23rd November, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Chelsea secured a vital 2-1 victory against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, ensuring they held on to third place in the Premier League standings.
The Blues took an early lead in the 15th minute when Enzo Fernandez delivered a clever pass to Nicolas Jackson inside the box. Jackson wasted no time, unleashing a precise first-time shot into the bottom right corner of the net.
Chelsea thought they had doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute when Noni Madueke found the back of the net. However, the assistant referee flagged for offside, and after a brief VAR review by referee Andy Madley, the goal was disallowed, leaving Chelsea players visibly disappointed.
Leicester had their chances to level the game before half-time. Kasey McAteer came close in the 38th minute, slicing a shot narrowly wide of the left post.
Minutes later, Wilfred Ndidi sent a wayward effort high and wide, failing to trouble Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
The second half saw Chelsea extend their lead in the 75th minute. Enzo Fernandez capitalised on a rebound inside the six-yard box, expertly heading the ball into the centre of the goal to make it 2-0.
Leicester pressed for a way back into the game and had a contentious moment in the 85th minute when Stephy Mavididi went down in the box after a challenge, but the referee waved play on.
Drama unfolded in stoppage time as Bobby De Cordova-Reid was brought down in the box. Initially, referee Andy Madley allowed play to continue, but after a VAR review, he awarded Leicester a penalty. Jordan Ayew stepped up and coolly converted, sending Sanchez the wrong way to reduce the deficit.
Despite Leicester’s late push, Chelsea held firm to secure all three points, maintaining their grip on third place and keeping their title aspirations alive.
