CHELSEA failed to bounce back from Wembley disappointment as they were held by Leicester at Stamford Bridge.
James Maddison fired the Foxes ahead early on in West London before Marcos Alonso equalised for the Blues.
The decisive miss
Christian Pulisic had the golden opportunity to be the match-winner this evening, but he couldn’t convert from close range.
It won’t effect the table, but he might not sleep too well tonight.
Credit: Reuters Rodgers full of praise for Maddison
I’m really proud of the players. You know when you come here, you’ve got to defend well. With a bit more belief, we could have created more opportunities. Chelsea are a top level team, and we defended well.
Brendan Rodgers, Leicester City boss
On the goalscorer, James Maddison:
His goal was outstanding. He plays with belief. He’s a real talent, an outstanding young player, getting better all the time.
Brendan Rodgers, Leicester City boss
.Credit: Reuters What it means
The point means Chelsea have as good as secured third place. They would need to lose to Watford, and Tottenham would have to score in excess of 17 goals against Norwich. Stranger things have hap.. actually no, they haven’t. Chelsea are home and dry. Leicester stay in 9th, with Southampton to play on Sunday.
.Credit: Reuters
Full-time – Chelsea 1-1 Leicester
Stuart Atwell blows his whistle (thank God) and the the points are shared in West London.
It felt like the second half was destined for goals, but it was quite the opposite. Chelsea should have won it with Pulisic. But the forward fluffed his lines from 5 yards.
Leicester were bystanders for large periods of the game, with the home side piling on the pressure. But the Foxes defended dilligently against an incredibly wasteful Chelsea.
Bar a couple of great goals in the first half courtesy of Maddison and Alonso, it was quite dull in truth – even Tuchel looks half-asleep…
.Credit: AFP Chelsea 1-1 Leicester
90+4, Azpilicueta is given plemty of room down the right. He cuts it back for Loftus-Cheek who slips in James. The full-back is swarmed and he can’t get his shot away. That should be that.
Chelsea 1-1 Leicester
90+3, Ziyech attempts to bundle his way into the box, but Evans gets it clear.
Chelsea 1-1 Leicester
90, The board goes up for four added minutes here. Perhaps to a few fans’ relief. The life has been sucked out of the game. Not to sound too dramatic.
Chelsea 1-1 Leicester
87, Barnes is nearly set free in behind, but Mendy is quick off his line to make it his.
Chelsea 1-1 Leicester
85, Big chance for Havertz!
Ziyech spots the German on the move and slides the ball into him. Havertz turns to shoot first time, but it’s a swing and a miss and the chance is gone.
Chelsea have not had their shooting boots on this evening.
Chelsea 1-1 Leicester
84, Fofana then looks to be going down a blind alley, but draws a foul from Jorginho in a good area.
Maddison and Dewsbury-Hall are behind it… Chelsea clear.
Chelsea 1-1 Leicester
83, Havertz is a little over-enthusiastic on Fofana, bundling him to the floor. The Leicester defender then punches the air in front of the away end, receiving a big roar. You sense Leicester would be happy with a draw now.
Chelsea 1-1 Leicester
80, Ziyech shakes off his man and slips in Azpilicueta who has men in the middle, but he can’t find any of them. They are doing everything but score at the moment.
Chelsea 1-1 Leicester – Chelsea change
77, It’s the end of Lukaku’s night. Havertz is on in his place.
Chelsea 1-1 Leicester – Leicester change
77, Vardy’s number is up, and he’s replaced by Perez.
He’s struggled to get into the game. As have most Leicester players in truth.
Chelsea 1-1 Leicester
75, Ziyech shrugs off his man before finding a yard for a cross. But it’s straight at Schmeichel.
Quarter of an hour to go. Chelsea remain in the ascendency.
Chelsea 1-1 Leicester
73, Alonso swings in a dangerous corner. Chalobah jumps highest to meet it, but he can’t get the power behind it under the pressure of Dewsbury-Hall and Schmeichel can mop up.
Chelsea 1-1 Leicester – Chelsea double change
72, Tuchel decides it’s time to switch things up. Pulisic and Kante make way for Azpilicueta and Loftus-Cheek.
Still no sign of Mason Mount.
Chelsea 1-1 Leicester – Chelsea double change
70, Alonso’s ball bounces out to James who strikes a powerful effort on goal. But it’s straight at Schmeichel from a tight angle.
Chelsea 1-1 Leicester – Leicester change
Barnes has come on for Iheanacho a few minutes ago.
I must have missed that. Chris Kamara moment.
Chelsea 1-1 Leicester
67, Dewsbury-Hall has runners ahead of him, but Thiago Silva slides in to intercept his pass.
Chelsea 1-1 Leicester – Rudiger yellow card
66, The Frenchman chases down Castagne before diving in two footed. No arguing with that, but of course, he is arguing.
Chelsea 1-1 Leicester
65, Chelsea are having all their chances at once!
Alonso’s ball in bounces out to Rudiger who turns and strikes one at Schmeichel who parries it away.
Chelsea 1-1 Leicester
64, Mendy gets a block in, sending it behind for a corner.
Chelsea 1-1 Leicester – Evans yellow card
63, Pulisic, looking to make amends, weaves past his man before being hacked down by Evans centimetres outside the penalty box.
James has the chance from the free kick.
Chelsea 1-1 Leicester
62, Pulisic with a shocking miss!
James slides through Lukaku who puts it on a plate for Pulisic. The American fluffs his line to the nth degree, scuffing his effort wide from 5 yards. That was the definition of a sitter. Looks even worse on the replays.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
