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Jamie Vardy salvages point for Leciester against Bournemouth but Craig Shakespeare's future unclear

Jamie Vardy heads home the only goal of the game as Leicester City beat Bournemouth - PA
Jamie Vardy heads home the only goal of the game as Leicester City beat Bournemouth - PA

Craig Shakespeare will head into talks with the Leicester hierarchy this week with his future as manager hanging in the balance.

Shakespeare signed off the season without defeat and will discover the outcome of his 16-game audition in the next few days, as he bids to land the manager’s job beyond the summer.

Jamie Vardy’s 16th goal of the season spared Leicester from a second defeat in four days and while Shakespeare has achieved his survival mission, it still remains unclear whether he will be given the nod. The 6-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday felt like a damaging blow to his hopes.

Bournemouth can reflect on another excellent campaign after finishing in the top ten, in only their second year as a Premier League club under Eddie Howe.

But it remains to be seen whether Shakespeare will be facing Howe as a No. 1 next season, despite his impressive work since replacing Claudio Ranieri.

Eddie Howe - Credit: Rex Features
Eddie Howe guided Bournemouth to another season of Premier League safety Credit: Rex Features

Shakespeare’s final examination could not have got off to a poorer start. After conceding six against Spurs on Thursday, it was another defensive calamity as Bournemouth took the lead within the first minute.

Danny Simpson and Christian Fuchs were both at fault as Ryan Fraser easily advanced into the area, and though Lys Mousset’s shot was blocked by Ben Chilwell the ball squirted to Junior Stanislas who could not miss from seven yards.

And Leicester required Kasper Schmeichel to produce an outstanding save in the 25th minute to prevent Bournemouth from extending their lead, diving to his left to keep out Dan Gosling’s drive.

Leicester were struggling to make any impact and Riyad Mahrez, making what could be his final appearance the club, was enduring another frustrating afternoon . The winger has even emerged as a target for some supporters in recent months and it seems inevitable he will push for a move away this summer.

Leicester 1 - 1 Bournemouth (Jamie Vardy, 51 min)

But it was Mahrez’s Algerian team-mate, Islam Slimani, who provided the crucial contribution for Leicester’s equaliser seven minutes into the second half. Chilwell’s deep cross was headed back across goal by Slimani and Vardy stabbed the ball in from close range.

Vardy had a goal harshly disallowed for offside just before the hour – he appeared to be just onside – and was later denied by goalkeeper Ryan Allsop.

Slimani also missed a header from a decent position as time ticked away and the focus will now be on Shakespeare’s future.

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