Claude Puel decided to just keep the same system as against Man City, and just replace Vicente Iborra with Papy Mendy in midfield, and of course keep Hamza Choudhury in the line up giving him a new chance after being very positive in his start against Man City.
Puel had done changes in other areas of the team, Schmeichel, Pereira, Morgan and Chilwell were back, Maddison and Albrighton both started and Vardy was again back in the team, showing good form up front. But the main surprise was of course to see Choudhury being picked before Gray and Iborra who both were on the bench.
Of course a game we all knew Chelsea would put pressure on Leicester and so they did, but good saves from Kasper Schmeichel and a defense that looked quality made it hard for Eden Hazard to get to his goal chances.
Leicester didn’t have much first half, but managed for periods to keep the ball high in the field and play a bit, so that Chelsea never really looked dangerous. Two big attempts, one chance from Hazard hitting the bar, and another big chance saved terrifically by Kasper.
Claude Puel played his most trusted back four with Pereira, Morgan, Maguire and Chilwell, and they know each other well. They managed to keep their coolness in crucial part of the first half, not letting in silly goals in the start and the final end of those first 45 minutes.
Coming out 2nd half with a 0-0 draw was a real boost and it shows that, against this type of players as Chelsea have, you can manage to keep up with it and that enhance moral.
In the 51st minute magic strikes with a well build up from Maddison, finding Jamie Vardy inside the penalty box, and bang, 1-0 to Leicester, what a great and fantastic finish from out top man up front.
Leicester fought well and despite having the ball just in 36% of the game, they had good balance and especially as mentioned above, Choudhury and his position in the team worked wonders against those teams having possession.
Claude Puel managed to carve out a relatively good result against Man City, and today at Stamford Bridge he got his well deserved reward, with that 1-0 win. A bit of luck of course when Alonso hit that post on the inside in stoppage time.
Well earned and three very important points picked up away against Chelsea, and again Jamie Vardy is the player to believe in, so please encourage the boys and stay behind them. It might be dull at times but against Chelsea I cannot use that word in my summary, would say the total opposite.
- Positives:
- Keeping a good defense during 90+ minutes
- Be able to be clinical making the most out of the chances you get
- Winning, keeping a clean sheet
- Hamza Choudhury, again playing to a 9, great stopper of the ball
- Negatives:
- Must stop passing the ball so much backwards
- Some bad clearances from the back, surely able to play the ball longer
- Player Ratings: Schmeichel 8. Pereira 8, Chilwell 7, Morgan 7, Maguire 6, Ndidi 7, Choudhury 9, Albrighton 7, Vardy 8, Mendy 7, Maddison 7, Subs: Gray, Iheanacho
Match Stats: H/A
- Possession: 64 / 36
- Corners: 9 / 5
- Shots on target: 6 / 4
- Shots wide: 5 / 2
- Fouls: 9 / 9
- Offsides: 3 / 2
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