Magical Mahrez underlines his quality to spare Puel’s blushes
With almost the last kick of the game, seven minutes into added time, Riyad Mahrez underlined precisely why Leicester City had valued him at £80 million on transfer deadline day.
Mahrez’s wonderful free-kick spared Claude Puel from a more uncomfortable post-match inquest, with his first goal since that January stand-off, after Manchester City’s late bid for him.
Leicester had been poor, with their season in danger of unravelling at rapid speed, until Mahrez stepped up to bend in a 30-yard effort to provide some drama and unexpected stardust.
It was a goal out of nothing and it seems inevitable there will be another transfer saga surrounding the winger come this summer. Leicester, however, have still not won a Premier League game since his now infamous strike.
Puel said: “We know the quality of Riyad and he is a valuable player for us. It is important he stayed, we know the stories from the transfer window, but he returned to the squad with a good mentality. I am happy for him, he wanted to give his best for the team until the end of the season and it is a good reward for him, he made the difference.
“It was the last opportunity to score in the game and quality players can make the difference from these situations. We deserved something.”
With Arsenal the only team in the top eight left to visit the King Power Stadium, there remains a genuine chance for Leicester to challenge Burnley for seventh, but this was an alarming performance for long periods.
The recent slump has resulted in accusations of underachievement, while Puel’s frequent changes to the team also continue to bewilder. Bournemouth were soon exploiting huge gaps in Leicester’s defence, with Junior Stanislas and Josh King both wasting decent chances.
And the visitors’ pressure paid off when they were awarded a penalty 11 minutes before half-time, after a clumsy challenge on King from Marc Albrighton. King put away the penalty and Leicester were in trouble.
Mahrez was pushed further up the field for the second half as Puel frantically searched for a solution. Kelechi Iheanacho, the £25 million summer signing from Manchester City, was also introduced before the hour.
Leicester should have levelled after the 73rd minute, but Iheanacho inexplicably backheeled Harry Maguire’s cross-shot wide.
There was a predictable late bombardment and Mahrez finally made the breakthrough, curling in his free-kick to spark wild scenes of celebration.
Frustration for Bournemouth, though, having lost only once in the past 10 league games.
Eddie Howe, the manager, said: “My emotion was a disgusted one to see the goal go in, but you have to admire the technical quality for Riyad Mahrez to score from there.”