Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Gunn-USA TODAY Sports
Midweek action for Chelsea FC on Wednesday as they took on Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. Following a draw against London rivals Arsenal last weekend, with a win Chelsea would virtually wrap up the Barclay’s Premier League title. Didier Drogba would return to the starting XI with Diego Costa and Loic Remy still not fully fit. Petr Cech would also get a start, the first for him in sometime.
Despite the pouring rain and a raucous crowd, Chelsea FC would get things started in the 9th minute. Cesar Azpilicueta was almost the unlikeliest of scorers, but his close range effort was blocked away by a Leicester defender.
Again, Chelsea missed a close chance, this time in the 15th minute. Willian made a blistering run through the Leicester defense, and found Drogba free at the top of the box, but he snatched at his chance, and sent his shot wide.
In the 42nd minute, Leicester nearly took the lead. Paul Konchesky forced an acrobatic save from Cech. There were multiple follow up attempts at goal, but Chelsea were able to keep the game scoreless.
The Foxes would follow up on that effort, with a stoppage time goal. After finding some space on the left-wing, Jamie Vardy would send a grounded cross back into the penalty area. After a slip from Azpilicueta, Marc Albrighton finished calmly to give his team the lead.
Letting in a goal on the stroke of the halftime whistle is always a shock to the system. With chances hard to come by in the first half, Chelsea would have to put on a great second half performance, especially considering the hosts were likely to take a defensive shape for the rest of the game.
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The Blues, who were actually in all yellow today, wasted no time leveling the score through Drogba. Branislav Ivanovic beat his marker on the right flank, and found Drogba inside the box. The Chelsea legend then put his shot low and to the corner, beating Kasper Schmeicel.
After the Chelsea goal, the second half proved to be very similar to the first. While the hosts weren’t backing down, chances were few and far between for both teams,.
Chelsea got the all important go ahead goal in the 79th minute, with the two central defenders in conjunction. Gary Cahill got a header on target, which forced a save from Schmeicel. Then John Terry ran on to flick the ball into the back of the net. Chelsea would now just have to protect their lead for a little more than 10 minutes to ensure an important victory.
Just minutes later the game was put to bed. Cesc Fabregas played a ball towards the oncoming Ramires. The Brazilian never broke stride, and sent a screamer at goal, there was nothing the keeper could do as Chelsea made the score 3-1.
Amidst more chants of “boring boring Chelsea,” the Blues picked up another excellent result, this time using three second half goals to show their superiority over relegation threatened Leicester. The squad are now one step closer to officially claiming the Barcley’s Premier league title.
MOTM: Willian- The Brazilian occupied more of a central role this game, and sliced through the middle of the Leicester defense multiple times. He showed off not only his pace, but his ability to pick a pass as well.