SAINTS were thrashed 5-0 by Championship league leaders Leicester City on Tuesday evening in a performance Russell Martin described as pathetic.   

Southampton crumbled in the final thirty minutes and conceded four, handing Leicester an open invitation to step closer to a Premier League return.

Abdul Fatawu, who scored before the break, completed his hattrick with two quickfire strikes as Wilfred Ndidi and Jamie Vardy also got in on the act.

Martin's side failed to register a single shot on target despite enjoying 66 per cent possession. Here is how we rated every Southampton player's performance...

Daily Echo: Russell Martin labelled the result as "pathetic".

Alex McCarthy - 4.

Conceded five goals. Beaten in a one-on-one for the opener, but was given little support. Ndidi's header goes through his legs. Little he could do for their third and fourth goals. Struggled to get across his goal quickly for the fifth.

Kyle Walker-Peters - 3.

Beaten by a through ball for Fatawu's opening goal. Failed to stop Stephy Mavididi's cross to Ndidi for the second goal. Caught up field far too often. Part of the reason Leicester scored so many goals from wide areas.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis - 4.

Produced some important defensive interventions in the first half while Saints were under pressure. Yelled at teammates after they failed to stop the Foxes' third strike. Did not stay tight enough to Vardy for his goal.

Jan Bednarek - 4.

Much like his centre-back partner, he was pretty solid in the first 60 minutes as Saints conceded a wave of chances. Made a key tackle to cut out a Vardy counter. Part of a defence that crumbled in the final 30 minutes.

James Bree - 4.

Came in for Ryan Manning. Struggled against Stephy Mavididi. Was beaten to a cross by Ndidi, who headed just wide. Could not handle Leicester's wide threat. Taken off on the hour mark.

READ MORE: Every word leader Stephens said in brutally honest post-Leicester defeat interview

Shea Charles - 5.

Made his first start since mid-February. Could not be classified as at fault for any of Leicester's goals as the hosts punished Saints in the wide areas. Won seven of his 10 duels - the most of any player.

Joe Aribo - 4.

Did not bring down Fatawu, who cut in from the right and bent a pearl past McCarthy to seal the win for Leicester. Stopped tracking the Ghanaian winger, who was left to tap in an easy goal to complete his hattrick.

Joe Rothwell - 5.

Started in place of the injured Stuart Armstrong. Showed for the ball but played a role in Saints' struggle to get the ball forward. Was withdrawn after 40 minutes with a tight hamstring. Did not make an impact. 

David Brooks - 4.

Was often too deep when he could have been an outball option for a team struggling to create chances. Rushed back to make a tackle. Taken off with the score still at 1-0.

Adam Armstrong - 4.

Southampton's only attacker to play the full 90 minutes. Part of a side that failed to register a shot on target. Took four shots, three of which were blocked. Has not scored in six games.

Che Adams - 3.

Appeared to be fouled in the build-up to Leicester's first goal. Dropped deep to play to his teammates in wide areas, leaving Saints without a forward threat when doing this. Part of an attack which failed to test Hermansen.

Substitutes

Will Smallbone - 5.

Introduced just before half time when Rothwell was forced off with a hamstring problem. Showed for the ball in deep areas during Southampton's brief period of success. Created three chances. 

Ryan Manning - 3.

Beaten to a cross by Ndidi, who scored a minute after coming on. Skipped past by Fatawu as he curled in Leicester's third. Gave Fawawu acres of space to cross to Vardy for Leicester's fourth. Awful cameo from the bench.

Sam Edozie - 4.

Introduced at 1-0 to inject much-needed pace into Southampton's attack. Was lively without creating anything meaningful. Did not provide defensive cover as his side fell apart while Leicester kickstarted a party.

Jack Stephens - N/A

Introduced when the score had already hit 5-0. Martin felt his side would not have lost so heavily had the skipper started.

Ryan Fraser - N/A

Also introduced after Southampton had conceded five. Entered a game which was dead and struggled to add a spark to a team that had downed tools.