoddle's men the lead right at the start, before goals in either half from Tony Cottee and Izzett earned the Foxes three points.

The Saints left the field to a chorus of jeers, as the home fans left them in no doubt about how abject their second-half capitulation had been.

Moroccan opener

The game began brightly enough for Southampton with a goal in the third minute.

Kachloul collected a pass from Stuart Ripley and the Moroccan beat former Dell keeper Tim Flowers with a shot that deflected in off Frank Sinclair.

After their encouraging start, Saints surrendered the advantage and Leicester took control of proceedings.

After a string of fine saves from Southampton's reserve goalkeeper Neil Moss, Cottee put the visitors in front.

Matt Elliott sent Cottee through and the veteran striker fired home from 15 yards out.

Saints pushed on towards the end of the first half and Neil Lennon was forced to clear off the line from Jo Tessem, who also saw a 30-yard free-kick deflected over the bar.

Goalkeeping error

Moss continued to keep Southampton in the game, with saves from Lennon and Elliott.

But the keeper was at fault as Leicester scored the winner with an hour on the clock.

Moss tried to kick clear under pressure, but instead just smacked the ball against the legs of the on-rushing Izzett and watched helplessly as it rebounded over the line.

That was enough for Leicester, who hit cruise control to head for the points.

Richards, though, hit the self-destruct button as he headed for an early bath.

Teams:

Southampton: Moss, Dodd, Tahar, Richards, Bridge, Ripley, Tessem, Marsden, Kachloul, Davies, Pahars.
Subs: Lundekvam, Soltvedt, Oakley, Rodrigues, Bevan.

Leicester: Flowers, Sinclair, Taggart, Gilchrist, Impey, Izzet, Savage, Lennon, Guppy, Elliott, Cottee.
Subs: Walsh, Eadie, Marshall, Arphexad, Oakes.

Referee: M Reed (Birmingham)