Leicester City 1-0 Bournemouth Player Ratings as Buonanotte’s strike helps Foxes pick up their first win

Leicester City ended their rough patch with their first win of the season in the Premier League after narrowly defeating Bournemouth 1-0 at the King Power Stadium. The Foxes set the tone with their relentless intensity from the very off, leading to their opening goal inside 16 minutes. Facundo Buonanotte scored a belter of a strike after outwitting defender Marco Senesi with his trickery, leaving no chance for Kepa Arrizabalaga to stop it.

The Cherries amped up their intensity in the second half, keeping the Foxes players at the toes for larger spells. Illia Zabarnyi headed the crossbar and Lewis Cook had his goal deemed offside due to Evanilson’s interference as the visitors ultimately failed to find the equaliser.

Leicester City Player Ratings vs Bournemouth

Goalkeeper

Mads Hermansen: Palmed Ryan Christie’s shot wide in the second half to ensure a clean sheet

Defenders

Victor Kristiansen 5/10: Was shaky on possession and easily succumbed under pressure, especially when handling Semenyo

Caleb Okoli: 8/10 – Was a colossus presence in the defence and kept Bournemouth at arm’s length despite their increased pressure in the second half. Made 7 recoveries and 8 clearances

Wout Faes: 8/10 -The Belgian stood tall in the backline with an impressive display. Tracked back well to thwart Evanilson with a last-ditch tackle, blocked the efforts from Christie and Semeneyo and also ventured upfront far and few between.

James Justin: 8/10 – Leicester’s best performer against Arsenal also put in a similar kind of display against the Cherries. Set up Buonanotte with a brilliant outside-of-the-boot pass.

Midfielders

Wilfred Ndidi: 7/10 – For larger parts, Ndidi Mopped up the danger whenever Bournemouth tried to engage in a counterattack and also initiated Leicester’s transitions. Won five duels, made 6 recoveries and 7 passes into the final third

Oliver Skipp: 8/10 – Robust in the midfield and finished with a game-high 10 recoveries.

Jordan Ayew: 6/10 – Although his defensive efforts were manifest, Ayew failed to offer on the attacking front.

Attackers

Facundo Buonanotte: 9/10 – A sublime performance from the Argentine wonderkid, who continues to grow in stature. Always caused trouble on the counters with his runs and defence-splitting passes. Blasted a top-quality strike after taking Senesi to the cleaners with his dribbling skill.

Stephy Mavididi: 7/10 – Despite not finding the scoresheet, Mavididi proved to be a menace to the Cherries defenders with his blistering pace and dribbling skills

Jamie Vardy: 5/10 – Was completely off-colour and caught off-side on a few occasions

Substitutes

Odsonne Edouard: 2/10 – Had a couple of opportunities to break on the counter but failed to capitalise on it.

Abdul Fatawu: N/A

Boubakkary Soumare: N/A

Manager

Steve Cooper: 8/10 – Cooper would be delighted with the first win of the season. A brave attacking display early in the first half set the tone and had the job done although the Foxes came under pressure in the second half.

Also Read: Manchester City 3-2 Fulham Player Ratings as Mateo Kovacic’s braces secure three points for the Cityzens

Bournemouth Player Ratings vs Leicester

Goalkeeper

Kepa Arrizabalaga: 5/10 – Saved Buonanotte’s early strike but had no chance to stop the Argentine’s thunderous strike

Defenders

Milos Kerkez: 5/10 – Looked lively on a few occasions with his ability to progress the ball but failed to make a big impact on the whole.

Marco Senesi: 6/10 Completely lost his battle against Buonanotte. Was literally destroyed by the Argentine teenager for Leicester’s opening goal with a drop of the shoulder. However, he drastically improved after the break, engaging in a lot of defensive actions

Illia Zabarnyi: The Ukrainian produced a solid display in the defence. Progressed the ball with his lofted passes, kept Mavididi at bay to an extent and intercepted Skipp’s pass. Hit the crossbar once.

Adam Smith: 5/10 Had a hectic noon dealing with Mavididis and often came up short

Midfielders

Ryan Christie: 5/10 – Not an ideal first-half display but became busier after the break. Created 1 big chance, delivered 4 passes into the final third, made 5 recoveries and two clearances

Lewis Cook: 6/10 – Created 4 big chances, including his free-kick delivery which was headed to the crossbar by Zabarnyi.

Marcus Tavernier 6/10 – Another player who grew into the game, making 8 passes into the final third.

Attackers

Justin Kluivert: 3/10 – Hauled off at half-time after a quiet showing.

Antoine Semenyo: 6/10 – Created all sorts of trouble with his trickery. Completed four dribbles but the final product was missing.

Evanilson: 4/10 – A lacklustre performance summed up by getting caught offside for intervening in Cook’s goal.

Substitutes

Dango Ouatarra: 4/10 – Headed his effort to the crossbar.

Luis Sinisterra: 6/10 – Created a big impact, involving in some of the dangerous moves, including the cross to Outarra, who hit the woodwork.

David Brook: N/A

Alex Scott: N/A

Enes Unal: N/A

Manager

Andoni Iraola: 5/10 – Despite being labelled the favourites, Iraola saw his side’s abject first half led to their downfall. There was an increased intensity in the second half from Iraola’s side but to little effect.

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