Ranieri: Draw not OK, but we’ll celebrate survival with champagne

Claudio Ranieri: Frustrated by draw against Bournemouth

Claudio Ranieri: Frustrated by draw against Bournemouth

Frustrated Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri admitted his disappointment at being held by Bournemouth – but said they’d celebrate reaching 40 points with champagne.

The Foxes slipped two points behind Arsenal, who beat Newcastle 1-0 at the Emirates, with Riyad Mahrez seeing a second-half penalty saved in their 0-0 draw against Eddie Howe’s men.

After the match, Ranieri told the BBC that his players would celebrate ‘survival’  – but felt they were unfortunate not to claim all three points.

“We knew it was a difficult match and we started playing too late,” he said. “Bournemouth moved the ball very quickly but in the second half we were much better.

“A draw is not OK, it is only one point, but it is OK as we have 40 points which was the goal. It’s champagne for my players!

“We hit the post, we missed a penalty and had some good chances. We have not scored for three games but we have had chances. Sometimes everything is right but now some things are wrong. The performance was good, a fantastic effort.”