Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez scored in every half for Chelsea as supervisor Enzo Maresca made a profitable return to Leicester with a slick 2-1 Premier League victory on the King Energy Stadium.
Jackson produced an excellent end for the opener on quarter-hour, with Fernandez heading residence the second on 75 minutes because the guests closed to inside a degree of second-placed Manchester Metropolis within the desk.
Jordan Ayew netted a penalty deep in added time for the house facet after VAR deemed Bobby De Cordova-Reid to have been felled by Romeo Lavia.
However the scoreline flattered Leicester, who have been outclassed by a dominant Chelsea facet for giant swathes of a one-sided contest.
It was one other glorious away efficiency for Maresca, architect of Leicester’s Championship-winning marketing campaign final season, earlier than his workforce host Aston Villa subsequent Sunday.
However Steve Cooper’s residence facet stay fifteenth within the desk after 12 matches, solely three factors above Crystal Palace within the relegation zone.
Speaking Level: Leicester lucky to keep away from straight crimson card
The problem by Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi on Cole Palmer halfway by the primary half was a shocker. Referee Andy Madley opted for a yellow card earlier than VAR opted going in opposition to the unique determination of the referee.
However replays confirmed the problem was excessive and late on Palmer because the studs raked down the again of his opponent’s leg. Palmer was lucky to flee critical damage. VAR actually wouldn’t have overruled Madley if he had reached for a crimson.
Which left followers questioning why the match official was not inspired to take a second take a look at the incident.
Participant of the Match: Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea)
Summed up the excellent perspective of the guests with a tireless efficiency to assist the superb Jackson. The midfielder offered a well timed lay-off for Jackson’s opener earlier than arriving to go residence a second aim that his work-rate and high quality merited amid some horrid climate situations.
Participant Scores
Leicester: Hermansen 7, Justin 6, Faes 6, Okoli 6, Kristiansen 6, Winks 6, Soumare 6, Ndidi 6, McAteer 6, El Khannouss 6, Vardy 6 Subs: Skipp 6, DeCordova-Reid 6, Mavididi 6, Ayew 6, Daka 6
Chelsea: Sanchez 6, Fofana 6, Badiashile 7, Colwill 7, Cucurella 6, Caicedo 7, Fernandez 8, Madueke 7, Palmer 7, Joao Felix 7, Jackson 8 Subs: Lavia 6, Dewsbury-Corridor 6, Sancho 6, Nkunku 6
Match Highlights
11′ AN ENFORCED CHANGE FOR THE HOME SIDE Effectively, it would not rain but it surely pours for Leicester within the rain because the injured Harry Winks is compelled to depart the scene to get replaced by Oliver Skipp.
15′ GOAL! LEICESTER 0-1 CHELSEA (JACKSON) Excellent end with the volley into the nook of the web from Nicolas Jackson. Flicks it with the skin of his proper boot. Fernandez with the help. That aim was coming. His seventh of the marketing campaign.
21′ A BOOKING FOR NDIDI! Wilfred Ndidi lucky to flee a crimson card for an terrible problem on Palmer. Studs down the again of the leg. VAR took a glance, however did not go for the improve. So fortunate to not stroll for that.
33′ VAR SAVES FOXES FROM SHIPPING A SECOND Noni Madueke with an excellent end as he arrived on the run to stroke the ball into the web, however Marc Cucurella had drifted simply offside in supplying the cross. Good name from the linesman too. Phew! Reduction for Leicester.
37′ LEICESTER’S BEST MOVE OF THE HALF A lot, far more prefer it from Cooper’s males as Kasey McAteer scampers onto a cross from Skipp to clip a end a yard extensive of aim. Their finest attacking transfer of the primary half. Certainly, their solely attacking transfer of the half.
41′ GLORIOUS CHANCE FOR FOXES TO LEVEL! All of the sudden Leicester coming to life after being outplayed for giant swathes of this primary interval. Wilfred Ndidi pokes extensive of aim. Effectively extensive from the Victor Kristiansen cutback ultimately.
75′ GOAL! LEICESTER 0-2 CHELSEA (FERNANDEZ) Absolutely recreation, set and match. Mads Hermansen can solely parry out the Jackson header from the Marc Cucurella cross and Enzo reacts effectively to nod residence from shut vary. 2-0. That ought to be the three factors.
90+3′ PENALTY TO LEICESTER! Bobby De Cordova-Reid goes down below strain from Romeo Lavia. Offside name is overturned, and VAR says it’s a late problem. Pen to the Foxes.
90+4′ GOAL! (AYEW) LEICESTER 1-2 CHELSEA Jordan Ayew does simply sufficient to beat Sanchez with the end. Ball transformed to the keeper’s proper. Again to 2-1 with a minute or so left.