Southampton had a night to forget as they were thumped 5-0 by Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday.
Russell Martin‘s side went into the game knowing that anything other than a win would end their slim automatic promotion chances.
As it was, they did not just lose, but suffered a defeat of the nature that could be damaging psychologically ahead of the play-offs.
Southampton went 1-0 down in the first-half due to a defensive lapse from Kyle Walker-Peters – who had his worst game of the season – although there was a hint of offside about Abdul Fatawu’s goal.
What happened in the second half was inexplicable, though, as the Saint conceded four more to a rampant Leicester.
It was the second consecutive defeat in a row after an equally disappointing loss to Cardiff City at the weekend.
Southampton did not even muster a single shot on target in Leicester, with the display leaving their fans with little cause for optimism.
Russell Martin makes Jack Stephens claim following Leicester loss
Martin was understandably in a somber mood after the game.
Southampton were without two key players and it showed.
Flynn Downes suffered a knock against Preston last week and Martin made the decision not to risk the midfielder at Leicester given the play-offs were the most likely outcome of the season even before this defeat.
They were also without 32-year-old Stuart Armstrong, who will miss the remainder of the season with an injury sustained in the Cardiff defeat.
As a result, the midfield looked out of sorts and Leicester cut through them like a knife through butter.
The fact that Joe Rothwell – the man selected to replace Armstrong in the line-up – limped off after 39 minutes further compounded the issue.
However, Martin insisted after the game that the scoreline would never have been so damning had he played club captain Jack Stephens.
Speaking to Daily Echo reporter Alfie House, Martin said: “If Jack’s playing tonight, we don’t lose 5-0. My fault.”
