Petty Delighted With The Performance

- Leicester City's Development Squad defeated Southampton 3-1 in PL2 on Monday night
- Coach Ben Petty was pleased with the Foxes’ performance
- Petty says City's youngsters did well against an experienced Saints side and deserved the win
- Forward George Hirst was once again on the scoresheet for City alongside Callum Wright and Conor Tee

The young Foxes came through a tough test against a Saints side containing first-team players Che Adams and Oriel Romeu.

The home team took the lead, through Adams, before City soon wrestled back control of the game thanks to goals from Callum Wright, George Hirst and Conor Tee.

Reflecting afterwards, Petty felt it was exactly the result that Leicester deserved for their performance on the South Coast.

“We are delighted, that was a really strong Southampton side there tonight,” Petty told LCFC TV.

“They had senior players in the team and I think our lads gave everything, they didn’t leave anything out there on the pitch and we’re delighted with them.

“I thought we started the game really well and went behind agains the run of play. And then you sometimes wonder where is the game going to go but really positive from going a goal behind.”

The talismanic Hirst notched up his 13th goal in all competitions this season from the spot, after Wright flicked in a corner at the near post.

Petty added: “Two terrific goals, it was a definite penalty and Hirsty [George Hirst] sticks it in and we finished the half strongly.

“It’s one of things Steve [Beaglehole] is terrific at. We drill the lads with the set plays. He really likes the set play elements and we’ve been good from them defensively and offensively so it was nice to score one tonight.

“George is our talisman, he’s been terrific for us this season. He’s confident, he wants to score goals and like the seniors, why not let your No.9 take the penalties?

“At half-time we talked about being solid and compacted, letting Southampton come onto us a little bit because we know we’ve got pace on the counter with Josh [Eppiah] and Ali [Reghba] supporting George.

“We changed a little bit the way we defended, we didn’t press as much, but I thought we did a really good job with it.

“We restricted Southampton to that one free-kick that came off the post but I think we deserved the luck.

“I’m delighted for Connor [Tee]. He’s a really good player, he’s had to wait and be really patient to get into the side.

“We put him on in the last five minutes of the game and he’s come up trumps so it’s good for his confidence.”

That win keeps City three points behind Chelsea at the top of the Premier League 2 Division 1 standings, with four games to go.

“We think it’s probably the toughest game we’ve had this season," Petty continued.

“Obviously we’re delighted with the three points but ultimately we want to develop these players.

"And playing against first-team Premier League players, that’s the way to develop them and they’ve come out on top tonight, so it’s great.

“We’re hoping that Chelsea are looking at us and thinking Leicester won again. It’s a brilliant end to the season for us all, it’s kit it bubbling nicely.

“There’s four games to go, I think we’ll need four wins because Chelsea don’t look like they’re going to slip up too many times, so roll on the next game.”