Chelsea News Today: blues continue revival with 3 -1 win over Leicester.
Clinical Chelsea continued their recent resurgence under Graham Potter, as Gary Lineker witnessed their Saturday victory over Leicester.
Ben Chilwell scored the opening goal against his former club to set the tone for a 3-1 victory and relieve additional pressure from Potter.
After Patson Daka equalised, Kai Havertz restored the visitors’ lead with a fine finish, and Mateo Kovacic’s volley sealed the victory.
Live Score reports that Chelsea forward Joao Felix hit the post and had a goal disallowed by VAR, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall missed a golden opportunity for the hosts before Wout Faes was sent off late in the match.
A third consecutive victory, after advancing to the Champions League quarterfinals by eliminating Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, should mark the beginning of the turnaround under Potter.
It was only the second time this season that Chelsea scored three goals in a Premier League game, and there was a fluidity and clinical edge that has been lacking this year.
Leicester’s loss brought them closer to the relegation zone after they appeared to be safe before the World Cup break.
Bournemouth and Everton’s victories left Leicester just one point above the relegation zone.
Sunday’s victory by West Ham over Aston Villa would place Brendan Rodgers’ squad, which faces away trips to Brentford and Crystal Palace, in 17th place after five consecutive losses in all competitions.
Match of the Day host Lineker came to support his hometown club after the BBC asked him to step down as host of the highlights show on Saturday due to a dispute over his impartiality.
Even James Maddison, the Foxes’ brightest spark, was unable to inspire them, and if Gary Lineker had hoped to enjoy a relaxing afternoon watching his team, he was mistaken as the home team fell behind after 11 minutes.
Chilwell’s corner was only partially cleared, and Kalidou Koulibaly recycled the ball by delivering a high cross beyond the far post, where Chilwell waited after moving to the far side of the penalty area.
As the hanging ball dropped, there was much to do, but the defender’s controlled volley beat Danny Ward at his near post.
Daniel Amartey nearly scored immediately for the Foxes, but Maddison’s vicious free-kick went wide off his head.
However, Chelsea, led by the combative Kovacic, should have doubled their advantage after 24 minutes.
Havertz spotted Felix’s run and sent him on his way with a perfect pass, but the Atletico Madrid loanee’s chip over Ward hit the post.
Dewsbury-20-yard Hall’s effort hit Koulibaly and then the crossbar just 90 seconds later for Leicester.
Felix thought he had given Chelsea a second when he finished a slick move involving Mykhailo Mudryk and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, but VAR intervened and disallowed the goal.
Felix should have been more disciplined rather than straying offside, and he was also responsible for Leicester’s equaliser in the 39th minute.
The striker hesitated on the edge of his own penalty area and was subsequently robbed by Ricardo Pereira, allowing Daka to score from 20 yards out.
Leicester were encouraged after surviving two let-offs, and Maddison tested Kepa Arrizabalaga before the goalkeeper blocked Kelechi Iheanacho‘s snap shot.
But just as the Foxes believed they had taken the lead, they fell behind mere seconds before the half.
Havertz lofted a beautiful first-time lob over the stranded Ward from 12 yards out after receiving Enzo Fernandez’s deft chip.
Havertz’s subdued celebrations suggested he believed he was offside, but Pereira had played him on, resulting in Chelsea’s first two league goals since December.
After the resumption of play, they attempted a third consecutive goal, and Ward blocked Wesley Fofana’s header.
Chelsea were comfortable and, for the most part, kept Leicester at bay, but Conor Gallagher, who replaced Felix at halftime, had to be alert to block Harry Souttar’s goal-bound attempt shortly after the hour mark.
There was a feeling that Chelsea needed a third goal, and Havertz was denied by Ward before Dewsbury-Hall missed a phenomenal opportunity.
According to Live Score, Kepa was only able to send a cross to Harvey Barnes, and the winger’s header fell to Dewsbury-Hall six yards from the goal. However, the midfielder’s errant shot rolled harmlessly into Kepa’s arms.
