Bournemouth 4-1 Leicester: Report, Ratings and Reaction as Schmeichel Clanger Prompts Foxes Collapse

Bournemouth gave themselves half a chance of salvaging their Premier League status on Sunday evening as they came from a goal down to inflict a humiliating defeat on ten-man Leicester.

The Foxes weren't quite at it early on, but didn't have to be to control a Bournemouth team who brought nothing more than a series of defensive mishaps to the table. They opened the scoring just before the first-half drinks break when Jamie Vardy tackled in his 23rd of the season after Lloyd Kelly tried to pull off a bizarre acrobatic backheel clearance.

Bournemouth offered nothing for an hour, but after a freakish Kasper Schmeichel error resulted in the Wilfred Ndidi fouling Callum Wilson in the area, the game turned on its head. Junior Stanislas converted the resulting penalty, before Dominic Solanke raced through and squirmed an effort under Schmeichel to give the hosts a lead that seemed impossible just two minutes prior.

Caglar Soyuncu saw red for an off-the-ball incident in the aftermath of the goal as a dramatic few minutes gave Bournemouth even more impetus, and they didn't look back.

The previously dejected hosts took charge of the depleted visitors; Stanislas saw his effort deflect in off Jonny Evans, and Solanke added a late fourth in brilliant fashion.

At half time, Bournemouth were heading for relegation and Leicester had the Champions League in the bag. Now? We're looking at an interesting finish.

Bournemouth

Key Talking Point

Bournemouth needed a win to preserve their Premier League status, but early on, it seemed nobody told them that. Their lack of urgency through the first hour was pathetic, as they turned in a performance suggested they had already given up.

They needed a huge slice of luck to wake them up, but from the moment Schmeichel lost his mind with an uncharacteristic howler, it was on. All of a sudden, the sleepy hosts smelled survival and had themselves into the lead within moments.

There were clear signs of fight and backbone to a team who have turned in many a gutless performance to leave them fixed into the relegation zone, while they were clinical in the final third - another extremely rare sight from a side who had previously scored fewer goals than every team but Norwich. As it stands, they're down but not quite...well, down - though they will likely need six points from games against Manchester City, Southampton and Everton to stand any real chance of staying up.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Ramsdale (6); Stacey (5), Ake (6), Kelly, (5), Rico (8*); Brooks (7), Gosling (5), Lerma (6), Danjuma (6); Solanke (8), C. Wilson (5).

Subs: Cook (6), Stanislas (6), Billing (6), Cook (5), Surridge (N/A).

Diego Rico

It was a bizarre Bournemouth performance, but they reacted at the right time to get the result they needed. Throughout, Diego Rico was a consistent bright spark on the left of defence.

Creatively adapt, energetic and industrious, if the Spaniard turns in another performance or two like this, then the Cherries may not be finished just yet.

Leicester

Key Talking Point

Well, this one's a little hard to explain. For over an hour, this was a competent and professional Leicester performance in a game they looked in no danger of losing; then Schmeichel committed the heinous crime of kicking the ball straight at the arse of Wilfred Ndidi and the game turned in an instant.

The flukey nature of the defeat might not concern Brendan Rodgers too much, but a capitulation prompted by two major individual mishaps will, especially at such a key juncture of the season.

For the first time really since August, Leicester's Champions League hopes are out of their hands - they'll just have to win their remaining matches, and hope for a slip-up by Chelsea or Manchester United over the next couple of weeks. The good news? United visit the King Power on the final day.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Schmeichel (7); Justin (6), Soyuncu (5), Evans (7), Fuchs (6); Albrighton (6), Ndidi (6), Tielemans (8), Perez (7); Iheanacho (6), Vardy (7).

Subs: Bennett (6), Praet (5), Barnes (5).

Youri Tielemans

Once again in the absence of James Maddison, Tielemans was given the responsibility of chief midfield creator - and it's a role he thrived in.

The Belgian benefited from plenty of time on the ball, such was the lack of pressing from the Cherries, but he took full advantage and looked a constant threat from deep. Prior to his team's bizarre collapse, he was a dream for Vardy and Ayoze Perez, who were the particular beneficiaries of his drive, vision and passing range.

Looking Ahead

Bournemouth have the unenviable task of a must, must-win clash against Manchester City on Wednesday, a day before Leicester return to the King Power Stadium to face Sheffield United.