Cherries pulled level at the last by Leicester
AFC Bournemouth
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- Lee Probert
AFC Bournemouth couldn't hold on as Leicester City scored in the closing seconds of a 1-1 draw at the King Power Stadium.
Sadio Mane scored from his own rebound seven minutes into the contest,
The Cherries made two changes ahead of the teams being announced, Joshua King and Jordon Ibe in from the off as Marc Pugh and Callum Wilson dropped to the bench.
Liverpool raced out of the blocks and Mo Salah almost turned home Trent Alexander-Arnold's centre, the ball skidding narrowly wide of Asmir Begovic's near post.
Seven minutes in the early pressure resulted in the opening goal, scored by Mane in front of the Anfield Road End.
Jordan Henderson's cross saw the Senegalese striker move into space away from his defender and while Begovic got down well to save Mane's header from near the penalty spot, the follow up from eight yards was fired into the back of the net.
Ibe moved into space moments after the Bournemouth restart and was able to work the ball onto his right foot, the winger let fly from 24 yards but found only the Kop as his effort went high.
Mane was set free again on 13 minutes, Begovic saving well at the striker's feet, the offside flag being raised shortly afterwards; while Nathan Ake was soon booked after bringing down Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Begovic was called into action again, palming away Alexander-Arnold's quickly-taken freekick, the Cherries ‘keeper then saving from Salah’s low 20-yard shot.
Bournemouth has the ball in the back of the Liverpool net midway through the half, Jermain Defoe turning home Ryan Fraser’s low centre after a short corner, though offside had been signalled a second or so ahead of the ball being tucked away.
After the busy opening the game began to settle down and the Cherries began to enjoy increasing levels of possession, though the Reds’ pace and attacking threat was always apparent, though the lead remained a slender one as the teams walked in at half time.