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Steve Cooper and co would have preferred their first victory to have come sooner - and the manager has been clear he takes responsibility - but it has arrived to give Leicester the perfect platform.

Saturday's 1-0 win over Bournemouth comes at the start of a run which, at least externally, has been viewed as critical in any survival attempt.

Southampton, Nottingham Forest and Ipswich come immediately after the international break and it would be naive to suggest it is not a huge opportunity for the Foxes to become upwardly mobile.

The Saints and Ipswich, promoted with Leicester last season, remain winless - while the visit of Forest will be the first time Cooper has faced his former club since being sacked last December.

Take, say, seven points and the Foxes have lift off, although anything four and below would, most likely, be viewed as disappointing and add to long-term survival fears.

But the Bournemouth victory encapsulated what the Foxes needed to do.

Facundo Buonanotte added the quality in taking his chance - although Jamie Vardy should have done better with his first-half opening - while the defensive unity was there to repel the Cherries.

They rode their luck - Bournemouth twice hitting the woodwork and having Lewis Cook's free-kick disallowed for offside - but it would be fair to say Leicester earned a little.

It was the first time they had been in the lead at home and holding on to that, especially after losing a 2-0 advantage at Crystal Palace, will only help mentally.

They have got over the line - now the race for survival can really begin.