Leicester City regained top spot on the League table Tuesday morning with a 2-1 victory over fallen champions Chelsea.
The Foxes were much the better side for much of the contest and were justly rewarded in the 34th minute as Jamie Vardy netted his 15th goal of the season, volleying home a sublime delivery from regular partner in crime Riyad Mahrez.
The goal came as insult to injury for the visitors, as only three minutes prior they were forced into substituting Eden Hazard due to a hip injury.
Proving to be much more incisive and dangerous in the first-half, Leicester continued their form early after the restart and doubled their lead after Mahrez completely deceived Cesar Azpilicueta and then curled a fabulous left-footed effort beyond Thibaut Courtois.
Throwing caution to the wind, Chelsea were much more threatening in the last 30 minutes of the game, particularly after a change in formation to 3-4-3, when John Terry made way for Cesc Fabregas.
Substitute Loic Remy pulled one back in the 77th minute for the visitors, however, it was to no avail as Chelsea slumped to their ninth defeat of the season.
Formations
In a theme that has defied the ‘Tinkerman’s’ reputation this year, the Leicester team fielded was predictable in both personnel and shape. Leonardo Ulloa was yet again rewarded for his good performances in recent weeks with a starting role.
Jose Mourinho once again lined-up in a 4-2-3-1, with perhaps the only significant statement being that of Cesc Fabregas’ omission from the starting XI. Kurt Zouma paired John Terry in central-defence, with Diego Costa the lone man up front.
Riyad Mahrez simply brilliant
The Algerian was unstoppable in this contest, with his brilliant assist and even more brilliant goal a further example of the talent which has taken the competition by storm since the beginning of the season.
Despite his team only having 35% of the ball, Mahrez also had five take-on attempts (four of which were successful) and three shots on target, the first of which was a result of a brilliant solo effort within the first two minutes of the game. It was his ability to drift centrally that terrorised the Chelsea defence, allowing him to both create chances for others, as well as testing Courtois himself.
A poor first hour left Chelsea with too much to do.
Chelsea were both lethargic and too safe for much of this contest. Despite having the lion’s share of the possession (as all of Leicester’s opponents usually do) they created little and carried few threats.
After the first hour of play, Leicester already boasted two goals to Chelsea’s zero – no doubt the most important statistic of them all. When looking at the attacking intent of the respective sides, one can easily see why.
The Blues were devoid of ideas. Claudio Ranieri’s men led the shot count at six compared to three and of those that Chelsea attempted, two were blocked. In this time, Kasper Schmeichel did not have any work to.
Leicester created four chances to the reigning champions’ two, with one of Chelsea’s chances coming directly from a corner.
The Blues, because of the safe, slow play, were without incision. Interestingly, Chelsea attempted 22 crosses to Leicester’s seven, showing that they often failed to play through the home defence.
N’Golo Kante continued to prove his worth.
N’Golo Kante was one of the Foxes’ best on the pitch, once again showing why Leicester pursued him so hard in the transfer window. While a 74% pass completion was not extraordinary, it was the way in which he broke up play and began Leicester’s counter attacks that was impressive.
Kante did not over-complicate his work, often passing quickly, while also looking directly to release players like Vardy and Mahrez.
The Frenchman also completed two interceptions, had three blocks, created two chances, was successful in all of his three take-on attempts and had one shot, in what was a complete performance by the holding-midfielder.
Conclusion
End of game statistics and the 2-1 scoreline will be kind to Chelsea in the record books. They were outplayed by a much more hungry and sharper Leicester outfit, underlying the respective Premier League positions of both teams. They have yet again proved that pass percentage and possession statistics mean little when carrying a potent attacking threat.
Chelsea only sit one point above the relegation zone and despite all sensationalism they are now, by association, in a scrap against the drop.
Leicester showed why they sit at the other end of the standings, riding the crest of a wave that does not look like subsiding anytime soon.
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