Leicester slip up in title race, but for Ranieri it’s a champagne moment
HAVING stressed all along that 40 points was the primary ambition this season, Claudio Ranieri is happy to let his high-flying squad crack open the champagne – even if a goalless draw against Bournemouth is hardly the stuff of Champions League dreams.
Leicester, whose rise to the top of the Premier League has been the story of the season, would have wanted to reach the pre-season target in a more flamboyant manner but their lethal duo Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez can’t keep performing miracles.
Vardy struck a post from four yards, Mahrez had a penalty saved by Artur Boruc and then Vardy was denied another late spot-kick as 10-men Bournemouth clung on.
This is where Ranieri is a man-manager par excellence. Instead of worrying about three games without a goal, or falling two points behind leaders Arsenal, or a run of one goal in six games for Vardy, he immediately called for a celebration.
‘Champagne for my players,’ he ordered. ‘Maybe the chairman will pay because I paid for pizza earlier in the season. We made a lot of mistakes on the last pass because we were so anxious to score a winning goal. But it’s OK, 40 points and a clean sheet. Come on, 40 points. We are safe.’
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe can also be proud of his players, who refused to throw in the towel after defender Simon Francis had been harshly sent off for bringing down Vardy, having been outpaced by the striker in a race to Danny Drinkwater’s pass.
‘For me it was not a penalty,’ said Howe. ‘That was my opinion at the time and after I’ve seen replays. Simon has come from the side and got a clear touch on the ball.’
Francis held his head in his hands as he trudged off after an hour and Bournemouth will feel justice was done as Boruc, something of a penalty-saving expert during his Celtic days, flung himself to the left to keep out Mahrez’s kick, which arrived at a comfortable height.
Vardy had been ill over the Christmas period and is wearing a cast as he recovers from a broken wrist. Even so, the 15-goal striker looked the most dangerous player on the pitch.
Time and again, he accelerated beyond the Bournemouth back line. He should have scored after controlling Leonardo Ulloa’s pass and touching it past Francis, but smacked his shot against the upright with Boruc helpless.
He then crossed for Ulloa when he should have shot, twisted a header wide and forced Boruc into another save from 18 yards. From the resulting corner skipper Wes Morgan skied over from close range.
Perhaps Vardy should have taken the penalty kick he was awarded. Instead, Mahrez stepped forward and the stuttering run-up failed to fool Boruc. It will be interesting to see who takes the next one.
‘Don’t worry. If he is calm, it is OK for Riyad to take another penalty,’ said Ranieri. ‘Every time, Jamie and him decide who wants to shoot the penalty.’
Bournemouth also showed adventure in the first hour with Josh King, Dan Gosling and Junior Stanislas all missing chances.
After Francis’ departure, they settled for a point with veteran defender Sylvain Distin coming on to shore up the ranks. Their only scare came when Vardy fell to the ground in injury-time, claiming a shove from Gosling but referee Andre Marriner waved it away.
Howe, whose side are betterknown for passing than scrapping, was delighted with his players’ resolve. ‘A lot is made of our style but it is about getting points and staying in the league,’ he said. ‘If we carry on being adaptable, I think we will be fine this year.’
Foxes fans cheekily sang, ‘We are staying up’ — and Ranieri has had to set a new goal.
‘We made 39 points the first half, we have to try to make 40 in the second half,’ he said. ‘We have had a fantastic season so far, why not believe anything is possible.’