Leicester City moved three points clear of the Premier League relegation zone with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Southampton.

Two first-half goals from Riyad Mahrez were enough to see the Foxes boost their survival prospects after Hull City's defeat to Burnley.

The Saints had to wait over 70 minutes to fashion a first shot on target as the visitors struggled for their best form this afternoon.

Here, Sports Mole sorts the heroes from the villains on another jubilant day at the King Power Stadium.

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Goal

Kasper Schmeichel: The Dane will not have had many quieter afternoons than today, making just one save of note to keep out Mane. (6/10)

Defence

Marc Albrighton: The former Aston Villa man, playing at right wing-back, gave everything to the Leicester cause yet again and kept Elia in check throughout. (6/10)

Marcin Wasilewski: Booked for a cynical foul on Mane, but it did not take the shine off another good defensive display. (6/10)

Wes Morgan: Morgan was captain fantastic yet again this afternoon, comfortably shackling Pelle for the duration of the contest. Well deserved his clean sheet. (7/10)

Robert Huth: The big German continues to win admirers in the East Midlands for his no-nonsense displays, though perhaps he should have scored with a header early on. (6/10)

Jeff Schlupp: Schlupp, at left wing-back, was impressive here again but did not venture forward as often as he did against Newcastle last week. Still, did not put a foot wrong throughout. (6/10)

Midfield

Matt James: Only lasted 13 minutes after appearing to suffer a knee injury before being stretchered off. (5/10)

Esteban Cambiasso: Kept things ticking over nicely in midfield, and almost scored when his near-post effort rippled the side-netting. (6/10)

Riyad Mahrez: Leicester's hero today with two well-taken goals - especially his first - as the Foxes sit on the brink of safety. (8/10)

Attack

Leonardo Ulloa: Nowhere near as involved as last week, but had some good moments all the same. Faded badly in the second half, however. (5/10)

Jamie Vardy: Vardy has won plenty of admirers for his industry in recent weeks, while his finishing has been a little wayward. It was a similar story today after missing a fine chance to send Leicester 3-0 ahead when he fluffed a one-on-one. (6/10)

Substitutes

Danny Drinkwater: Did well to minimise the effects of losing Matty James so early in the contest. (6/10)

David Nugent: Replaced Vardy with 20 minutes to go, but had little impact on his first game back from injury. (5/10)

Goal

Paulo Gazzinga: Endured a nightmare first league appearance of the season and was directly responsible for the second goal. Kept out Vardy afterwards, but it was the botched clearance that he will be thinking about on the way home. (4/10)

Defence

Nathaniel Clyne: Did little to justify links with Manchester United and Chelsea. The right-back was nowhere near his best, like so many of his teammates. (5/10)

Jose Fonte: Not his usual self and inexplicably left his station to cut out Vardy's pass, leaving Mahrez unmarked to stab home from close range. (4/10)

Toby Alderweireld: Like Fonte, the on-loan Atletico Madrid defender did not look as solid as he has often looked this season, with questions also lingering over his contribution to the second goal. (4/10)

Ryan Bertrand: Perhaps could have aided Southampton's offence a little more with a bit more adventure, but stayed back too often. (5/10)

Midfield

Harrison Reed: Guilty for allowing Mahrez far too much space in the build-up to the first goal. Overall, the 20-year-old did not cover himself in glory, though it was only his ninth Premier League appearance. (5/10)

Victor Wanyama: Sat in front of the defence well as usual. One of the few visiting players not to have contributed in some way to the result. (6/10)

Steven Davis: Like Reed, could, and should, have done much better to shackle Mahrez prior to the opening goal. The Northern Irishman failed to provide the creative spark that the Saints desperately needed overall. (5/10)

Eljero Elia: Had one or two promising shots, but they ended up failing to test Schmeichel. Replaced on 66 minutes. (5/10)

Sadio Mane: Far and away the Saints' biggest threat but Mane was still ineffective in his efforts to force his side back into the contest. (6/10)

Attack

Graziano Pelle: Lacking in energy, movement and guile, Pelle, with three goals in his last five games, offered very little of a threat in the final third throughout his spell on the field. One to forget for the Italian striker. (4/10)

Substitutes

Shane Long: Initially looked to help Southampton establish a little rhythm in the final third, but this did not last. (5/10)

Filip Djuricic: Found himself heavily involved, but his final ball invariably let him down. (4/10)

Written by
Shane Callaghan