Eddie Howe hails 'heroic' Bournemouth defence after Leicester victory

Eddie Howe hailed a "heroic defensive display" as Bournemouth inflicted an eighth defeat on Premier League champions Leicester City.

Marc Pugh's first-half strike sealed the Cherries' victory but the result owed much to the hosts defensive resilience as Steve Cook's precise tackle and Artur Boruc's point-blank save prevented the Foxes from snatching a point at the death.

"We were playing the champions, we know their qualities and the lads did extremely well," Howe told Sky Sports.

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"We answered a few questions from a defensive perspective playing against Jamie Vardy and Islam Slimani and Riyad Mahrez given the quality they have.

"We've kept a really important clean sheet with a heroic defensive display in the second half.

"There were two different sides of the game because in the first half we dominated and showed our quality with the ball.

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"Cook's tackle on Okazaki was worth a goal, it was an outstandingly well-time tackle. Not only that but Artur Boruc's save at the end and Simon Francis block to follow that up with were crucial.

"That was how we had to deal with Leicester and their long throws and set plays and we were magnificent in that respect."

Pugh, making his first Premier League start of the season, seized his rare opportunity for a first-team berth, volleying home a thunderous rebound after Benik Afobe was denied by Leicester goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler on 36 minutes.

"I'm really pleased [for Pugh]. He's the model professional," Howe added.

"He's been out of the squad, out of the team but gone here, there and everywhere around the country playing development games to keep himself fit while he waits for his opportunity so I'm delighted he's taken the opportunity.

"We need good professionals to come in in their moment and take it and he's certainly done everything we wanted him to do today."

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Bournemouth atoned for following their dramatic victory over Liverpool with a defeat at Burnley, bouncing back by moving up to eighth in the table.

And Howe believes the ability to bounce back from setbacks will serve his side in good stead this season.

"It's an important quality to have in this league," he said. "Given the quality of opposition you're going to have moments and setbacks that you don't get the results you want.

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"But it's an important thing because the most important thing is that refocus and try and go again the next game."

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