Ranieri: We Deserved To Win

- Riyad Mahrez had a second half penalty saved while Jamie Vardy struck the post in the first 45 minutes 

- The visitors played the second 45 minutes with 10 men after Simon Francis was red carded for a foul on Vardy that led to the penalty 

- The point moves City onto 40 points after just 20 games, which was their pre-season target 

Claudio Ranieri could find little fault with his players after they were held to a goalless draw in an action-packed game against AFC Bournemouth at King Power Stadium. 

Jamie Vardy hit the post, Riyad Mahrez saw a penalty saved and Bournemouth faced the final 30 minutes with 10 men as the Foxes threw everything they had into a push for victory. 

The visitors were both resilient and well organised however, meaning Ranieri’s side had to settle for a point to usher in the New Year – one that saw them reach their pre-season target of 40 points after just 20 games of the campaign. 

Ranieri was certain that his team deserved to take all three points from the fixture but was nonetheless pleased to avoid defeat in another game that saw maximum effort from his team. 

“I think at the end of the match we deserved to win because we made so many chances,” Ranieri reflected to Foxes Player HD. “We touched the post, we lost a penalty and some other chances. 

“Of course the first half was difficult. They moved the ball very quickly but the second half saw us make a fantastic performance. We were very determined to try to win the match. 

“We tried to do our best and maybe tonight we were a little nervous to do that when we tried to score a goal and maybe we lost a few passes but it’s OK because our goal was 40 points. 

“We achieved 40 points and at the moment we are safe. Now we start a new season. Of course we wanted to start the New Year with a victory but the performance was good. I can say nothing to my players only well done for the big effort they gave.”