Chelsea have been made to rue missed possibilities as they fell to a 1-1 dwelling draw in opposition to Leicester Metropolis on Thursday night time.
Leicester had two pictures all recreation however went forward when James Maddison rifled one dwelling early on, earlier than Marcos Alonso levelled issues up earlier than the break. The Blues dominated the possession and possibilities thereafter however couldn’t discover a winner, although the consequence did all however safe third spot within the Premier League this season.
Chelsea began the sport on the entrance foot however it could be the guests who took the lead inside six minutes. Kasper Schmeichel fired an extended move into the channel which Alonso did not cope with. The ball then broke to Maddison who wriggled freed from his marker and lashed dwelling from exterior the field.
Moments later Trevoh Chalobah virtually netted a fair higher purpose with Schmeichel at full stretch to disclaim the centre-back from 25 yards out.
After this fast begin issues simmered down with Chelsea dominating possession as Leicester have been content material to sit down again and defend – which, for essentially the most half, they did so stoically.
They did endure a scary second when Daniel Amartey gave the ball away in a harmful space, however the Ghanaian darted again simply in time to disclaim Romelu Lukaku the prospect to shoot.
The Foxes’ resistance solely lasted till the thirty fifth minute although, when Alonso levelled issues up. Reece James was the architect, floating a ball to the again submit which was volleyed dwelling by his fellow wing-back, who timed his run completely.
The second half obtained off to a sleepy begin and it took till the fifty fifth minute for the primary shot – a wild effort struck effectively over by Kelechi Iheanacho.
Hakim Ziyech then had a few half-chances, first hanging a free kick straight at Schmeichel after which doing the identical from open play seconds later.
Simply after the hour mark, Chelsea ought to have made it 2-1 with Christian Pulisic in some way placing Lukaku’s cutback effectively huge from a couple of yards out. It was critically dangerous.
Chelsea continued to show the screw because the second half progressed, tenting out of their opponents’ half and swinging in a litany of crosses. The Foxes additionally appeared nervy from set items – who would’ve thought it?! – and Trevoh Chalobah almost transformed from a nook with simply over 20 minutes to play.
After this scare Leicester tightened up on the again and ended up seeing out the draw with out too many points. The purpose consolidated their place within the high half of the desk they usually may end as excessive as eighth if outcomes go their method on the ultimate day.
Listed here are your participant scores from Stamford Bridge…
Edouard Mendy (GK) – 6/10 – Lowered to a spectator for the overwhelming majority. Nothing he may do in regards to the purpose.
Trevoh Chalobah (CB) – 7/10 – Comfy transferring into midfield when in possession and distributed precisely.
Thiago Silva (CB) – 7/10 – Helped his facet progress up the pitch when Leicester sat of their mid block.
Antonio Rudiger (CB) – 6/10 – Booked for a very poor problem within the second half. Might need been despatched off. Not troubled defensively.
Reece James (RWB) – 7/10 – Switched the play excellently and arrange Alonso’s equaliser with a tremendous cross.
N’Golo Kante (CM) – 6/10 – Didn’t all the time time his challenges appropriately however was all the time busy. Subbed whereas on a yellow.
Jorginho (CM) – 7/10 – His supply was engaging and would have earned him an help on one other day. Tidy in possession.
Marcos Alonso (LWB) – 6/10 – Made a weird error which gifted Leicester their opener however made up for that with an excellent end.
Hakim Ziyech (RF) – 3/10 – Wasteful within the first half. Wasteful within the second half. Subbed.
Romelu Lukaku (ST) – 5/10 – Too sluggish to set his toes when offered with a uncommon first-half opening. Maintain-up play improved after the interval.
Christian Pulisic (LF) – 3/10 – Missed an entire sitter within the second half. Its xG worth was 0.41… which appears extraordinarily beneficiant.
SUB: Cesar Azpilicueta – 6/10
SUB: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (CM) – 6/10
SUB: Kai Havertz (ST) – N/A
Kasper Schmeichel (GK) – 7/10 – Saved effectively from Chalobah early on however was then overwhelmed at his close to submit by Alonso. Had a very good second half.
Daniel Amartey (CB) – 6/10 – Fairly uncomfortable on the ball and performed himself into hassle. Did make a few nice blocks.
Wesley Fofana (CB) – 7/10 – Began strongly however began to look much less assured as Chelsea’s stress grew within the second half.
Jonny Evans (CB) – 8/10 – Had a mammoth first half, making eight clearances and finishing a mixed six tackles and interceptions. A bit leggy after the break however taking part in in the midst of a again three fits him.
Nampalys Mendy (DM) – 6/10 – Saved plugging away and broke up play successfully at instances. Might be attention-grabbing to see if Leicester chuck him one other contract in the summertime.
Timothy Castagne (RWB) – 6/10 – Defended diligently, blocking a few crosses. Little to report in different route as he barely left his half.
James Maddison (CM) – 8/10 – Justified his selection as Leicester’s participant of the season with a shocking early purpose.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor (CM) – 5/10 – Offered himself by failing to make an interception within the lead as much as Alonso’s purpose. Saved his form and tried to assist his facet stand up the pitch.
Luke Thomas (LWB) – 6/10 – A tad rash at instances. Made some vital restoration runs and clearances.
Jamie Vardy (ST) – 4/10 – Service was non existent – he had 11 touches in his 78 minutes. Disciplined off the ball.
Kelechi Iheanacho (ST) – 4/10 – Failed to carry it up on the uncommon events the ball got here to him.
SUB: Harvey Barnes (ST) – 5/10 – Remoted.
SUB: Ayoze Perez (ST) – N/A
