Chelsea beat Leicester 2-1 at the King Power Stadium on Saturday to momentarily move just six points off top spot.
Nicolas Jackson finished superbly in the first half and Enzo Fernandez added a clincher late in the second as Enzo Maresca’s side were dominant on his return to Leicester.
Jordan Ayew scored a penalty kick in the 95th minute but that was no more than a consolation for Leicester and an annoyance for Chelsea who once again failed to keep a clean sheet.
With the win Chelsea move on to 22 points for the season and have lost just two of their 12 games so far (at home against Man City and away at Liverpool). Leicester have won just twice since returning to the top-flight and were outclassed as they remain in the relegation scrap with just 10 points on the board.
Chelsea’s defense holding them back from title contention
Midfield and attack is stacked and fluid for Chelsea and the only thing holding them back is defensive lapses of concentration. They have kept just two clean sheets in 12 games this season. Chelsea wasted some big chances at Leicester and it was almost too easy for the youngsters. Each game they seem to give up a flurry of big chances in a five-minute spell and that arrived just before half time in this game. They were then sloppy and gave away one penalty late on, and could have given another away before that. Enzo Maresca’s side were wonderful in attack with Palmer, Madueke and Jackson getting better individually and as a collective as the season goes on. But at the back there is just enough unease to make a dominant performance like this uncomfortable for a few spells. Defensively they have to improve and that is the only thing holding Chelsea back from being a genuine title contender this season. They are well ahead of where we all thought they would be this season.
Leicester vs Chelsea player ratings (via FotMob.com)
What’s next?
Leicester head to Brentford on Saturday, November 30. Chelsea are in Europa Conference League action at Heidenheim on Thursday and host Aston Villa on Sunday, December 1.
Leicester vs Chelsea final score: 1-2
Ayew 95'; Jackson 15', Fernandez 75'
Leicester vs Chelsea live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Full time: Leicester 1-2 Chelsea
Aside from a five minute spell before half time, that was very easy for Chelsea and they should have won by four or five. Still, it was a brilliant display of controlled football from Chelsea and Jackson, Palmer and Madueke were once again pretty unstoppable as a trio. Leicester’s late penalty kick means that the scoreline flattered them.
Ayew slots home the penalty kick - Leicester 1-2 Chelsea
Lavia clips the heels of Decordova-Reid who is clean through and initially offside is given. But VAR has a look and De Cordova-Reid was not off. The penalty is given and Jordan Ayew slots home the spot kick.
Game, set, match? Fernandez heads home - Leicester 0-2 Chelsea
Cucurella’s cross is headed towards goal by Jackson and Hermansen makes a great stop but the ball pops up for Fernandez to nod home from close range. Chelsea 2-0 up with 15 minutes to go and it seems like they’ve finally wrapped things up.
Ayew and Mavididi on for Leicester
Well, that is Leicester going for it with 20 minutes to go. Ayew and Mavididi are on for Ndidi and McAteer. Two attacking subs from Steve Cooper and Jamie Vardy will finally get a bit more support up top. Can Chelsea keep controlling the game?
Chelsea should be 2-0 up!
Oh my word. Felix sets up Jackson on the counter and his shot is saved and falls straight to Palmer to tap in. But his shot hits the heel of Madueke who was on the line and tried to get out of the way of it. Madueke has blocked a clear Chelsea goal! Leicester are somehow still just 1-0 down. Palmer is shaking his head and Madueke has a grimace on his face. Chelsea have to grab a second goal soon.
Normal service has resumed in the second half
After that unsettled spell to end the first half Chelsea are back in control. They’re stroking the ball around well and pressing Leicester high up the pitch. Still, the longer it remains 1-0 Leicester will feel like they can catch Chelsea out on the counter.
Half time: Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
For the first 35 minutes it was all Chelsea and they should be ahead by three or four goals. Jackson’s tidy finish is the difference but Leicester had some chances on the break at the end of the half. This feels similar to their 1-1 home draw with Tottenham to kick off the season. Can the Foxes grab an unlikely point and punish Chelsea for being wasteful?
Madueke volleys wide
A Leicester free kick takes a deflection and Chelsea break on the counter. Jackson finds Madueke at the back post and with Hermansen out of his goal, Madueke volleys just wide. The Leicester goalkeeper did just enough to put Madueke off.
Ndidi scuffs one wide
Well, Leicester have all of a sudden woken up. Chelsea have been sloppy just before half time and keep giving the ball away in dangerous areas just in front of their own penalty box. This time a cross comes in for Ndidi but he scuffs wide at the back post. He should hit the target. Big opportunity wasted.
McAteer curls inches wide!
Leicester’s first attack of the game on the counter and Kasey McAteer curls a shot inches wide of the far post. Finally the hosts show something in attack. That was so close to an unexpected equalizer. Leicester have barely got going this half but that was so much better, and sharper, on the break.
Offside goal from Madueke
What a ball from Palmer to pick out Cucurella on the left. His cross is perfect for Madueke to finish but the offside flag is up. VAR is checking it but the decision stands. Cucurella was just off. Still 1-0. It’s all Chelsea.
Madueke denied after Felix hacked down
The ref lets play continue after Soumare catches Felix with a very late challenge. Madueke curls one towards the far corner but Hermansen saves well. Soumare is booked. Leicester can’t get close to Chelsea, as Ndidi was booked earlier and Skipp has just been booked.
Jackson with a finish finish - Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
Jackson puts Faes under plenty of pressure and he can’t clear it. Enzo Fernandez is there to prod the ball to Jackson and he finishes superbly with the outside of his boot as the ball nestles into the far corner. Chelsea lead and it is totally deserved.
Good work from Felix
Lovely work from Joao Felix to dance away from his marker on the left. His cross to the near post is collected by Hermansen but Chelsea had a few players lining up to finish that. Great start from the visitors, as Felix has gone close with a few other snapshots.
Off and running in Leicester!
We are underway at the King Power and it’s lively. Chelsea are on the attack right away as Palmer, Jackson and Felix combine but Leicester clear the danger. Still, it’s a bright start from Chelsea who are keeping the ball well and have already pinned Leicester back.
How to watch Leicester City vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 7:30 am ET Saturday
Venue: King Power Stadium
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Stream online via NBC.com
Leicester lineup
Hermansen; Justin, Faes, Okoli, Kristiansen; Winks, Soumare; McAteer, Ndidi, El Khannous; Vardy
Chelsea lineup
Sanchez; Fofana, Badiashille, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Felix; Jackson
Leicester City team news, focus
While Jamie Vardy (questionable) continues to lead the Foxes in goals, newer faces Facundo Buonanotte and Abdul Fatawu had made their names as big pieces of the team’s safety push. Thursday’s news that Fatawu will miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury is a significant setback.
OUT: Jakub Stolarczyk (ankle), Ricardo Pereira (thigh), Abdul Fatawu (knee — out for season) | QUESTIONABLE: Bobby De Cordova-Reid (foot), Jamie Vardy (lower back), Jordan Ayew (knee).
Chelsea team news, focus
Cole Palmer’s 12 goal contributions this season speak loudly, but Nicolas Jackson has a half-dozen goals and the competition for minutes amongst Enzo Maresca’s attackers is deep and intense.
OUT: Omari Kellyman (thigh), Reece James (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE: Wesley Fofana (knee), Romeo Lavia (hamstring), Levi Colwill (knock)
Leicester City vs Chelsea prediction
It’s always interesting to see which teams are prepared to meet Premier League intensity right out of an international break. The Foxes will be aimed to overturn their former boss’ apple cart, but the Blues are a lot better side. Leicester City 0-2 Chelsea.
