Leicester City

Mark Scott
Final Score reporter

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Among the relief at both long-awaited goals and points at King Power Stadium, there was still a noticeable undercurrent of dissent.

Once again, Leicester City's director of football Jon Rudkin came in for stick, with cries of "Sack the board" very audible as well.

In his programme notes, chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said "there are decisions to be made", significant as these are his first comments since the club's relegation from the top flight was confirmed.

While questions about the future of Ruud van Nistelrooy will likely be top of his agenda, the supporters made it clear once again that their dissatisfaction lies further up the food chain.

Even the first goals they had seen on home turf since December were not going to distract them from that.

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We asked for your views on Leicester's Premier League match against Southampton.

Here are some of your comments:

Leicester fans

Ian: Firstly great to finally see a win. Team all played as one, with fight and grit. The movement all round was excellent. Great for Jamie Vardy too. Hopefully Leicester give him a testimonial for his 13 years of service and loyalty. Will miss him.

Andy: Makes a change to come away smiling. A win is a win, even against a very poor Southampton. Just need Vardy to get that 200th goal now.

James: This game meant very little other than try to build confidence for the difficult season ahead. It was the beginning of Vardy's farewell and a chance to flaunt some future talent. Southampton were without doubt the worst opposition we had at home this season, and we overcame them with little difficulty but the eerie atmosphere said it all. Still systemic change needed across the club, as well as that elusive internal review.

Kiran: Good win and really pleased for Vardy, but a bit too late. Ruud van Nistelrooy has to go and I am glad Mads Hermansen did not play. He is the weakest link and should be sold in the summer.

Southampton fans:

Mark: That was a gutless, lazy, pathetic excuse of a performance Saints. No effort, no desire to get forward, weird substitutions yet again. An absolute car crash display against the second worst team.

Glenn: Terrible display. The players are supposed to be professional but all season game after game it hasn't changed. They must feel so embarrassed being the worst of the worst and the owners should take full responsibility for this.

Matt: An embarrassment to our city. An embarrassment to the Premier League. 99% of that team can go, and I also wish we'd never been promoted. Sports Republic really don't know what they are doing.

Jack: I watched Saints under Ian Branfoot and that was terrible. This lot are worse.

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's Four Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Manchester City and Wolves.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Everton 2-2 Ipswich

• Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth

The latest episode of the When You're Smiling podcast has landed.

BBC Leicester's Conor O'Grady is joined by former Foxes winger Matt Piper to discuss Saturday's victory against Southampton.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Emily Salley
BBC Sport journalist

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Just two weeks ago, Leicester City fans would have been delighted to get a disappointing season over and done with.

But now it seems - even with their relegation confirmed and nothing left to play for - that the season's end could arrive too fast.

That's because when the Foxes travel to Bournemouth for their last game of the campaign on 25 May, it is likely to be the last time they will see Jamie Vardy in a Leicester jersey.

Of course it was Vardy who ended Leicester's scoring rut at King Power Stadium.

Before his 17th-minute opener against Southampton, Ruud van Nistelrooy's side had not scored a Premier League home goal since 8 December.

Now, all eyes will be on the 38-year-old for these remaining three fixtures.

Even fans of other clubs will be urging him forwards in search of that one goal that will take his tally to 200 for the club and end his 13-year stay on a high.

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Leicester forward Jamie Vardy spoke to BBC Match of the Day after scoring against Southampton: "The main thing is breaking a cycle. Not scoring at home for a while and we know we needed to get that done especially with the situation we are in and hopefully we can improve and take that momentum into next season. That's all we can do.

"It's tough. It's not like we have not given our all. It hasn't clicked, it's been one of the seasons. The gap being promoted to the Premier League now is probably the biggest it has ever been so it's even more difficult."

On playing for Leicester for 13 years: "It's been everything. You saw what I put out there. It's been mine and my family's life for 13 years. We've been taken in for by the fans and the whole city and it has meant every single thing to me personally. Hopefully with those numbers, that's me repaying them.

"When it's been your life for that long and you see the comradery with the fans and my team-mates for the last 13 years, it's been unbelievable."

On being thought of as Leicester's best player: "There have been a lot of unbelievable players for this club so to be mentioned like that is a really nice feeling. There's still a few more games where hopefully there can be a few more numbers added."

On blowing the referee's whistle: "I saw Southampton breaking down the left and with the ref down I thought I'll blow his whistle to stop the game."

On his future: "I couldn't tell you at this moment in time. I am enjoying my football and I need a nice break to mentally, especially, and physically fully refresh and then we'll see where that goes."

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Ruud van Nistelrooy spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Leicester's victory against Southampton: "It feels great to win and be back to winning ways. It was a long time, especially a home win. We wanted to end this cycle and end the season with some positivity. If there was one player to break this cycle, it had to be Jamie [Vardy]. Goal number 199. Very important for him and the team to get us in front.

"He [Vardy] is lethal. We know with this home cycle without a win, it has been difficult especially with a striker like him in the team. We knew we were creating and now the two [goals] went in and that gave us a big lift.

"Everything comes to an end and for him it is clear he wants to move on. He wants to close this in the best way possible and that's what we have to respect. The most important thing is to look back at his career here, at his games, his goals at the trophies that he wants. The crowd start realising it is the farewell tour of Jamie. With Forest and Ipswich to come for him to hopefully score his 200th goal."

On young talent in squad: "It's shaping the future what we're working on. That's what you saw today. Homegrown players who take responsibility for this club. It's exciting."

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Jamie Vardy's strike was Leicester's first home league goal since December (Bobby De Cordova-Red v Brighton), ending the Foxes run of 826 minutes without scoring at the King Power Stadium.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Leicester's performance

What did you make of Southampton's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies.

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Aston Villa v Fulham (12:30)

• Everton v Ipswich Town - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Leicester City v Southampton

• Arsenal v Bournemouth (17:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Leicester have been rotten but, somehow, Southampton have been even worse.

It is sad to see Jamie Vardy leaving the Foxes at the end of the season, but maybe this might be the send-off he deserves. I am going with him to score the winner.

These two teams actually served up a thriller at St Mary's Stadium back in October, when Vardy got one of Leicester's goals as they fought back from 2-0 down to win 3-2.

I am expecting the same outcome here, just with a lot less excitement. The readers will go for a draw, I am sure of it, but I am pretty confident about Leicester taking this one.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Alex Fletcher
BBC Sport journalist

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With just four games to go in the Premier League this season relegation has been decided.

For the second season in a row, all three promoted clubs have been sent straight back down, and 14 points separates those in the relegation zone and 17th placed West Ham.

Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town have just 10 wins between them this season, and there is still a chance that the Saints finish the campaign as the joint-worst Premier League team of all time.

But where did it all go wrong?

A struggle to survive

According to Opta, this is the worst combined points total of any group of promoted sides at this stage of the season in Premier League history

The three teams have only managed to get 50 points between them - after just 34 games - and are 14 points behind the previous record which was set last year by Sheffield United, Burnley and Luton Town.

While Leicester and Southampton have seen changes in the dugout this season, Ipswich have stuck with Kieran McKenna, but this has not changed their fortunes.

Between them, they have picked up just 21 points at home, with Southampton and Ipswich winning just once in-front of their own fans.

Promoted sides face 'more of a challenge'

And things look set to get even more difficult for those coming up from the Championship.

According to Opta, five of the lowest eight Premier League points totals for promoted sides after 34 games have come in the last eight years. Southampton are currently on the joint-lowest points total ever at this stage of the season, alongside Derby County.

Speaking before his sides relegation, Ipswich boss McKenna said the gap between the Premier League and the Championship "is getting bigger" and that "it's been getting more of a challenge for clubs to be able to bridge that".

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Former Leicester City striker Steve Howard speaking on the When You're Smiling podcast: "I want him [Ruud van Nistelrooy] to change the squad. I want him to try a different system, a different formation or different faces.

"He might be surprised and you've got to prepare for the Championship. This season is done and dusted but you have to get something out of it.

"Throw the young lads in - the ones who want to have a game - and if they can hold their own in the Premier League then they will fit in to the squad next season."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Southampton have faced more shots (605), more shots on target (234) and have a higher xG against tally (78.8) than any other side in the Premier League this season.

On the other hand, Leicester have had fewer shots (299), fewer shots on target (98) and a lower xG tally (29.2) than any other side in the Premier League this season.

The latest episode of BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast has dropped.

Former Leicester City striker Steve Howard stops by to discuss the Foxes' final four games and how Ruud van Nistelrooy can best use them to prepare for life in the Championship next season.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Southampton (kick-off 15:00).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On players who will be missing: "We are a lot thinner than before. Mads Hermansen had an operation, Jakub Stolarczyk will be in for the rest of the season. Ricardo Pereira came off with a muscle injury - he will be out for a couple of weeks but it's possible he will play again this season. Bobby De Cordova-Reid had a muscle injury, won't expect him to play again this season. Facundo Buonanotte had a concussion, he will miss Saturday but we will see about next week. Stephy Mavididi we don't expect to play again this season."

• On Stolarczyk's opportunity with Hermansen injured: "He proved in the games that he played that he developed into a Premier League keeper. It's a great opportunity for him [and] another homegrown player."

• On his future at the club: "No, still hoping to find out. Of course, the quicker the better, it's in the best interest of the club. But no news so far."

• On the difficulty of all eyes currently being on his future: "We're all hoping to find out soon. There's 70 people in the training ground who want to evaluate this season, look forward to the next. But we're also aware of our jobs, we are responsible to do our jobs as best as possible and prepare for Saturday. That's the focus we have within the bigger picture."

• On conversations within the club on his future: "I've said many times before I've been proactive in conversations in February, March and April with the board and chairman. They know where I stand and I'm looking for alignment. Moving forward you have to be aligned. That intention is there 100%."

• On the importance of the game against Southampton despite both sides being relegated: "We've been addressing it for a couple weeks now that we want the season to end as positively as possible within the situation of relegation. It's preparation for next season, so it's an interesting fixture."

• On what to expect against Southampton: "Performances like Liverpool and Brighton show the intensity, aggressiveness and willingness to play. The extra motivation is to give the best farewell to Jamie Vardy. He deserves that and the players will show that on Saturday."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Former Leicester City winger Matt Piper believes the club's hierarchy are "struggling" to make a decision on Ruud van Nistelrooy, after the Dutchman revealed he is "still waiting" to have talks about his managerial future at King Power Stadium.

Speaking on the When You're Smiling podcast, Piper says he expected the club to have already initiated talks but doesn't think they should be "in any rush" to sack him before other important decisions have been made.

"What's probably going on is that people are pointing fingers at the hierarchy of the club and the club feel they cannot afford to get another big decision wrong," he explained. "They are probably panicking.

"I can't imagine Ruud being here next year. It's not that it just won't look good, it's that he has failed miserably.

"I don't think the club are leaning one way or another. I really think they are struggling with it because they cannot afford to get another decision wrong.

"This is why 'Top' needs to really look at his position first and think about whether this is still what he wants to do. Then the club can look at making changes or bringing in more support at boardroom level because things have been going drastically wrong for a while now.

"These are decisions that need to be in place first, then they can make a decision on the manager.

"I don't think they should be in any rush to sack Ruud. This has been a disastrous season so it isn't going to make much of a difference now if you leave him in post and give yourselves some thinking time over the summer.

"It is one big struggle at the football club at the minute. It's not just the guys on the pitch that are letting things down at Leicester at the minute, it's all the way through the club."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds