Chelsea 2, Leicester 1, positives and negatives, player ratings, and match report

A repetition of the FA Cup final just days after, and this time also very important. To get anything out of a match at Stamford Bridge is fantastic, as we have previously seen few games with Leicester City as winners, strangely it was not made any other changes to the team than to play James Maddison instead of Kelechi Iheanacho, with him placed on the bench.

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The game started just as the FA Cup final with a massive press from Chelsea, showing that their form is on the up and also great quality in every department, and a number of VAR decisions stopped Chelsea from taking the lead early in the game.

A steady defence and a good goalkeeper aren’t enough always, but Leicester City held out until the start of the 2nd half when Jamie Vardy made a bad clearance in the air and the ball found Rudiger in front of goal who just pushed the ball over the line with his knee and then Chelsea took their 1-0 lead after 47 minutes.

The second goal was from the penalty spot, with Wesley Fofana making an error in touching Timo Werner, no problem to understand the fault. Jorginho scored from the spot and then Chelsea were 2-0 up.

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Brendan Rodgers made that vital change putting on Kelechi Iheanacho for James Maddison and in the 76th minute of the game it was Leicester City and their “new” goalscorer who converted from a Wilfred Ndidi pass, nicely placed behind Mendy in the Chelsea goal.

Later in the game Ayoze Perez had the best chance to equalize and he was on a clear goal, but with a big “rucksack” on his shoulders it went up and above the crossbar, so sadly from a Leicester City point of view.

Leicester City again showed their strengths coming back and it was nice to see Ricardo Pereira back on the field as his presence really showed and he helped the team when coming on. That is the reaction Brendan Rodgers looks for to get something new and lively when giving players the chance from the bench.

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Despite being again on the losing side at Stamford Bridge, you must take credit for the end of the game, the way Leicester City fought and without Vardy’s bad header and Fofana’s little kick on Timo Werner, it could have different.

Tottenham Hotspur at home can be a difficult one, but could also be a win, not the worst time to play Spurs, but again three points will be needed and it will be possible with a team well prepared and ready to go.

We are all waiting for the excitement to appear and if CL again is missed, sorry to say, but I would have taken the FA Cup and a 5th finish any day of the week, if we get into the CL it will be massive and just a fantastic bonus.

• Positives
  • Kelechi Iheanacho, scoring every day of the week!
  • Good recovry after being 2-0 down
  • VAR
• Negatives:
  • A number of yellow cards, Fofana, Ndidi, Perez
  • Perez missing a chance that you should not miss
  • Not being able to contribute more before being 2-0 down
  • Not really good enough
  • Rodgers probably could have played Pereira and Iheanacho from start
  • Strangely not using all three subs

• Player Ratings: Schmeichel 6, Castagne 6, Soyuncu 6, Fofana 6, Albrighton 5, Tielemans 6, Ndidi 6, Maddison 4, Vardy 5, Thomas 5, Perez 4 Subs: Iheanacho, Pereira

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• Leicester City, Man of the Match
  • Wilfred Ndidi

Match Stats (H/A):

• Possession: 59 / 41
• Corners: 17 / 7
• Shots on target: 6 / 3
• Fouls: 15 / 16