Up against 18th-placed Bournemouth, to say that a second-bottom and managerless Leicester needed all three points would be an understatement.
But it was the visitors who came closest to finding an early opener in stunning fashion when Philip Billing smashed his free-kick against the left-hand post. The Cherries remained on top as the half continued, soon testing Daniel Iversen, who did well to keep out Billing’s strike from the edge of the area.
Soon after, Dominic Solanke became the latest to waste an opportunity, dragging an effort wide of the post. But just when it looked like their pressure would not see them go in with a deserved HT lead, Bournemouth were soon rewarded, and Billing finally got his goal at the third time of asking.
The midfielder took full advantage of James Maddison’s poor attempt at a back-pass, before leaving Iversen with no chance with a fine finish in the 40th minute.
Not much changed after the break, as Bournemouth once again looked likelier to find a second rather than concede an equaliser. In fact, if it wasn’t for the defiance of Iversen, Gary O'Neil’s side would have found their second of the afternoon through Solanke, whose strike looked destined to find the bottom left-hand corner, but for the goalkeeper’s diving save.
The Foxes took until the hour mark to show signs of life, as the introduction of Kelechi Iheanacho began to change the tide of proceedings, before Maddison tested Neto for the first time and forced him to tip an effort over the bar.
It was too little too late as far as Leicester were concerned, however, as Bournemouth remained resolute to move up into 15th and out of the relegation zone, leaving the Foxes two points adrift of safety.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Philip Billing (Bournemouth)
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