Facundo Buonanotte staking claim to be Midlands Messi after starring for Leicester

On-loan Brighton winger with a wand of a left foot earns Steve Cooper’s side first victory to take them away from the bottom three

He hails from the Argentinian province of Santa Fe and possesses a wand of a left foot, so comparisons with Lionel Messi were perhaps inevitable for Facundo Buonanotte.
It was Carlos Tevez, Buonanotte’s former manager at Rosario Central, who first highlighted the many similarities with Argentina’s legendary forward and it does appear to be something more than hyperbole.
Buonanotte, signed on loan from Brighton, produced a goal Messi would have been proud of, cutting inside before smashing an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.
More importantly for Leicester, and head coach Steve Cooper, it was a magical moment which secured the club’s first Premier League victory of the season.
While fellow promoted clubs Southampton and Ipswich are still winless, Leicester are up and running to ease the tension at King Power Stadium.
It has been a difficult start so far, but here there were many positives for Cooper to take with impressive performances from Wout Faes, Oliver Skipp and his Midlands Messi.
“Facundo is a really talented young guy and he’s a player that can make the difference,” said Cooper. “We’re really enjoying working with him.
“It’s been really important to get that first win and it’s not easy to get a clean sheet in the Premier League.
“I’ve still got a lot of work to earn the trust of the supporters and I’ve got to show some humility.”
Buonanotte had already tested Bournemouth’s goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga after a fine solo run before putting the home team ahead in the 16th minute.
The 19-year-old was sent clear after James Justin’s clever pass and then advanced into the area, eluding Marcos Senesi and then unleashing a powerful shot from close range.
It was the first time Leicester have been ahead at home this season, so it was never going to be a stress-free afternoon.
Bournemouth will be wondering how they failed to take a point, after dominating much of the second half.
Illia Zabarnyi and Dango Ouattara both struck the post while Evanilson had a goal disallowed for offside following a VAR review. Five minutes of added time cranked up the pressure but they could not find an equaliser.
Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth’s head coach, was bewildered by the result. “We are not punishing the opposition when we are on top and it is costing us,” he said.
“We have to improve on the finishing side because that is what makes the difference.”