The introduction of Kelechi Iheanacho in the 79th minute could not help Leicester City to at least force a draw against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday, despite going ahead at Vitality Stadium.
The Foxes were unable to hold onto a lead courtesy of Patson Daka’s instinctive finish, as Philip Billing and then Ryan Christie fired home for the hosts in the second half to help them to run out 2-1 winners at the end of 90 minutes.
Following Monday’s 4-0 triumph against Nottingham Forest, manager Brendan Rodgers made two changes to his starting eleven, with Boubakary Soumaré replacing the injured Wilfred Ndidi and Daka coming in for Jamie Vardy up front.
England Under-18s captain and Academy graduate Sammy Braybrooke as well as Iheanacho, meanwhile, were named on the bench.
In the third minute, Christie raced in on goal after getting there ahead of James Justin, who recovered well to outmuscle the Bournemouth No.10 before goalkeeper Danny Ward was able to gather the loose ball.
Within 10 minutes of kick-off, City were in front. Growing into the game, winger Harvey Barnes’ shot was initially blocked, however, it would rebound off two Bournemouth defenders and into the path of Daka, who lashed the ball in off the post for his third goal in four Premier League games. A brief VAR check concluded the goal would stand.
The Foxes had to do some defending moments later and it was Youri Tielemans who first stood in the way of Lewis Cook’s well-hit volley, prior to a brilliant sliding tackle from Belgium international Wout Faes, who had already made several key defensive contributions.
It could have been 2-0 on 26 minutes when Timothy Castagne aimed a cross at Daka, however, the feet of former Barcelona stopper Neto kept the ball out of the Cherries net.
Another Leicester chance, this time from a James Maddison corner, saw Faes flick it onto Jonny Evans, who struck straight at Neto waiting on the goal-line.
The Cherries hit back on 68 minutes, though. Dominic Solanke beat Faes to a throw-in, and the striker initially had his shot blocked by the Leicester No.3, but Billing was on hand to smash home the rebound, into the top corner, to level matters in Bournemouth.
A quest for an immediate reply from Rodgers’ men ensued. Maddison linked up well with Barnes, whose placed attempt was gathered by Neto. However, the Cherries went ahead through their next attack, with Christie converting Solanke’s knock-down for 2-1.
Trying to muster up a leveller of their own, City looked to respond as Justin picked out Vardy in the left channel. His first-time cross sailed wide of Neto’s left-and post, though. Then a City change, as Nigeria striker Iheanacho replaced Soumaré.
Four additional minutes of time added on saw substitute Jaidon Anthony have a goal disallowed for offside, and while the ball went long to Iheanacho in the closing stages, he was unable to make ground and Bournemouth held out for the win.
