Leicester beaten by Petrescu debut

Dan Petrescu, not considered committed enough by Bradford, celebrated his first start for Southampton last night by lifting his team towards Premiership respectability.

He managed to get on the end of a Wayne Bridge free-kick in the packed Leicester penalty area to end 79 minutes of stern resistance from the season's early pacesetters. Southampton manager Glenn Hoddle, the man who had summoned his opposite number Peter Taylor from relative obscurity and set him on the path to managing England had received little gratitude from his old Spurs pal before the Romanian struck.

Saints, with just one defeat in their last six matches and a clean sheet in six of their last eight games, had been showing impressive form in both the League and the FA Cup. Leicester, on the other hand, had lost three of their last four and with injuries restricting his selections, Taylor gave a debut to Junior Lewis, on loan to from Gillingham and apparently comfortable in his new surroundings.

Claus Lundekvam's long punt in the fourth minute threatened a fourth-minute bonus for Southampton, Gary Rowett having to make a slick interception. Marian Pahars, with a free role, was darting around like a fizzing firework and his little flick to Petrescu allowed the Romanian to find James Beattie.

The striker with eight goals in his last seven games at The Dell, directed a looping header at goal and Simon Royce had to arch his back to tip it over the crossbar. From the Pahars corner that followed Dean Richards directed a free header over the bar. Leicester were concentrating their resources in defence, though one or two flicks from Roberto Mancini were like a glimpse of the past. Steve Guppy was booked for a late challenge on Petrescu but Leicester at last galvanised themselves and an exchange with Mancini sent Ade Akinbiyi clear, only for Paul Jones to smother at his feet.

Leicester broke in the 33rd minute down the right with Andy Impey crossing from deep on the right and Muzzy Izzet, who had made a late run, forced Jones into a fingertip save to his right from the header.

Another centre from Petrescu four minutes from half-time found Chris Marsden unmarked but like Richards before him, he directed a free header over the crossbar. Hoddle introduced Joe Tessem for Davies in the second half in his efforts to introduce some variety to break down the Leicester resistance but Matt Elliott continued to dominate. He even took time out from defensive duties to head an Izzet free-kick back across goal only for Jones and Beattie to deny Mancini from close range.