Chelsea 4 – 2 Leicester City: Four quick thoughts on an EFL Cup thriller
By George Perry
Chelsea prevailed over Leicester City in an exciting EFL Cup match that exceeded everyone’s expectations. Four quick thoughts on the Blues’ victory at King Power Stadium.
Chelsea went down 2-0 in the first half, then scored four unanswered goals to dispose of the Foxes from the EFL Cup. Chelsea’s goals and their scorers were progressively more shocking. After a typically desultory defensive performance, Gary Cahill put Chelsea on the board at the stroke of half-time.
In the second half, it was all Spain and all filth. And by “filth” we mean absolute beauts. Cesar Azpilicueta scored a 20-yard golazo that, had Paul Pogba scored it, would have been the OMG squeee!!!! moment of the week. After Leicester City went down to 10 men, Cesc Fabregas put the game away with an extra-time brace.
As we reacquaint ourselves with this feeling of midweek ecstasy, what else did we come away with?
Cesc Fabregas and Cesar Azpilicueta: Men of the Match
The Spaniards were impeccable today, showing what happens when players are motivated and played in their right position. Azpilicueta was back on his natural right side, and looked as comfortable as anyone ever has coming home. He continued his transition to right wing-back, and put the Blues level with a Goal of the Season nominee.
Even if Cesc Fabregas had not scored a brace for the win, he would have been high on Chelsea’s form sheet for the night. His passing was Cesc-ish, in the best sense of that word. He was creative, inspired and accurate.
And that first goal. Just absolute artistry from all involved.
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Antonio Conte made eight changes to his starting XI from Friday’s loss to Liverpool. For the most part, the rarely-seen Blues rewarded him for his confidence and gave him the kind of personnel choices managers relish.
Victor Moses’ first touch was consistently deft, controlled and productive. He is the perfect recipient on the wing to take the attack to the next level. He went the full 120, and left Conte with little reason to leave him on the bench in the Premier League.
Pedro harnessed his energy for the powers of good, and was a consistent factor in Chelsea’s offence. Trust me, I’m as shocked to write that as you are to read it.
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Michy Batshuayi threatened Liverpool’s defence, but was unable to finish. His positioning relied on his raw instincts, showing that he still has a ways to go before he can start against Premier League teams.
Unfortunately, Ruben Loftus-Cheek squandered his opportunity. He still looks uncomfortable as a striker, and continues to reaffirm suspicions that he has plateaued in his Chelsea development.
Chelsea need a strong offense to compensate for a weak defence
Leicester City’s goals were absolute unforced errors by Chelsea’s defence. For the last 30 minutes of the first half, Leicester City’s B team ran circles around Chelsea.
When the Blues returned from half-time only a goal down, Chelsea controlled the tenor of game with offensive possession. Cesc Fabregas and David Luiz kept Chelsea’s forwards well-fed. This in turn pinned the Foxes back and induced confusion among Leicester’s midfield and defence.
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Until the club solidifies their back-line they will not be able to play a standard Chelsea or Antonio Conte defensive-oriented game. By pushing forward and taking advantage of two-way, mobile midfielders like Oscar and N’Golo Kante, Chelsea can control the game well in front of their vulnerabilities.
Cesc Fabregas and David Luiz are critical to Chelsea’s offence
When Chelsea signed David Luiz, an entire side-debate arose as to whether there is a such thing as a “ball-playing centre-back,” or whether all centre-backs must be adept in playing the ball out. More than playing the ball out of the zone, David Luiz provided a dual passing threat alongside Cesc Fabregas.
Luiz and Fabregas saw, found and delivered balls that consistently landed at Diego Costa’s feet in forward positions. Costa was unfortunate to be stymied on so many one-on-one’s, but those opportunities will eventually turn into goals for a striker like Costa.
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Fabregas and Luiz offer two avenues to start Chelsea’s attacks and counter-attacks. Just as N’Golo Kante and Oscar complement each other in very similar midfield roles, the Fabregas-Luiz tandem create a network of new opportunities to shift the play from defense to offence.