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As it happenedended

Chelsea vs Leicester City: Maurizio Sarri suffers first home defeat

Re-live the action from Stamford Bridge

Harry Latham-Coyle
Saturday 22 December 2018 12:11 EST
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Chelsea: A look back at 2018

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Jamie Vardy pounced to give Leicester and boss Claude Puel a valuable and worthy 1-0 win at Chelsea.

Eden Hazard hit the crossbar in the first half and Vardy punished Chelsea's profligacy six minutes into the second half to ease the pressure on Foxes boss Puel with Leicester's first win at Stamford Bridge in 18 years.

Maurizio Sarri's Blues, for whom Marcos Alonso hit a post in stoppage time, have now lost three of their last six Premier League games and desperately need a goalscorer to ease the burden on Hazard.

The Foxes had won just two of their nine games since the October 27 helicopter crash which resulted in the death of five people, including chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

A run of two wins in 12 games had led to speculation Puel's position was in jeopardy, but a first win at Chelsea since September 2000 should ease the pressure. Re-live the live action below:

Good afternoon everyone.

A day jammed full of festive football lays ahead. Eight games to fill you up on the final Saturday before Christmas, including Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first game as interim manager of Manchester United.

But we start at the Emirates Stadium, for a lunchtime clash between Arsenal and Burnley - a game which has become rather important for the hosts...

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 11:28

Indeed, Unai Emery's men have been brought back down to earth after their long unbeaten run came to an end last weekend. First, Southampton shocked them in the league and then Arsenal tumbled out of the Carabao Cup in tame fashion, a 2-0 defeat to their closest rivals here on Wednesday. 

So what team has Unai Emery picked as his side look to get back to winning ways?

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 11:31

TEAM NEWS

The big story from Emery's starting lineup is the return of Mesut Ozil, left out in midweek for "tactical reasons."

Arsenal remain without a slew of defensive options, but the return of Sead Kolasinac is a welcome one. Mohamed Elneny also earns a start in midfield.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 11:33

TEAM NEWS

Sean Dacha's Burnley battled hard against Tottenham last week and looked to have earned at least a point. But Christian Erisksen's late winner meant Dyche's side left Wembley empty-handed, and Southampton's win against Arsenal leave Burnley in the bottom three.

Nevertheless, Dyche has kept faith in the three-at-the-back formation introduced last time out, making two changes: Aaron Lennon has had a knee operation this week after suffering injury against his former club, while Robbie Brady also misses out with a knock. Chris Wood and Jeff Hendrick come in.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 11:39

So a return for Mesut Ozil, though doubts remain over his role in Unai Emery's Arsenal. His exclusion in the week was another signal that his future is not entirely secure at the club.

However, as Ed Malyon contemplates, there may not be a natural fit for Ozil elsewhere in Europe: 

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 11:43

Walk like an Egyptian...

Mohamed Elneny makes his first Premier League appearance of the season for Arsenal.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 11:49

Ali glee...

A potential debutant on the Burnley bench today in young left-back Ali Koiki, who impressed as a trialist at Grimsby in the summer. He was spotted by Burnley playing in Croydon after a stint in Crystal Palace's academy. A debut at the Emirates today would be a rather nice Christmas present for the teenager.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 11:59
Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 12:01

A festive flair to some of the supporters' sartorial choices today. Still, it is Arsenal red and white...

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 12:11

​Ten minutes until kick off at the Emirates Stadium.

Will Arsenal rebound with a win, or can Burnley find a huge away victory?

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 12:22

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