City Hold On For First League Win
It’s been a frustrating start to the top flight campaign for Steve Cooper’s men, typified by coming so close to a point at Arsenal last weekend, only to be denied in added time. There was some frantic defending to be done in the latter moments at King Power Stadium for Saturday’s visit of the Cherries, but plenty of attacking endeavour and exciting forward play beforehand too. Buonanotte’s winner – his second goal of the season – was a well-taken, lashed finish, latching onto James Justin’s cutting forward ball, propelling the Foxes up to 15th in the table. A first league victory since lifting the EFL Championship title last May, it's a result which scratches the itch for City back in the Premier League ahead of the international break. With away games at fellow newly-promoted sides Southampton and Ipswich Town to come, either side of a home East Midlands derby against Nottingham Forest, the hope is that this can be a springboard for Leicester to climb further.
Jordan Ayew was back in a City XI for this one, as Harry Winks dropped to the bench. Otherwise, it was a familiar line-up for the home side, taking on a Bournemouth outfit who hit three past the Saints last time out. There was a nervy moment at the start for Cooper’s men. Caleb Okoli conceded a free-kick on the left flank, which was whipped in by Marcus Tavernier, always a danger from dead-ball situations. If Marcos Senesi’s header was an attempt at goal, it was wayward, but it did nudge the ball into Evanilson’s path, lurking at the back post. The Brazilian striker, signed from Porto in the summer, slammed his header wide. It was a significant let-off for the Foxes, who could have found themselves behind after just six minutes. A first Leicester chance was next, Buonanotte riffling a long-range hit into Kepa Arrizabalaga’s palms. The Argentine was a livewire from the start – and, on 16 minutes, he was the difference. Justin’s cute, dinked through-ball put the No.40 away, but he still had plenty to do. Twisting in and out just inside the area, Buonanotte then smashed the ball into the roof of Kepa’s net to make it 1-0 to the hosts. He’s been a real bright spark since joining the Club on loan in August and this was another reminder of his talent. It was an important moment too, putting Leicester ahead at home for the first time in 2024/25.
The youngster was unlucky not to make it two later on, nodding Victor Kristiansen’s cross over the crossbar. The Cherries, starting the day sat in the comfort of midtable in the Premier League, carried a threat throughout. Andoni Iraola's side score favourably in all the key attacking metrics this term and naturally they kept City’s defence busy. Ryan Christie’s spin and shot needed a brave block from Wout Faes to stop it from concerning Mads Hermansen. The Belgian was there to halt in-form Antoine Semenyo’s half-volley inside the box as well. It should have been 2-0 to City 35 minutes in, mind you. Justin once again linked up well with Buonanotte, giving the 19-year-old room to burst into, running down the middle. His threaded pass to Jamie Vardy was perfect too, teeing him up behind the backline. The Club’s all-time top Premier League goalscorer loomed down on goal but, with Kepa quickly charging off his line, he inexplicably side-footed it wide. Not deterred, an audacious 35-yard effort from the 37-year-old was next on the agenda. Faes’ forward ball hung in the air. Nobody in Bournemouth’s white away colours had the situation covered and the No.9 sent a looping half-volley at Kepa’s net, the Spaniard off his line. In the end, it was a little too high to worry the Cherries’ stopper, but it had Filbert Way on its feet nonetheless.
Into the second half, City were in the unusual position of having a lead to hold onto. That nearly changed just three minutes in, though, when Illia Zabarnyi’s header kissed the far post from a Lewis Cook free-kick on the right channel. A super stop from Hermansen then diverted Christie’s low curler around the base of his post, the Dane at full stretch. Cook’s corner also presented a free header for Dango Outtara inside a congested 18-yard box, but he sent it the wrong side of Hermansen’s post. Faes was there to block Evanilson’s sight of goal on the hour too, but Bournemouth were undoubtedly settling into the contest. Iraola’s south coast visitors did have the ball in the net shortly after. Cook’s free-kick grazed Evanilson’s head before eluding Hermansen, but after a lengthy period of time, the linesman’s flag was raised. It needed a verification from VAR before City could fully puff their chests out, but the decision stood. No goal. Before long, there was another gasp of relief around the ground when Ouattara sent Luis Sinisterra’s delivery onto the bar from two feet out. The chances kept coming for the visitors, Evanilson's glancing a header flew wide with 11 minutes to play, but Leicester’s cleansheet remained intact. Into five added minutes, every Hermansen claim drew a huge cheer. So too did Wilfred Ndidi's brave heading, or Faes' determined blocks. Enes Ünal lashed one last chance over for Bournemouth, but the day was Leicester's, and so were the points.