Video: Leicester 0-0 Bournemouth – Mahrez misses penalty as Foxes draw

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Leicester and Bournemouth played out a largely uneventful draw in the Midlands on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League.

The hosts had the best chance to win the game, but Mahrez missed his 57th minute spot kick.

Recent record breaker Jamie Vardy went into the game having not scored in his last three, while Bournemouth were winless in two after previously enjoying three straight wins.

The first chance went the visitors way as Junior Stanislas attempted a curling effort in the second minute. The shot was blocked by Wes Morgan’s elbow, but Andre Marrier waved away Bournemouth’s penalty appeals.

Riyad Mahrez had the first Leicester chance, as his flying scissor kick flashed over the bar on the ten minute mark.

After the frantic opening 15 minutes, the tie descended into a scrappy affair. Both sides struggled to hold the ball in midfield and clear sights on goal were few and far between.

Stanislas wasted two more chances for the visitors and Vardy almost played in Leonardo Ulloa, but the game fizzled out to 0-0 at the break.

The first major talking point of the second half arrived in the 57th minute as the Marrier awarded Leicester a penalty. Vardy was brought crashing down by Simon Francis after being slipped in behind. Francis saw red, but Mahrez’s penalty was at a good height for Artur Boruc and the Polish international pushed it away.

Thereafter it became a backs-to-the-wall job for the visitors. Leicester huffed and puffed, but Ngolo Kante, Okazaki, Mahrez, and Albrighton all failed to break the deadlock.

Ultimately both sides had to settle for a point. Given Leicester’s high standards so far this season there will be an element of disappointment at the result. The Foxes are now winless in their last three.

The result leaves Leicester in second place, four points clear of Man City in third and two behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Bournemouth are 15th, one point ahead of Chelsea and and four clear of the relegation zone.

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Next up for Leicester are two consecutive away games against Tottenham, firstly in the FA Cup next weekend then in the league three days later.

Bournemouth will travel to Birmingham in the cup, then they welcome West Ham to the Vitality Stadium the following Tuesday.

PLAYER RATINGS

Leicester: Schmeichel 7, Simpson 7, Morgan 7, Huth 7, Fuchs 6, Mahrez 6, Drinkwater 6, Kante 6, Albrighton 7, Ulloa 7, Vardy 7. Subs: Dyer 6, Okazaki 7, De Laet 6

Bournemouth: Boruc 8, Smith 6, Francis 7, Cook 7, Daniels 7, Surman 6, Ritchie 6, Gosling 7, Arter 7, Stanislas 7, King 7. Subs: Distin 7, Murray 6.

 

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