Southampton off the bottom with narrow win over Leicester City

James Ward-Prowse missed a penalty for Ruben Selles's side in the 32nd minute, but Carlos Alcaraz netted three minutes later, with the goal proving enough to collect a huge three points.

The Saints have moved above Bournemouth into 19th position, and they are now just three points behind 15th-placed Leicester, with the Foxes losing each of their last four matches during a disappointing run.

Tete saw a low cross deflected into the arms of Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu by Kyle Walker-Peters in the ninth minute, but the first half-chance of the match came in the 13th minute.

Smart work from James Maddison released Ricardo Pereira inside the home team's penalty box, but the right-back attempted to pick out Kelechi Iheanacho with a cross rather than looking to score himself, and the ball ultimately flew behind for a Southampton goal kick.

Leicester had a golden chance to take the lead in the 20th minute when Maddison delivered a brilliant free kick into the Southampton box, but Iheanacho could only head wide of the post.

The pressure from Brendan Rodgers's side was constant, with Southampton having to survive another dangerous period in the 24th minute, with Tete and Maddison both having shots blocked.

The hosts were awarded a penalty in the 31st minute when Theo Walcott's cross hit Timothy Castagne's arm, but Ward-Prowse saw his effort kept out by Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward.

Alcaraz and Kamaldeen Sulemana both had opportunities in the spell that followed, with the missed spot kick acting as a moment of inspiration for the Saints.

As a result, it was not a surprise when the hosts took the lead in the 35th minute, and it was a fine finish from Alcaraz, who found the back of the net from outside the box after being released by Che Adams, with the goal being awarded following a lengthy VAR check for a possible offside on the Scotland international.

Leicester had a golden chance to level early in the second half when Castagne delivered a cross onto the head of Iheanacho, but the forward nodded wide of the post.

Iheanacho had another opportunity in the 66th minute after a mistake from Bazunu, who passed the ball straight to the striker, but his effort was too high.

Southampton had a chance to double their lead in the 75th minute when Adam Armstrong met a cross from Sulemana, but his effort was over the crossbar, with the match delicately poised at St Mary's.

Iheanacho, who could have had three or four goals on another night, again missed the target in the 83rd minute, firing over the crossbar from distance, before Wout Faes headed wide five minutes from the end of the 90.

Leicester had a golden chance to level in the fifth minute of added time when Maddison found Harry Souttar's head inside the penalty box, but the centre-back's effort crashed off the top of the crossbar.

Southampton now face a trip to Old Trafford next Sunday to take on Manchester United, while Leicester will continue their Premier League campaign at home to Chelsea next Saturday.