Puel: Riyad is quality... it was a fantastic goal

MAYBE it wasn’t quite Roberto Carlos but Riyad Mahrez’s injury-time free-kick underlined why he remains such a wanted man. Almost seven minutes had been added on by referee Lee Probert when the former Footballer of the Year stepped up, some 30 yards out. Up until that point, there hadn’t been too much to suggest why the Foxes had demanded Manchester City stump up £80million to secure his services six weeks ago. But with a swing of his left foot, the Algerian international even caused Cherries manager Eddie Howe to lose his cool by somehow firing the ball low inside Asmir Begovic’s right-hand post. Mahrez (left) connected beautifully and the first thought concerned Bournemouth’s goalkeeper, wondering how he had been beaten from such a distance. But it was not until the replays from behind the goal were shown that the amount of swerve on the ball became evident.

Those of a certain vintage will remember the Brazilian legend bending one enormously around the wall some 20 years ago.

Mahrez’s goal wasn’t quite as good but even Howe conceded it was “a magic moment”.

Leicester boss Claude Puel had the easiest job of the afternoon to wax lyrical about the enigmatic playmaker.

He said: “We know Riyad’s quality. He’s a valuable player for us. I’m happy for him. It was fantastic.

“He wanted to give his best for the team until the end of the season and it’s a good reward for him. In the end, he made the difference.

“It was the last opportunity to score and quality players can make a difference from these situations.

“We know the stories from the transfer window but it was important he stayed.

“Since his return to the squad he’s shown a good mentality and a positive attitude both in training and in games.”

Steve Cook came through the back of Kelechi Iheanacho in what was the Leicester substitute’s only real contribution of the afternoon.

It wasn’t the Bournemouth defender’s greatest move.

But it was the last throw of the dice when Mahrez stepped up.

He has a wonderfully languid style. Like most of the best players, it appears effortless to him at times.

And so it was with his goal.

Bosnia keeper Begovic insisted on a three-man wall. It appeared to have been wellplaced.

But the inside of Mahrez’s left foot put such spin on the ball that it curled outside the defensive line into the net. It was some strike.

Until then – and an injury to Cherries right-back Steve Francis caused three additional minutes to be added on – it seemed as though Bournemouth had weathered, as Howe put it, “a mini-storm”. They deservedly led through Joshua King’s penalty at the break but squandered three other chances and still looked to have scored the deciding goal until the last few seconds. Howe (below) moaned: “I was frustrated. I wanted to get the points and get over the line. We just had to see it out. “But you have to give Mahrez credit for what he produced. It was a moment of magic. “Of course, you’re analysing everything after the final whistle. “The positioning of the wall and even the award of the freekick itself. “Knowing it was the last kick of the game doesn’t help. But it was a great strike. “Winning in this league makes a massive difference, but it is another point. “We are edging to safety but looking to make it quicker.”