Leicestershire

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