Phillips prevents Saints being out-Foxed

Former Saint Mickey Adams' men were almost too good for Saints in the season's opening fixture and only the arrival of Phillips spared Southampton's blushes.

Saints started the season with a less than full strength side due to injuries to Niemi and Marsden. Gordon Strachan also left Fabrice Fernandes on the bench, opting for a more defensively minded Paul Telfer.

Up front, Kevin Phillips was on the bench due to a lack of match fitness, but more surprisingly Brett Ormerod wasn't in the squad at all. Strachan instead went with Anders Svensson operating behind James Beattie.

Saints defensive line up was punished in the first five minutes after Mike Riley awarded a rather dubious penalty. It was converted by Paul Dickov after Michael Svensson was adjudged to have pushed Les Ferdinand.

Saints then went two behind with Les Ferdinand getting his first goal for his new club. Unfortunately for Saints Ferdinand clashed heads with Lundekvam in the process and Saints star defender had to leave the park.

Ferdinand was able to continue after treatment, and will clearly be a huge influence in Leicester's survival bid.

Danny Higginbotham came on to replace Lundekvam for Saints.

Saints almost pulled one back, but James Beattie's effort was cleared off the line. At the other end, Paul Dickov had a couple of opportunities to extend Leicester's lead.

Matt Oakley looked to get forward to boost Saints chances, but his powerful shot was saved by Ian Walker.

Leicester continued to have the better of the chances in the first half with Jones doing well to keep out a Gillespie shot. At the other end, James Beattie had the best opportunity for Saints just before half time, but his free kick went straight to Walker after beating the wall.

Strachan brought on Kevin Phillips in the second half to give his side some fire power. Anders Svensson went off, the experiment of placing him behind a single striker clearly not having worked.

A late challenge from Alan Rodgers on Beattie gave Saints a chance from the free kick. Phillips' right footed shot went a foot over the bar.

Phillips showed his defensive qualities as well a minute later charging down a Leicester free kick.

Leicester picked up a third booking as Paul Dickov upended Kevin Phillips.

At the fans forum, Gordon Strachan gave an indication that he would be altering the team depending on the circumstances and that it wouldn't always be the best team in terms of ability.

Phillips had an excellent chance to head Saints back into the game after fifty five minutes. Le Saux put in an excellent cross and Phillips did well to get it on target. Phillips, even though not match fit, already looked like a very good Saints player.

The former Sunderland player's tracking back, vision and runs were all excellent and he was one of the best players on the park for Southampton.

The game continued to be fast paced and end to end after Phillip's chance, with neither side having a dominant period.

Phillips' good work began to pin Leicester back and he had a second, glancing header from seven yards out.

While Leicester could easily cope with any high deliveries, they had trouble dealing with Saints superior passing.

But Saints attacking play couldn't be converted into goals, and Leicester were content to soak up as much Saints pressure as possible and stage the occasional break.

With twenty three minutes remaining, Paul Telfer came off for Fabrice Fernandes. Telfer had done little to get Saints back into the game, and Fernandes came on as a much more attacking option.

Neil McCann had an ambitious effort from thirty yards, but his lob failed to cause any real danger to Ian Walker in the Leicester goal.

Saints were finally rewarded for their better play with fifteen minutes to go. A fantastic shot from Kevin Phillips from mroe than thirty yards went rocketing in. Phillips effortlessly lost his man, created space and put it into the top corner.

Muzzy Izzet got a chance on the Saints goal after the kick off, and a minute later the home side had a penalty claim turned down by Riley. Riley saw that the ball wnet to Michael Svensson's arm rather than any foul play from the Swede.

With only a one goal advantage Leicester fell back to clear their lines. It failed to stopp the Saints onslaught, and James Beattie's left foot shot went into the roof of the net.

Once again, Phillips was instrumental in the goal, his initial effort coming off Ian Walker's post.

The game settled down with no clear chances until Leicester hit the cross bar from a corner lick. Scowcroft's header looped up and almost went into the net on the way back down.

Leicester continued to put on some late pressure but Jordon Stewart's shot was dragged wide of the goal.

Scowcroft got another header, but failed to trouble the Saints goal. Southampton dropped back to deal with the Leicester pressure and Jason Dodd and James Beattie did well to prevent any danger.

Neil McCann picked up a late booking on his debut, for executing a clean recovering tackle, judged a fould by Riley. There were no further incidents during injury time and Saints held on for a point at the Walkers Stadium.

Despite the two goal deficit, Saints were by far the better passing side. However until the arrival of Kevin Phillips, the team looked disjointed and lacking in ideas.

The idea of playing Anders Svensson behind James Beattie clearly didn't work. With Phillips now fit, it should be the last time we see it tried.

Without Phillips, Saints would have lost this match, and we need others to stand up and be counted creatively. Our players on the flanks, Telfer and McCann, did little going forward although McCann improved as the game went on.

To be fair, with the height in Leicester's defence putting in high balls for Beattie would have been a fairly pointless exercise.

Le Saux, our other debutant did very well, showing his obvious class. Saints will find him to be a better all round player than Bridge, and should take advantage of his versatility.

Saints will be happy to have avoided defeat today, but they will have to be a lot sharper in the midfield to get ahead of better opponents than Leicester.