Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea were forced to huff and puff for three points at home to relegation candidate Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. It’s the first time since mid-December the Blues have recorded back-to-back Premier League wins, with the result moving them back into the Champions League positions.
The heavy favourites heading into the contest, Chelsea had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock after 20 minutes when Jadon Sancho was fouled in the box, with referee Tim Robinson pointing to the spot. However, for the first time as a Chelsea player, the usually reliable Cole Palmer failed to convert, with Mads Hermansen pulling off a sharp save.
In the end, it was always going to take something special to beat a resiliant Leicester backline, with Marc Cucurella taking aim from range to break the deadlock in the second half.
Express Sport hand out player ratings after Chelsea’s Sunday afternoon clash with Leicester…
Robert Sanchez – 6
Thrown back into the starting XI after sitting out the previous four Premier League outings and in truth wasn’t particularly threatened at all throughout the match.
Wesley Fofana – 7
Thrown straight back into the mix from the off on his first appearance since early December, but the ex-Leicester man fared well against his former side. Smartly sniffed out a Jamie Vardy chance in the first half and represented a much-needed boost to an at-times shaky Chelsea backline during his 70-minute cameo.
Tosin Adarabioyo – 6
Dealt with – an albeit ageing – Jamie Vardy throughout the afternoon and got the better of the veteran striker.
Levi Colwill – 6
Appears to have found a decent centre-back partner in Tosin Adarabioyo, with the pair looking pretty comfortable throughout the afternoon.
Marc Cucurella – 8
Had the touch of quality to break the deadlock on the hour mark when it looked as if Leicester would prove an impenetrable outfit. Picking the ball up just outside the penalty area, the full-back swung a thunderous left boot at the ball, with an outstretched Mads Hermansen left helpless. Equally impressive with his defensive work too.
Enzo Fernandez – 7
Linked defence with attack in a typically comfortable fashion and helped provide legs in midfield to fend off Leicester’s occasional counter-attack.
Moises Caicedo – 6
One of his better performances in recent weeks, with the midfielder breaking up play and giving Chelsea the respite they needed in crucial second-half moments. Has enjoyed a much stronger second season at Stamford Bridge compared to his first.
Cole Palmer – 4
Would’ve been mightily disappointed with his penalty miss – the first of his professional career. The frustrating part of the England international is that it wasn’t even a badly hit spot-kick. Instead, Hermansen guessed the right way to make a solid save down to his left-hand side. Didn’t respond well to the penalty miss and his decision making was unusually off it. Hooked with 20 minutes to play.
Jadon Sancho – 7
By no means the most obvious decision this season, but the winger was certainly fouled for the first-half penalty and VAR felt no reason to intervene with the on-field decision. Combined well with his team-mates and saw a drilled second-half strike blocked by Conor Coady on the line.
Christopher Nkunku – 6
Would’ve hoped to have made more of an impact against the 19th-placed outfit, but lacked the quality with his efforts on goal. Still has work to do if he’s to convince Maresca and the Chelsea board he can turn into the prolific forward they pinned their £52million hopes on.
Pedro Neto – 7
Probably the most industrious of Chelsea’s attackers. The Portuguese international was lively in the final third and threatened with a driving strike from 20 yards out midway through the second half.
Substitutes:
Trevoh Chalobah – 6
Tyrique George – 6
Earned a rapturous cheer from the crowd with a strong slide tackle late on.
Josh Acheampong – N/A
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