LEICESTER have charged to the top of the Premier League table after beating Chelsea 2-0.
Wilfred Ndidi and James Maddison were on target at the King Power Stadium as the Foxes leapt past Manchester United to the Prem summit.
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GOODNIGHT FROM THE KING POWER
Leicester City are at the top of the Premier League while Chelsea are floundering.
The last time that happened during January, the Foxes went on to pull off one of the great footballing fairytales.
And on tonight’s performance, there’s no reason why Leicester cannot produce the unthinkable again.
Brendan Rodgers’ team were impressive all over the park as they stretched their beleaguered opponents with a series of incisive counter attacks.
First half goals from Wilfred Ndidi and James Maddison were enough to seal the victory, the second coming moments after a Chelsea penalty had been overturned by VAR.
In contrast to City, Frank Lampard’s men were poor, and the pressure is fast mounting on the manager as he faces up to a fifth defeat in eight games.
The call is for more time, but whether Lampard gets enough to turn around the Blues’ fortunes remains to be seen. Indeed, making it to the FA Cup fixture with Luton at he weekend would be a start.
So Leicester lead the way – for a day at least. There are two more Premier League games tomorrow evening, in which either Manchester club could take over at the top.
Until then, thanks for reading and goodnight.
HAVERTZ A MARE
Chelsea paid more than £60m for Kai Havertz in the summer, but he’s a player looking utterly bereft of confidence right now.
FRANK TALKING
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has admitted he is worried by both his team’s poor form, and also for his future following a fifth defeat in eight games.
We were beaten by a better team. We looked like a team out of form. The bare minimums are to run, to sprint, to cover ground and too many of our player didn’t do it.
Frank Lampard
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Relive tonight’s action with Graeme Bryce’s match report of Leicester’s 2-0 home win over Chelsea that took the Foxes to the top of the Premier league table.
RODGERS REACTION
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has expressed his delight with the togetherness shown by his players, and states that he was never concerned by his personal record against Chelsea.
They’re a hugely talented team when you see their individual quality but, as a team collectively, we were excellent.
Brendan Rodgers
MADD FOR IT
In an excellent post-match interview, Man of the Match James Maddison has reiterated that Leicester are at the top on merit, and can be incredibly proud of their all-round display this evening.
To be sitting top is a great achievement for us and one we can definitely build on. I don’t think you’ll see a more complete performance from us all season.
James Maddison
BRENDAN COMPLETES THE SET
At the 12th time of asking, a Brendan Rodgers side has beaten Chelsea in the Premier League.
SHOUT TO THE TOP
A James Maddison-inspired performance has taken Leicester City to the top of the table.
The Foxes are just one point short after 19 games than this stage of their title-winning season.
FULL TIME STATS
Leicester City produced another night of impressive counter-attacking to earn a comfortable home win, a success not truly justified by these numbers.
FOXES ON THE HUNT
Leicester City are once again in a title race, and have earned the place among the elite of English football.
FT: LEICESTER 2-0 CHELSEA
Leicester City are back at the top of the Premier League following this 2-0 victory over Chelsea. First half goals from Wilfred Ndidi and James Maddison were enough to see off their opponents, and heap even more pressure on Frank Lampard.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
IT’S ALL OVER!LEICESTER 2-0 CHELSEA
90+2. Ziyech makes a break into the box to get Chelsea hopes up, but shoots straight at Schmeichel. It sums up their night.
LEICESTER 2-0 CHELSEA
90. Three minutes of stoppage time are signalled. Are these the last three minutes of Frank Lampard’s time as Chelsea manager?
LEICESTER 2-0 CHELSEA
89. Rather than taking. theeasy option in heading to the corner flag, Justin decides to cut back inside and attack Ziyech.
He’s played at least an hour more than the Moroccan, but leaves him for defend as he goes past him in a flash. All Ziyech can do is bring him down and earn a yellow card.
LEICESTER 2-0 CHELSEA
88. A final change for Leicester sees Vardy’s night come to an end. Iheanacho will play out the final minutes as the home side’s striker.
LEICESTER 2-0 CHELSEA
86. Werner has the ball in the net, but it’s not going to count!
The German stabs home from the free-kick but the flag was raised immediately for offside.
Replays show that, once again, it. is very, very close. After an anxious wait, VAR uphold the original decision.
When your luck’s out, your luck’s out.
LEICESTER 2-0 CHELSEA
85. Fofana blots his copybook for the evening with a yellow card for bringing down a charging Pulisic. That said, it’s better from the American, and he needs to do more of that.
LEICESTER 2-0 CHELSEA
84. Kovacic attempts to drive Chelsea forward from midfield, but as soon as he makes a move, he finds himself surrounded by four blue shirts.
Leicester have worked really hard tonight, with and without the ball.
LEICESTER 2-0 CHELSEA
81. And now they demonstrate just how good!
A brilliant pass forward from Castagne splits the Chelsea defence, and Vardy is on the move in a flash.
The striker cuts inside Silva with one touch, only for the ball to slightly overrun and roll through to Mendy.
LEICESTER 2-0 CHELSEA
79. Chelsea are beginning to commit men forward, and that’s likely to mean just one thing.
Have you seen how good Leicester are on the counter attack?
LEICESTER 2-0 CHELSEA
77. He hasn’t played a Premier League since last March, but now Pereira is back. The right back is on for Albrighton, and looks as though he’s going to play in front of Castagne on that flank.
Also on is Perez for Maddison.
LEICESTER 2-0 CHELSEA
75. Brendan Rodgers said that he would have to utilise his bench this evening, and now it’s time.
And, most exciting of all for the Foxes, it looks as though it’s also time for the return of Ricardo Pereira.
LEICESTER 2-0 CHELSEA
73. We’re approaching the final 15 minutes in the East Midlands, and if Frank Lampard’s job really is on the line this evening, these Chelsea players don’t appear to be doing much to save it.
LEICESTER 2-0 CHELSEA
71. Werner does well on the left, beating one opponent with ease and then dissecting two with a slick pass to Pulisic.
The American forward takes over, and tries to beat Castagne in the box, but the Leicester defender comes out on top when taking the ball off his opponent’s toes.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
