Japan striker Shinji Okazaki scored his first Premier League brace as Leicester City beat Southampton 4-1 away on Wednesday.

Okazaki's 32nd-minute goal was his first since Frenchman Claude Puel became Leicester City's third manager of the season in late October.

"I've been trying to prove myself to the boss and he's beginning to understand. I feel relieved," admitted Okazaki.

After Riyad Mahrez opened the scoring at St. Mary's in the 11th minute, Okazaki, who needed nine stitches above his eye after Saturday's game against Newcastle, doubled the lead when he thumped home from close range.

Andy King tapped in to put Leicester up 3-0 before Japan's Maya Yoshida headed through a crowd to pull one back for Southampton in the 61st minute.

But Okazaki extended the lead again with his second of the night, beating Yoshida to a Jamie Vardy cross in the 69th.

Okazaki was ecstatic with the strike, his sixth goal in 17 games.

"I managed to catch them off guard at the end. A goal like that is one that I have wanted to score ever since I came to the Premier League. I feel like I've finally shown my strength," he said.

While Okazaki had every reason to be hopeful, Yoshida was downcast.

"We ruined it for ourselves by making mistakes. A three-goal deficit in the first half was not part of the plan," Yoshida said.

"I wasn't able to keep my composure. Okazaki killed us," he said of his international teammate.