LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea suffered their first home defeat since April as Jamie Vardy fired Leicester to a shock 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (Dec 22).
Maurizio Sarri's side paid the price for failing to convert their chances when Vardy netted early in the second half to hand the Blues their first defeat in five games.
Chelsea's disjointed display surrendered an 18-match unbeaten run at the Bridge dating back to Tottenham's victory in April.
Sarri has insisted he does not expect Chelsea to challenge for the title this season, the Italian rating Liverpool and Manchester City as "two steps ahead" of the Blues.
This was further evidence to support Sarri's concerns, with Chelsea left trailing 11 points behind leaders Liverpool.
Chelsea remain in fourth place in the Premier League, but they are now above fifth-placed Arsenal only on goal difference, leaving them facing a tense bid to qualify for the Champions League in the second half of the season.
Leicester's first win at Chelsea since September 2000 was well-timed for Foxes boss Claude Puel, who has endured recent reports he could be sacked just 14 months after he arrived from Southampton.
Chelsea almost took the lead in bizarre fashion after just two minutes when David Luiz launched a long ball towards Willian.
Luiz's pass bounced on the edge of the Leicester area, prompting Foxes keeper Kasper Schmeichel to rush off his line, but when neither he or Willian could make contact, the ball bounced just wide of the empty net.
Pedro was inches away from putting Chelsea in front when he met Willian's corner with a glancing header that flashed wide as Luiz stretched in vain to turn it in.
But despite their territorial dominance, Chelsea's passing and movement wasn't precise or fast enough to prise Leicester open.
THUNDEROUS
Significantly, Hazard was again deployed up front as Sarri continued with the experiment of using the Belgian playmaker as a 'false nine'.
Hazard has been less than effusive in his thoughts about the role so far, dropping hints that he would prefer to return to his usual wide position.
He remains by far Chelsea's most dangerous player wherever he lines up, but there is little doubt his best performances come on the flanks.
Hazard had been the midweek League Cup match-winner against Bournemouth and he should have bagged his 100th Chelsea goal after pouncing on a slip from Leicester's Harry Maguire for a fierce close-range shot that cannoned off the bar.
It was a crucial moment.
Ndidi's thunderous long-range drive forced Kepa Arrizabalaga to make a fine save before Jorginho produced a powerful effort of his own that Schmeichel punched away.
Not for the first time this season, Chelsea's miscues in attack proved fatal.
Showing the cutting edge that Sarri's team lacked, Leicester punished a moment's loss of concentration to snatch the lead in the 51st minute.
James Maddison slipped a perfect pass to Vardy, who escaped Cesar Azpilicueta before burying a cool finish past Kepa for his sixth goal of the season.
It was the first time Chelsea had conceded a goal at home in six matches and inevitably they turned to Hazard for inspiration.
Beating Leicester's offside trap, Hazard cut in from the left for a stinging strike that Schmeichel blocked at his near post.
Sarri responded by sending on Olivier Giroud and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, allowing Hazard to return to the left wing.
But Leicester were defending superbly and Chelsea's luck was out in stoppage-time when Marcos Alonso's shot hit a post and rolled along the goalline to safety.
Gambling stakes -- Find potential answers to this crossword clue at crosswordnexus.com
high-stakes (adjective) definition and synonyms | Macmillan
Singapore's Akbar is best coach in I-League. Mar 25, 2019, 5:00 am. Football: Singaporean coach Akbar Nawas is I-League's best coach as champions Chennai City sweep awards.
Van Dijk embraces tearful referee whose mother had passed
sportslifetale.com/soccer/van-dijk-embraces-tearful-referee-whose-mother-had-passed-away/
'I wished him strength and said that he had done well': Holland captain Virgil van Dijk embraces tearful referee whose mother had recently passed away after securing Nations League draw with Germany Virgil van Dijk led the way for Holland on Monday and helped his side draw 2-2 The defender's late equaliser salvaged a point […]
Site Supervisor - Kenston Construction - Singapore
Manchester - Pep Guardiola says Manchester City and Liverpool have raised the bar in what is required to win a Premier League title after a blockbuster campaign by both teams. If both sides win
Manchester City: Pep Guardiola explains why his side must
Netflix renews Lucifer for fifth and final season. Unai Emery urges Arsenal to focus on Valencia clash. England fans clash with police in Portugal during Nations League match screening.
Unai Emery urges Arsenal to focus on Valencia clash - Article
Soccer Football - Champions League Semi Final First Leg - Tottenham Hotspur v Ajax Amsterdam - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - April 30, 2019 Ajax's Donny van de Beek scores their first
Van de Beek gives Ajax edge over Tottenham in semi-final
Pep Guardiola challenges Manchester City to beat Liverpool to stay in Premier League title race Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says their next game against Liverpool will be like a final Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City must beat Liverpool on Thursday in order to maintain their Premier League title bid.
EPL: Guardiola reveals what Manchester City must do to beat
Kepa Arrizabalaga should be "sacked" for his extraordinary show of dissent towards coach Maurizio Sarri during Chelsea's EFL Cup Final defeat to Manchester City, according to Chris Sutton. Kepa
Kepa Arrizabalaga deserves to be sacked by Chelsea after
Former England footballer Paul Gascoigne will stand trial for sexual assault in October after allegedly kissing a woman without consent on a train, a judge ruled on Tuesday. The 51-year-old ex
Football: Former England star Paul Gascoigne faces assault
UK rescuers launch bid to recover body from Sala's plane. Mearns said his discovery of two seat cushions on the French coast last week revealed that the plane had broken up.
UK rescuers launch bid to recover body from Sala's plane
FIFA backs 48-team World Cup in 2022 AFP March 15, 2019 AFP 3 Comments Miami (AFP) - FIFA moved a step closer on Friday to expanding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams and hopes to confirm the plans in June if a suitable co-host can be found.
FIFA study backs 48-team World Cup in 2022 | CBC Sports
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 03, 2019, with the headline 'Spurs must drop Lloris for top 4, says Jenas'. Print Edition | Subscribe.
Spurs must drop Lloris for top 4, says Jenas, Football News
Iker Casillas and family had not yet recovered from his sudden heart attack when they were hit by another devastating news. Casillas' wife and TV sports journalist Sara Carbonero is suffering from ovarian cancer. Casillas had suffered a heart attack during training at his club FC Porto three weeks ago.
LONDON • Newport County manager Michael Flynn believes his side can conjure up the biggest shock in the history of the FA Cup when they host Premier League champions Manchester City in the fifth
Newport manager believes shock City victory possible
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said Friday that he was "honoured" to be courted by Colombia, who want the former Real Madrid boss to join them after the Asian Cup.
Iran coach Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian Cup
0 comments:
Post a Comment