Chelsea secure third win in a row in Leicester

Chelsea picked up their first away victory in the league since October after an entertaining game at the King Power Stadium.

The Leicester City fans made sure to give Wesley Fofana plenty of stick whenever the defender made his return to his former home. However, it was another ex-Leicester player who opened the scoring for Chelsea.

Kalidou Koulibaly had kept hold of the ball for the Blues following a corner and sent it in a cross that Chilwell met first time, catching goalkeeper Danny Ward unawares at his near post in the 11th minute.

João Félix came close to making it 2-0 when his chipped effort hit the post just minutes before Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had a deflected effort bounce back off the bar with neither defence looking secure.

From going close to hitting the post, Félix had the ball in the net in the 34th minute, Mykhaylo Mudryk – operating from a central position – playing in the Portuguese forward but VAR intervened to rule the goal offside.

After going so close twice, Félix was then at fault for Leicester’s leveller. The Atlético Madrid loanee was caught in possession just outside his own box with Patson Daka taking full advantage by firing a powerful shot past Kepa Arrizabalaga from the edge of the area.

Graham Potter’s half-time team talk was made much easier when just before the break, Chelsea took the lead again. Enzo Fernández lifted a lovely chipped pass over the Foxes’ backline that Kai Havertz flicked into the goal.

The second half was an open one with both sides having chances. Leicester looked particularly vulnerable at set pieces with Fofana and Havertz both having efforts from corners stopped by Ward. Mudryk also had the ball in the net but was just offside when he found space in behind the defence.

Leicester had chances too. Conor Gallagher was needed to clear the ball off the line while Dewsbury-Hall miskicked when he looked like he was going to finish from close range.

Mateo Kovacic eventually settled the game in the 78th minute. A ball from the right was headed back across goal by Mudryk with Kovacic doing supremely well to score with an improvised finish.

Things got worse for Leicester City late on, Wout Faes received his second yellow card meaning he will miss next weekend’s trip to Brentford. However, Jonny Evans was able to make a late appearance from the bench – the defender’s first game since early November.

Big picture: With that result Chelsea at long last look like they could be building some momentum – the Blues now securing their third win in a row ahead of the visit of Everton to Stamford Bridge.

For Brendan Rodgers and Leicester City though, things are looking bleak. This was their fifth successive defeat in all competitions and while they had chances going forward they still struggle to defend.

xG: Leicester City (2.10) 1-3 (1.45) Chelsea

Kova 🤝 great goals!#LeiChe pic.twitter.com/pSh3XU2twO

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 11, 2023