<
>

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri proud of his players' 'fighting spirit'

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri was happy to leave the south coast with a point as his side held Bournemouth to a 1-1 draw.

Jamie Vardy scored from the penalty spot with four minutes remaining -- after Steve Cook hauled down him down in the penalty area -- to maintain Leicester's unbeaten start to the season after Callum Wilson's overhead kick in the first half.

"In the second half we showed good spirit and character. In the end I am very pleased with the draw and I am sure we deserved it,'' Ranieri said.

"It was a fair result. We slowed down a little after their goal, but we fought a lot [in the] second half. I wanted more from the players in the first half, a reaction when they scored. We fought to the end.

"[It was] important for us to take a point. When we come back from the internationals, we must restart with the right mentality."

Drawing on his half-time team talk, Ranieri added: "I said to them it is not important the result, it is important how you play and your character. I want my players to show the fighting spirit, the gladiator.

"You can lose, but you have to fight for every moment. I said it is not important if Bournemouth score the second, the third, it is important how you leave the pitch at the end of the match and they turned in a very good performance.''

The Leicester manager was also complimentary of Howe and his Bournemouth side, who have four points from as many matches.

He said: "The manager is doing very well job and I told him before the match. They play like an orchestra, all the movement. They are very well organised.''