Howe takes heart from dominant Bournemouth
Both these teams have now officially suffered their worst start to a Premier League season. Of course, neither has been a mainstay of the top flight for too long but, even acknowledging that context, it is a source of concern for Bournemouth in particular, especially given how they dominated for long spells here.
“Good question,” smiled Eddie Howe when asked how his team had not won. “I thought we started really well, created a number of clear-cut chances. I’m very pleased with the team’s performance, very pleased with the team’s defensive shape. That’s our first clean sheet of the season.”
The best moment of this game came after three minutes when Jermain Defoe found a yard in the box to reach Joshua King’s pass and scoop onto the crossbar. Marc Pugh would have converted the rebound but for Danny Simpson’s block with his hand.
Graham Scott failed to point to the spot, with looks of dismay and bemusement spread across the faces of those on the home bench, though Howe admitted it was a tough call.
“I’ve got sympathy for him because I didn’t see it at the time but, when you see it again, slowed down, you see it’s a clear-cut penalty.”
Howe can be gratified that Bournemouth looked much more like the side that we’ve come to expect over their two years in the Premier League. Slick in possession and with plenty of movement from Defoe and King, it only seemed like a matter of time before Bournemouth made their dominance count. But Leicester weathered the storm and defended resolutely, while offered little threat of their own.
Shinji Okasaki worked as tirelessly as ever but missed Leicester’s best chance when he side-footed wide from six yards. Ahead of him, Jamie Vardy was isolated and kept quiet by the impressive Nathan Ake.
This was Leicester’s second away point of the season after a start which has already seen them play Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. Dauntingly for Bournemouth, they play Tottenham and Chelsea in their next three games.