Leicester 2-0 Bournemouth: Brendan Rodgers earns third straight win as Foxes manager
- Published
- comments
The goal means Wes Morgan has scored in consecutive Premier League games for the first time in his career
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers said his side were "outstanding" as they continued their impressive start under the Northern Irishman by comfortably beating Bournemouth to earn a third consecutive win.
Wes Morgan put the hosts ahead in the 11th minute - his second goal in as many games - by flicking Ben Chilwell's shot in off the post with the inside of his boot.
Leicester controlled the game and missed a number of chances before Jamie Vardy sealed the three points in the 82nd minute by heading Youri Tielemans' cross in off the bar.
"I thought we were excellent," Rodgers said.
"We showed a real appetite and hunger and tactically we were very good.
"Our pressing was excellent, the boys are understanding tactically how we want to press and the importance of that.
"Each game, each day in training, we are getting more used to it."
Scorer Vardy missed an excellent opportunity in the first half, dragging a first-time shot wide of the post from 10 yards when left free.
Bournemouth created fewer openings but should have equalised just four minutes after Morgan's goal through Callum Wilson.
The England striker got on the end of Ryan Fraser's cross inside the six-yard box but his volleyed finish was too close to Kasper Schmeichel, allowing the Leicester goalkeeper to save.
The win means Leicester climb to eighth in the table, having won three games in a row since losing to Watford in Rodgers' first game in charge.
This came on an emotional day for the club as fans paid tribute to their late owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who would have been 61 next week.
Rodgers revival rumbles on
Rodgers was appointed Leicester manager on 26 February
Leicester had to battle to win in their last game with 10 men against Burnley but this was a complete performance and one that showed Rodgers' desired style is taking shape.
Their passing was patient but vibrant with threat coming from across the forward line and they pressed high up the field to deny Bournemouth time to build from the back.
Rodgers' side repeatedly produced flowing attacking moves and had 18 shots over the 90 minutes, compared with eight from their opponents.
Vardy, who has four goals in four games under Rodgers, was the focal point but Harvey Barnes and Demarai Gray threatened on the flanks while James Maddison and Tielemans caused problems in central positions.
Those four players are all aged 22 or younger, which only adds to the excitement of the resurgence under Rodgers.
The Foxes were 12th in the table when former manager Claude Puel was sacked, having lost five of their past six games.
They are now eighth - level on points with seventh-placed Wolves - and have won three games in a row for the first time since December 2017.
Leicester fans paid tribute to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha with banners and a minute's applause in the 61st minute. Fans were given free beer or water and a cupcake before the game
Bournemouth's away woes return
The defeat means the Cherries have lost 10 of their last 11 away games - the only positive result in that run being a win in their last game on the road against bottom-of-the-table, and now relegated, Huddersfield.
Manager Eddie Howe said he had "no complaints" with the result and said he was "disappointed" with his side's performance.
"Our away record is a concern and we are trying to find ways to improve what we do," he said.
"I want a game tomorrow after that performance.
"People travel a long way to come and see us play and we didn't perform."
In the first half, they played their part in an entertaining encounter with a chance for Joshua King following the one for Wilson, but in the second they offered little attacking threat.
Striker Wilson only had 21 touches, the fewest of any starter, and none of those came in the Leicester penalty box in the second half.
Centre-back Nathan Ake was the only player to impress as he repeatedly blocked shots from Leicester players, doing so four times - three more than any other player.
The win against Huddersfield is their only victory in their last eight matches, home or away, and Howe said before kick-off that they are still not completely safe from relegation.
They remain 12th - 10 points clear of 18th-placed Cardiff who have two games in hand.
Man of the match - Youri Tielemans (Leicester)
Leicester's performance was an excellent all-round showing but Tielemans was the most composed player in their midfield and provided a perfect assist for Vardy's goal
Rodgers loves managing against Bournemouth - the best stats
Leicester have won three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since a run of four ending in December 2017.
Bournemouth are winless in six away league visits to Leicester (W0 D3 L3), since a 1-0 win on Boxing Day in 1988 under Harry Redknapp.
Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers has won all four of his games in all competitions against Bournemouth - the only teams he has a better 100% win record against in his career are Hamilton Academical (nine wins), Fulham (seven) and Coventry City (five).
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is winless in eight away league visits to Leicester City during his managerial career (W0 D4 L4).
Bournemouth have lost 10 of their last 11 away Premier League games, winning the other.
Jamie Vardy has scored five goals in his last five Premier League appearances, after netting in just one of his previous six.
Leicester's Ben Chilwell has provided three assists in the Premier League this season, more than he registered in his previous two campaigns for the Foxes (two).
Leicester's Wes Morgan has scored in consecutive Premier League appearances for the first time in his career, also netting three goals in his last four.
What's next?
Leicester's next game is against Huddersfield, whose relegation was confirmed on Saturday with with defeat to Crystal Palace, at the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday, 6 April (15:00 BST kick-off).
Bournemouth host Burnley on the same day (also 15:00 kick-off).