Leicester vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Blues remain third with win
Leicester 1-2 Chelsea: Enzo Maresca enjoyed a winning return to the King Power thanks to goals from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez
Goals from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez ensured Chelsea remained third in the Premier League as Enzo Maresca enjoyed a winning return to Leicester City.
Jackson’s sublime finish gave Chelsea an early lead which did not feel completely secure despite their dominance until Fernandez nodded in a rebound in the 75th minute to wrap up three points.
Chelsea were in complete control when Jackson fired his seventh of the season but Leicester grew into it and had chances to equalise before half time, with Kasey McAteer going close.
But Chelsea resumed their dominance after the break. Cole Palmer’s goal-bound shot was blocked by team-mate Noni Madueke in an extraordinary moment, but Fernandez made sure it did not cost them.
Jordan Ayew pulled one back from the penalty spot in added time, but it was too late for Leicester to mount the comeback. Follow live reaction from Leicester vs Chelsea in the Premier League below.
Nicolas Jackson has become the biggest beneficiary of Chelsea leaving behind last year’s awkward, awful mess
In typically unconvincing fashion, Chelsea march on, thanks to the striker who is now, nestled nicely in Erling Haaland’s slipstream, perhaps the Premier League’s second-most effective marksman.
The social media ridicule in the end became a difficult watch. Glaring misses in big games - the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City a particularly profligate afternoon - saw Nicolas Jackson chastised by fans young and old, even his own, in a distasteful manner you only get from the brave souls sat behind their computer keyboards at home.
Only Haaland and another social media class clown, Darwin Nunez, missed more big chances than Jackson last season, leading to calls for the Senegal striker to be a makeweight for further incomings as Enzo Maresca’s shuffled his Chelsea pack in the summer transfer window.
Maresca, like several other more level-headed observers, was able to see the wood from the trees.
Report:
Jackson the biggest beneficiary of Chelsea leaving behind last year’s awful mess
Leicester 1-2 Chelsea - A late penalty couldn’t save the Foxes from defeat after Jackson and Fernandez netted
FULL TIME! Leicester 1-2 Chelsea
Chelsea remain in third, three points ahead of Arsenal and the big group of teams below them. The Blues are just a point behind Manchester City now, with Pep Guardiola’s side facing Tottenham tonight.
Positive for Chelsea, not so much for Leicester. Steve Cooper’s side drop a place to 17th. They are without a win in four now and were outplayed for long spells today.
FULL TIME! Leicester 1-2 Chelsea
That’s it! Leicester run out of time and Enzo Maresca enjoys a winning return at the King Power.
There’s a concern for Chelsea, though, with Levi Colwill staying down after full-time.
Leicester 1-2 Chelsea
90+6 mins: Leicester get it back though and they will have one last chance to send it long.
Leicester 1-2 Chelsea
90+5 mins: Into the final seconds... and Chelsea have a corner with the chance to run the clock down further.
GOAL! Leicester 1-2 Chelsea (AYEW 90+4’)
Not much time left but Leicester have one back! A short run up from Jordan Ayew and he puts it beyond Sanchez.
PENALTY! Leicester 0-2 Chelsea
90+3 mins: Given! It was a foul and Bobby Decordova-Reid was onside.
Leicester will have the chance to pull one back.
Leicester 0-2 Chelsea
90+2 mins: Bobby Decordova-Reid tumbles to the turf under the challenge of Romeo Lavia - but he’s given offside! It would have been a penalty, but the substitute looks on!
This could be given!
Leicester 0-2 Chelsea
90 mins: There will be five minutes added on. Nkunku fires over and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will replace Jackson to get some minutes against his former team.
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