Facundo Buonanotte sealed Leicester’s first Premier League win of the season as the Foxes beat Bournemouth 1-0.
The Brighton loanee’s second goal of the campaign lifted the hosts to 15th before a pivotal run of games.
They face Southampton, Nottingham Forest and Ipswich after the international break in their bid for survival, but rode their luck with Lewis Cook’s free-kick disallowed for offside.
Dango Ouattara and Illia Zabarnyi hit the woodwork for the visitors, who failed to build on Monday’s win over Southampton despite a dominant second half.
Leicester’s early nerves were clear but they were eased after Buonanotte’s 16th-minute winner.
Patient build-up involving Jamie Vardy and James Justin sent Buonanotte scampering down the right and the forward raced inside, breezed past Marcos Senesi and lashed in high from 10 yards.
It was the first time this season the Foxes had been ahead at home in the league, while the hosts also felt they should have had a penalty when Stephy Mavididi’s cross struck Zabarnyi’s outstretched arm.
The Cherries initially struggled to recover and Vardy blew a golden chance to make it 2-0, shooting wide with just Kepa to beat 10 minutes before the break.
It kept Bournemouth within touching distance and three minutes after the restart Zabarnyi’s header hit the post before Mads Hermansen turned Ryan Christieu’s effort away and Ouattara headed wide.
Cook’s free-kick, which Evanilson may have touched, was disallowed – with the otherwise anonymous Evanilson offside – and Ouattara nodded on to the bar from close range soon after as the Foxes held on.
The trust Steve Cooper has asked the fans to give their side will be tested over the next three games, but this was a good start.
The Foxes need victories, even if others in the league are also struggling, and games against Southampton, Nottingham Forest and Ipswich need to deliver points to ensure they can build on beating Bournemouth.
As Cooper pointed out, Leicester are a Premier League club everywhere off the pitch, while the team strive to match their performances to their surroundings.
It is why victory over the Cherries was so important. (BBC)
