Chelsea 0-1 Leicester City
Jamie Vardy rolled back the clock to score a classic fast-break goal, worthy of the Foxes team which won the Premier League back in 2016.
And it was enough to beat Chelsea, leaving Maurizio Sarri’s side well off the pace with a dose of the pre-Christmas Blues. The early weekend Premier League 2018 results saw wins for Liverpool and Arsenal, which meant Jurgen Klopp’s side had stretched their lead over Chelsea to 11 points.
The shock result of the day was title favourites Manchester City losing at home to Crystal Palace, but this one was bad enough for Chelsea. Leicester’s last encounter with a London title-chasing giant ended on a 0-2 defeat at home to Spurs, and the SBOBET odds pointed to a comfortable home win.
But the Foxes put up a performance like they did in the old days, playing with passion, riding their luck as Chelsea hit the woodwork twice, and giving Vardy a chance which he gratefully accepted.
Highlights of the game
Chelsea had chances to win the game but they didn’t take any.
The Foxes had their hearts in their mouths as early as the second minute when the Blues launched a long ball forward. Kasper Schmeichel and Wes Morgan left it to each other and Willian almost nipped in for the opener. Leicester recovered from that and found their defensive shape, but David Luiz came close for Chelsea with a header after Pedro had flicked on a corner.
The hosts had plenty of possession in the first half but failed to work Schmeichel in the visitors’ goal, though Eden Hazard smashed one against the bar after turning Harry Maguire inside out. The Belgium man certainly looked the most likely to create a goal for the hosts.
Chelsea keeper Kepa was called upon to tip over a rasping drive from Wilfred Ndidi. Then Schemeichel was finally called into action just before the break, to make regulation saves from Willian and Jorginho.
Jamie Vardy has recently said that Puel’s possession based football doesn’t suit him and he made his point emphatically on 51 minutes when the Foxes, having conceded much of the possession, broke quickly on the counter attack. James Madisson slipped the ball through for Vardy and he slammed it home, beating Kepa at the near post. It was classic Leicester of old.
And the arch goal sniffer so nearly made it 0-2 mid way through the second half, after Kepa had spilled a Marc Albrighton ball. Vardy’s back heel was destined for the net but Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilcueta was on hand to make a desperate clearance.
The hosts became more frustrated, as did the home crowd, and as they struggled to break down a well organised Leicester rearguard, at one point Hazard tried to wriggle past five defenders; he nearly made it but couldn’t get his shot away. And it was Kepa who was called into action again, diving low to push away an Albrighton effort after good work from Madisson.
Then, with the seconds ticking away Chelsea had two glorious chances to grab an equaliser. First Antonio Rudiger rose to a corner unmarked and planted his header wide when he should have scored. But Marcos Alonso made an even worse miss when he was clean through on goal, Schmeichel got a touch to his low shot to divert it onto the post.
Joy for Leicester, but you could say Chelsea got what they deserved.
Key Statistics
Claude Puel’s team had no wins in four and the head coach was under some pressure so what a result this was for him and his team.
Chelsea has won its last four home games and five of the last six with Leicester but they didn’t take their chances and Jamie Vardy did. The Leicester poacher has now scored 13 goals in his last 15 Premier League games against the big six.
And this was a big one, giving the Foxes their first win at Stamford Bridge since 2000 and putting a massive dent in the Blues title hopes.
What’s next?
We said Chelsea could prevent this season’s title run-in being a two horse race, but after this defeat the Premier League 2018 odds will tell a very different story.
A Boxing Day evening trip to Watford is next up for Sarri’s men and that won’t be easy. The Hornets are up to sixth after taking seven points from three games.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Foxes either. Next on the Christmas menu is a trip to the Etihad to take on reigning Champions Manchester City. The Sky Blues will have to settle for second place on Christmas Day after their defeat and Leicester might just sniff another chance to dampen someone’s festive spirit.
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