Chelsea continued their robust begin to the Premier League season with a 2-1 over Leicester as Blues boss Enzo Maresca loved a cheerful return to the membership he guided to promotion final season.
Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez discovered the online on the King Energy Stadium for the guests in a recreation they largely dominated.
Substitute Jordan Ayew pulled one again from the penalty spot in second-half stoppage time nevertheless it proved too little too late for Steve Cooper’s staff.
The outcome retains Maresca’s facet third and on the tails of Manchester Metropolis in second.
Leicester’s depressing run of type – winless in 5 video games in all competitions – continues.
ALL THREE POINTS! 💪#CFC | #LEICHE pic.twitter.com/Q7CbO0MWyf
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 23, 2024
The way it occurred
Considerably predictably, it was Chelsea who loved the lion’s share of possession, with a lot of the motion happening in Leicester’s defensive third.
Cooper was compelled into an early change when Harry Winks hobbled off after simply ten minutes, changed by Oliver Skipp.
And it went from unhealthy to worse for Leicester as, simply 5 minutes later, the guests struck.
Jackson, having fun with a wealthy vein of type in entrance of aim this time period, put the retreating Wout Faes underneath immense strain.
Jackson’s persistence paid off as Faes did not clear the ball, permitting the Senegal worldwide an effort on aim which he duly took, sending a right-footed strike into the far nook of the online.
Chelsea have been starting to purr, with Cole Palmer and Joao Felix selecting up increasingly-dangerous pockets of house between the strains of Leicester’s low block.
In the meantime, the hosts’ frustrations have been threatening to boil over as each Palmer and Felix have been on the receiving finish of a number of crunching challenges.
One other of Maresca’s hazard males, Noni Madueke then stung the palms of Mads Hermansen when he lower inside from the proper and bent an effort in the direction of aim.
Madueke, so spectacular on England responsibility final week, had a aim chalked off for offside earlier than a uncommon enterprise ahead for Leicester ended with Kasey McAteer, making his first Premier League begin, curling a strike inches broad of the far put up.
The prospect appeared to offer Cooper’s facet a surge of confidence, and regardless of seeing little or no of the ball all half, went into the break the stronger of the 2 sides.
Nicolas Jackson opens the scoring for Chelsea!
It’s one the Leicester defence received’t need to watch again in a rush 😖
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/XFCnQ4oEl5
— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) November 23, 2024
On a blustery day within the East Midlands, it will be all-too tempting to explain Leicester’s first-half resurgence because the winds of change starting to blow. Nevertheless it was Chelsea who got here out firing within the second 45.
In a second destined for the tip of season blooper reel, Jackson’s strike was pushed out in the direction of the oncoming Palmer. Simply yards out and with the aim at his mercy, Chelsea’s star man hit the ball in opposition to the legs of teammate Madueke, who had jumped to attempt to get out of the way in which, earlier than trickling out for a aim kick.
🫣 It’s a fantastic block from Noni Madueke… sadly it’s on his teammate!
He shares fun with Cole Palmer after 🤝
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/a6SmXDLi1K
— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) November 23, 2024
Each gamers have been fast to see the humorous facet however, fortunately for Maresca, it was a missed probability Chelsea wouldn’t ultimately come to rue.
With lower than 15-minutes remaining, Marc Cucurella’s cross discovered Jackson whose header was palmed out by Hermansen into the trail of Fernandez who nodded residence to double the lead.
From there, Chelsea seemed largely snug. Leicester had a penalty attraction waived away when, with 5 minutes left, substitute Stephy Mavididi went to floor underneath a problem from former Foxes participant Wesley Fofana.
One other former Leicester participant, Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor, acquired a heat reception when he got here on in stoppage time earlier than the hosts have been awarded a late penalty.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid was clipped as he charged down on aim. Offside had initially given earlier than being overturned by VAR and a spot-kick awarded, which Ayew dutifully slotted residence.