
Southampton vs Leicester City: 9-0, Rivalries & Legends
There aren’t many results in Premier League history that still make fans wince years later, but for Southampton supporters, the memory of October 25, 2019, is impossible to shake. On that night, Leicester City visited St Mary’s Stadium and delivered a 9-0 thrashing — equalling the Premier League record for biggest victory margin.
Historical meetings (1996–present): 48 games (per Aiscore) ·
Southampton wins: 16 ·
Leicester City wins: 20 ·
Biggest win in fixture: Leicester City 9–0 Southampton (25 Oct 2019) ·
Most recent result (FA Cup, Feb 2026): Southampton 2–1 Leicester City
Quick snapshot
- Whether Jamie Vardy reached exactly 200 goals for Leicester (records vary slightly by competition)
- The precise “richest” Leicester player currently (Jamie Vardy known to be highest earner historically but may be outdated)
- The exact number of historical meetings between the clubs (sources vary between 48 and 50)
- Whether the 9-0 win was the largest away win in English top-flight history (claimed by ESPN)
- 2019: Leicester 9-0 Southampton – record away win (BBC Sport)
- 2021: Southampton 9-0 Man United – second 9-0 at home (BBC Sport)
- 2026: Southampton 2-1 Leicester (FA Cup) – latest meeting (Sky Sports)
- Both clubs are in the Championship as of 2025-26, with potential promotion battles ahead
- Next fixture expected in the 2026-27 season depending on league status
Seven key facts set the stage for understanding this fixture and its context.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Date of 9-0 match | 25 October 2019 |
| Venue | St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton |
| Leicester City’s biggest win vs Southampton | 9-0 (2019) |
| Southampton’s biggest win vs Leicester City | 3-0 (multiple occasions) |
| Leicester City all-time top scorer | Arthur Chandler (273 goals) |
| Jamie Vardy’s total Leicester goals | approx. 190 |
| Premier League title winning year (Leicester) | 2015-16 |
When did Leicester City beat Southampton 9–0?
The 2019 Premier League match at St Mary’s Stadium
On , Leicester City visited St Mary’s Stadium in the 2019-20 Premier League season and produced a staggering 9-0 victory (BBC Sport). The match equalled the Premier League record for the biggest margin of victory and set a new record for the largest away win in English top-flight history (ESPN). The fixture was played at the home of Southampton, who were reduced to ten men after Ryan Bertrand was sent off in the 12th minute.
How the 9-0 score unfolded
- Ben Chilwell opened the scoring for Leicester (BBC Sport).
- Youri Tielemans added a goal.
- Ayoze Pérez and Jamie Vardy both scored hat-tricks (BBC Sport).
- James Maddison completed the scoring late in the match.
- Jamie Vardy’s injury-time penalty made it 9-0.
For Southampton, the 9-0 defeat exposed defensive frailties and led to manager Ralph Hasenhüttl taking “100% responsibility” for the result. For Leicester, it was a statement victory that propelled them to second place in the league table (BBC Sport).
The implication: That single match didn’t just affect the league standings — it left a psychological scar on Southampton and a swagger in Leicester that lasted through the season.
Did Southampton lose 9–0 twice?
Southampton’s 9-0 loss to Manchester United (February 2021)
Yes, Southampton suffered a second 9-0 home defeat on against Manchester United in the Premier League (BBC Sport). Like the Leicester match, it occurred at St Mary’s and involved a red card (Alexandre Jankewitz sent off early).
Comparison of the two heavy defeats
The two 9-0 defeats share a striking pattern of early red cards at St Mary’s.
| Match | Date | Opponent | Venue | Red card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southampton 0-9 Leicester | 25 Oct 2019 | Leicester City | St Mary’s | Ryan Bertrand (12′) |
| Southampton 0-9 Man United | 2 Feb 2021 | Manchester United | St Mary’s | Alexandre Jankewitz (2′) |
| Southampton 2-1 Leicester | 14 Feb 2026 | Leicester City | St Mary’s | No red card |
The pattern: Both 9-0 losses followed early red cards at home. Southampton’s record of two 9-0 defeats at St Mary’s is a unique and painful statistic in English top-flight football — no other club has lost twice by that margin at home.
Who are the biggest rivals of Southampton and Leicester City?
Southampton’s biggest rival: Portsmouth (South Coast Derby)
Southampton’s traditional rival is Portsmouth, based on geographic proximity — the two clubs contest the South Coast Derby (Wikipedia). The rivalry has produced crowd trouble in the past and remains one of the most heated in English football.
Leicester City’s biggest rival: Nottingham Forest (East Midlands Derby)
Leicester City’s main rival is Nottingham Forest, with whom they contest the East Midlands Derby (Wikipedia). The rivalry also includes Derby County to a lesser extent.
What is the most violent football rivalry?
While the South Coast Derby has seen incidents, the most violent rivalry in English football is often considered the Millwall vs West Ham United fixture, though hooliganism has declined in recent decades. Both the South Coast and East Midlands derbies carry historical tensions but are not among the most violent.
The catch: Neither Southampton nor Leicester City consider each other as a primary rival — their biggest rivalries lie elsewhere. This makes their 9-0 result a rare non-derby blowout that still carries extra sting because it comes from a club without a traditional bad blood.
Who is Leicester City’s best player ever and all-time scorer?
Leicester City’s all-time top scorer: Arthur Chandler
Arthur Chandler holds Leicester City’s all-time scoring record with 273 goals in all competitions (Leicester City FC).
Modern legends: Jamie Vardy, Peter Shilton, Gary Lineker
- Jamie Vardy is the club’s leading Premier League scorer and the face of their 2015-16 title win.
- Peter Shilton made over 280 appearances for Leicester before becoming England’s most-capped goalkeeper.
- Gary Lineker started his career at Leicester, scoring 95 goals before moving to Everton and Barcelona.
- Wes Morgan captained the title-winning side and is considered a legend.
The trade-off: Arthur Chandler’s pre-war record remains untouchable, but Jamie Vardy’s modern legacy — Premier League champion, record consecutive scoring streak — arguably makes him the most culturally significant Foxes legend.
How good was Prime Jamie Vardy and did he score 200 goals for Leicester?
Jamie Vardy’s prime seasons (2015–2019)
Vardy’s prime peaked during the 2015-16 title season, when he scored 24 league goals. He set a Premier League record by scoring in 11 consecutive matches — a streak that still stands. His electric pace, relentless pressing, and clinical finishing defined Leicester’s counter-attacking style under Claudio Ranieri.
Vardy’s goal tally for Leicester City
Vardy scored over 180 goals for Leicester City across all competitions, with a final tally around 190 (Premier League). He did not reach 200 goals for the club.
Comparison of Vardy’s goal count to 200
Vardy’s approximately 190 goals place him second behind Arthur Chandler in Leicester’s all-time list. While he didn’t hit 200, his Premier League record (over 130 goals) makes him the club’s top-flight marksman by a wide margin.
Vardy was a generational talent whose prime aligned perfectly with Leicester’s fairytale title. For a striker who started in non-league, 190 club goals is an extraordinary achievement — but the 200-goal milestone remains elusive.
What this means: Vardy’s legacy is not defined by a round number but by the trophies and records he collected in his prime. His 11-game scoring streak and Premier League winner’s medal are worth more than a statistical milestone.
Who played for Leicester City when they won the Premier League?
Key players from the 2015-16 title-winning squad
Leicester City’s 2015-16 Premier League title was one of the greatest sporting upsets in history. The squad was managed by Claudio Ranieri and featured:
- Jamie Vardy – 24 league goals
- Riyad Mahrez – PFA Player of the Year, 17 goals
- N’Golo Kanté – midfield engine, later won title with Chelsea
- Kasper Schmeichel – goalkeeper
- Wes Morgan – captain, centre-back
- Danny Drinkwater – central midfielder
- Christian Fuchs – left-back
- Robert Huth – centre-back
Other contributors included Marc Albrighton, Andy King, and Shinji Okazaki. The title win came at odds of 5000-1.
Why this matters: The 2015-16 squad became immortal not just for winning the league, but for how they did it — with a core of overlooked players who together outperformed every club in the country. That team’s DNA still influences Leicester’s identity today.
Timeline: Key moments in the Southampton vs Leicester City rivalry
- – Leicester City 9-0 Southampton (BBC Sport)
- – Southampton lose 9-0 to Manchester United (BBC Sport)
- – Leicester City win Premier League title
- – Leicester City relegated from Premier League
- – Southampton 2-1 Leicester City in FA Cup fourth round (Sky Sports)
The trajectory: From Leicester’s record win to their relegation, and Southampton’s FA Cup revenge — the fixture encapsulates the volatility of English football’s tiers.
Clarity check: What we know and what remains uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Leicester City beat Southampton 9-0 on 25 October 2019 at St Mary’s Stadium (BBC Sport)
- Southampton lost 9-0 twice (to Leicester and Manchester United) (BBC Sport)
- Southampton’s traditional rival is Portsmouth (Wikipedia)
- Leicester City’s all-time top scorer is Arthur Chandler (273 goals) (Leicester City FC)
- Leicester City won the Premier League in 2015-16
What’s unclear
- Whether Jamie Vardy reached exactly 200 goals for Leicester (records vary slightly by competition) — he is estimated to have scored around 190.
- The precise “richest” Leicester City player currently (Jamie Vardy was historically the highest earner but current data may be outdated).
- The exact number of historical meetings between the clubs (sources vary between 48 and 50).
- Whether the 9-0 win was the largest away win in English top-flight history (claimed by ESPN).
The balance: Most major facts are confirmed by multiple sources, but minor discrepancies in goal counts and meeting totals remain unresolved.
Quotes from the key figures
“I take 100% responsibility for the defeat. It was horrible.”
Ralph Hasenhüttl, Southampton manager, after the 9-0 loss
“It’s a dream come true. I’m so proud of the players.”
Claudio Ranieri, Leicester City manager, on winning the 2015-16 Premier League title
For Southampton, the 9-0 loss to Leicester is a stain that three FA Cup wins and a proud South Coast identity have not erased. For Leicester, that night was the apex of a golden period that included a Premier League title and Champions League quarter-finals — but also ended in relegation. For the fan in either city, the rivalry isn’t about geography; it’s about how one result can define a generation. The next time these two clubs meet, the shadow of that 9-0 will follow every pass, every tackle, every goal. For both sides, the choice is clear: either use the memory as fuel, or let it become a weight.
en.wikipedia.org, espn.com, timesnownews.com, simple.wikipedia.org, talksport.com, vi.wikipedia.org, pt.wikipedia.org, theguardian.com
Frequently asked questions
Is the Southampton vs Leicester City match typically high-scoring?
No, most meetings are tight. The 9-0 is an extreme outlier. Historical stats show an average of around 2.5 goals per game across their 48 encounters.
What was the attendance for the 9-0 match at St Mary’s?
Official attendance was 31,747 at St Mary’s Stadium on 25 October 2019.
Who scored the goals in the 9-0 win?
Leicester goals came from Ben Chilwell, Youri Tielemans, Ayoze Pérez (hat-trick), Jamie Vardy (hat-trick), and James Maddison.
Has Leicester City ever beaten another team by 9-0?
No, the 9-0 victory over Southampton is Leicester City’s biggest top-flight win in their history.
Did any Southampton player get a red card during the 9-0 loss?
Yes, Ryan Bertrand was sent off in the 12th minute.
How many times have Southampton and Leicester met in the FA Cup?
They have met four times in the FA Cup as of 2026. The most recent was Southampton’s 2-1 win in the fourth round on 14 February 2026.
Who is Leicester City’s current manager and how does that affect their tactics?
As of the 2025-26 season, Leicester are managed by a manager who employs a possession-based style adapted from the Championship. The club’s relegation in 2023-24 forced a rebuilding phase.
What are the key strengths of Southampton’s current squad?
Southampton’s squad has traditionally emphasized youth development and pressing football, though recent form in the Championship has been mixed.
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