CHERRIES’ fans could be excused for suffering from travel sickness at present, as the club’s miserable away Premier League form showed no signs of relenting at Leicester on Saturday. 

The Dorset club’s 2-0 defeat was their 10th away loss in 11 games – but perhaps the more alarming statistic has been the drop-off in victories since the turn of the year. 

Three wins in as many calendar months must have left boss Eddie Howe scratching his head of late – especially after the club’s blistering start to the campaign. 

Injuries have undoubtedly played a factor in that period. Players being away on international duty ahead of this contest would also not have helped. No matter how hard you try, you cannot control the uncontrollable. 

One thing is for certain though, manager Howe will not let his side limp over the line to top-flight safety – the entire squad will be gunning for another club record top-flight points total.

Cherries still have more points than at this stage last season, with 38 at present.

But they will need to produce much better than what they served up against a Leicester side full of energy and zest, to reach the fabled 40-point safety mark as an initial target. 

Wes Morgan and Jamie Vardy proved the difference as the Foxes foiled Cherries with relative ease on Saturday.

Boss Howe recalled goalkeeper Asmir Begovic for the first time since January as one of two changes from the 2-2 draw with Newcastle last time out.

He came in to replace Artur Boruc, who dropped to the bench.

Midfielder Dan Gosling returned from a knee problem to skipper the visitors. Junior Stanislas was among the substitutes following an injury to his hip-flexor.

Leicester made one change with skipper Morgan coming in for the suspended Harry Maguire.

The hosts notched their opener on 11 minutes with virtually with first chance of the contest.

A floated Leicester corner found England full-back Ben Chilwell 20 yards out. His drilled effort clipped the heel of captain Morgan and crept in off the inside of the far post.
Cherries should have been level just four minutes later.

After Charlie Daniels’s well-crafted through ball set Ryan Fraser free down the left, his devilish cross was met by frontman Callum Wilson.

The England international must have thought he had scored from five yards out, only to be denied by a sharp reaction save from Foxes keeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Leicester’s James Maddison then dragged wide his shot from the edge of the box after good work from winger Harvey Barnes.

It was then the turn of Jamie Vardy to fluff his lines for the hosts. After full-back Ricardo Pereira charged at Cherries’ defence and slid in the Foxes hitman, he was left with his head in his hands after steering wide unmarked.

Cherries winger Fraser continued to cause problems down the left, however. He shrugged off a challenge from Pereira before cutting back for Joshua King.

But the Norwegian striker, who had scored twice in two games for Norway over the international break, shanked a right-foot shot well wide of goal.

Leicester started the second half in the ascendancy and could have doubled their advantage on the hour mark.

Maddison fed midfielder Youri Tielemans 25 yards out but, after pulling the trigger, the Frenchman failed to hit the target.

Fans at the ground then paid a fitting tribute to Leicester’s late chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha with applause and chanting in the 61st minute – as the Thai businessman would have turned 61 on April 4.

Pereira then came close to adding a second. After a block inside the box, the ball fell to the Portuguese star. He forced a smart save from Begovic from a tight angle.

Stanislas then made his return to action following a six-game absence for the visitors, after replacing King 16 minutes from time.

But the contest was settled with eight minutes remaining as Vardy headed home off the underside of the bar.

Cherries: Begovic; Clyne, Mepham, Ake, Daniels (Rico, 56); Brooks, Lerma (Solanke, 64), Gosling, Fraser; King (Stanislas, 74); Wilson.

Unused subs: Mousset, Ibe, Simpson, Boruc (g/k).

Booked: Gosling, Brooks.

Leicester: Schmeichel; Pereira, Morgan, Evans, Chilwell; Tielemans, Ndidi, Maddison; Gray (Ghezzal, 88), Vardy (Iheanacho, 90+1), Barnes (Mendy, 72).

Unused subs: Söyüncü, Okazaki, Fuchs, Ward (g/k).

Referee: Lee Mason.