Leicester 1 Bournemouth 0: Foxes Secure First Win Of Premier League Season To Pull Clear Of Relegation Zone

STEVE COOPER said “thank you and goodnight” to Leicester’s winless start to the season.

He finally achieved his first Premier League victory as Leicester City manager, at the seventh attempt, thanks to a stunning goal from Argentinian teenager Facundo Buonanotte.

Leicester won their first Premier League match of the seasonGetty

Facundo Buonanotte scored Leicester’s winner against BournemouthGetty

Steve Cooper picked up his first Premier League win as Leicester managerAlamy

The 19-year-old forward – whose name means “good night” in Italian – is on loan from Brighton.

And his strike was enough to give the Foxes a huge three points.

Buonanotte is from Lionel Messi’s birthplace of Rosario – and the Argentina legend would have loved this goal.

But Leicester lived on their nerves at times – as Bournemouth will feel they should have had a share of honours at least.

Andoni Iraloa’s side hit the woodwork twice after the break, and Evanilson was ruled offside when he got the faintest of touches to a Lewis Cook free-kick.

It was Cooper’s first Premier League victory since last November when he was with Nottingham Forest – as well as being the first time he had beaten Bournemouth as a manager.

But the Welshman will not be concerned by that – as he focuses on taking Leicester forwards and building on this result.

Harry Winks was dropped to the bench for the first time since joining Leicester last year, as Cooper sprung a pre-match surprise.

With fans turning on the manager in recent weeks, Cooper’s programme notes were aimed directly at supporters as he called for “trust” as the team worked hard “towards a clearly-defined way of playing”.

Leicester made a shaky start, but Buonanotte soon began to influence the game as he saw a shot tipped over the bar by Bournemouth keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

But Buonanotte then started and finished a superb move to put Cooper’s side ahead.

The Argentine collected the ball close to the halfway line, played a one-two on the right with full-back James Justin and cut in to the 18-yard box.

He left defender Marcos Senesi standing before unleashing a powerful shot from 10 yards out.

Leicester could have extended their lead before the break. The Foxes looked to have a clear case for a penalty after 24 minutes when Stephy Mavididi’s cross hit Illia Zabarnyi’s hand.

Referee Darren Bond waved play on and the PGMOL later posted on social media to say “the arm was in a natural position and the ball was played from close proximity”.

But Jamie Vardy was then guilty of missing a chance he may have taken a few years ago.

Bournemouth almost equalised

Buonanotte played the veteran striker in on goal, but he shot wide of the target.

Bournemouth then controlled large parts of the second half – and looked to expose Leicester at set-pieces.

Zabarnyi headed against the post after 48 minutes as he connected with a perfect delivery from Cook.

Ryan Christie then made the most of hesitancy at the back from Leicester – and his well-placed shot pushed for a corner by keeper Mads Hermansen.

But Iraola’s men looked to have levelled the scores after 66 minutes.

Cook’s free-kick seemed to sail directly in. But Evanilson headed it on and was ruled to have been offside when he glanced it past Hermansen.

Bournemouth hit the bar again with 18 minutes left as two subs combined. Luis Sinisterra’s cross found Dango Ouatarra who headed against the woodwork.

Bournemouth star Evanilson thought he equalised but was caught offsideGetty