Facundo Buonanotte’s first-half strike fired Leicester to their first win of the Premier League season – a 1-0 victory at home to Bournemouth. The Cherries were slick, stylish and clinical in Monday’s win against Southampton but their first-half showing against the lowly Foxes was quite the opposite. Boss Steve Cooper pleaded for “support and energy” in his programme notes and the fans responded as Bournemouth piled the pressure on in the second half.
Evanilson headed home what he thought was his second goal in as many games but the offside flag kept Leicester in front and they held on. Harry Winks dropped to the Leicester bench for the first time this season, making way for Jordan Ayew, while Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola opted for Justin Kluivert over Dango Ouattara from their 3-1 win over Southampton. Buonanotte slalomed his way through the Bournemouth midfield and fired in an effort from range which forced Kepa Arrizabalaga into the first save of the game.
The Argentinian teenager made Bournemouth pay with his second sight of goal. Buonanotte’s clever give-and-go with James Justin saw the full-back lob the ball into the path of the 19-year-old and he worked his way into the box before finishing emphatically past Kepa in the 16th minute. Leicester appeals for a penalty were waved away by referee Darren Bond after Illia Zabarnyi appeared to block Stephy Mavididi’s pass with his arm inside the area.
The away side enjoyed a good spell midway through the first p.