Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

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
Comments
Chelsea: A look back at 2018

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

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:

52 minutes

Arsenal can ill-afford more injury issues so Unai Emery will be a relieved man as both Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Matteo Guendouzi are soon back on their feet after taking knocks.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:39

54 minutes

Sead Kolasinac is full of running this afternoon.

Granit Xhaka can't find him with a curling pass down the line, but the Bosnian is willing to test Phil Bardsley in behind at every opportunity.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:41

55 minutes

Arsenal fortunate!

Burnley work a free kick routine as Arsenal try to play offside, stepping up in unison.

They have done it well and all the Burnley players have gone too early, but the flag does not go up, and had Chris Wood's touch been better he would have simply slotted home.

As it is, Arsenal manage to recover and concede a corner. Lucky.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:44

57 minutes

Ashley Barnes does need to be careful, perhaps leaving a stamp on Matteo Guendouzi after fouling the Frenchman but escaping a second yellow card.

He then fires some distance over the bar from 25 yards. It might be start for Sean Dyche to take the frustrated Austrian off.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:45

59 minutes

A change does come, but it is one for Arsenal rather than Burnley.

Mohamed Elneny is replaced by Lucas Torreira, who we are told has been suffering from a cold, hence his spot on the bench,

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:46

60 minutes

Things are just getting a little bit heated.

Jack Cork leaves a foot in on Matteo Guendouzi, and Ben Mee fells Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to concede a free kick in a dangerous area.

Mesut Ozil and Lucas Torreira stand over it...

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:47

61 minutes

Torreira it is who strides towards the ball, but that's awful. High and wide.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:48

GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Burnley (Ashley Barnes, 63 minutes)

Burnley back in it!

Twice the visitors launch balls into the Arsenal box, and from the second Ashley Barnes profits.

Lucas Torreira's attempted clearance ricochets over to Barnes lurking on the left, and the Austrian flays the ball past Bernd Leno with considerable disdain.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:50

66 minutes

Here come Arsenal again.

It is Sead Kolasinac once more powering free and squaring, but his cross is just behind Alexandre Lacazette, who is unaware that Mesut Ozil is well-placed behind him and thus tries to control.

Burnley smuggle the ball away.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:53

68 minutes

Mesut Ozil takes a corner short with the box loaded and twice has it returned to him in crossing position, but opts to ignore his waiting teammates and play the ball backwards on both occasions.

Curious decision-making.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 13:56

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in