The race to finish in the top two in the Championship now looks a lot clearer. Leicester City smashed Southampton to win 5-0, pretty much securing their place at the top of the Championship table.
Going into the game, just four points separated the top three after Leeds had secured an important win at Middlesbrough. Leicester hosted a Saints side that needed a win, to stage a late top-two comeback.
They needed to beat Enzo Maresca’s side to go within two points of Ipswich. But, it was always going to be Leicester’s night at the King Power – even if they were only 1-0 up and close, until after the hour mark.
Abdul Fatawu netted on 25 minutes. But after the second goal went in, scored by Wilfried Ndidi on 62 minutes, Southampton capitulated. Fatawu went on to get a hat-trick – Jamie Vardy also scoring one.
Leicester place two hands on Championship title with 5-0 win
Vardy spoke after the match about how Leicester must remain focused and get the job done, but it is pretty much done now – in terms of who will hold aloft the Championship trophy. Leicester, four clear.
With two games to play, Maresca’s men have more than one hand on the trophy and come Monday night, they will need a win to secure it. For Southampton, it is the play-offs – six behind Leeds, two to play.
A much inferior goal difference means Russell Martin’s side will be in the play-offs. So, attention now turns to the fight for second – between Leeds and Ipswich. Leeds on 90 from 44, Ipswich have 89 from 43.
Neil Warnock wants Ipswich to be promoted, over Leeds
Neil Warnock spoke ahead of Leicester’s win over Southampton on Sky Sports and he explains why he would love to see Ipswich get promoted – and given the table, that means ahead of his old Leeds side.
“You look at the top four clubs, three of those clubs you’d expect to be promoted without a shadow of a doubt, then you’ve got Ipswich really really doing well. I voted for him as my manager of the year.
“It’s going to be a great end to the season, I’m looking forward to it. I love the underdog so I hope Ipswich keep going and spoil the party,” Warnock said, during his pre-match analysis onSky Sports.