Chelsea vs Leicester City Report

Scorer: Cucurella 60’

Chelsea overcame a resilient Leicester City side at Stamford Bridge, grinding out a 1-0 victory despite Cole Palmer missing a penalty for the first time in his senior career.

Marc Cucurella’s second-half strike proved decisive, as the Blues strengthened their grip on a top-four spot while Leicester’s struggles continued.

Chelsea Dominate Early but Palmer Misses from the Spot

Chasing a fourth straight Premier League home victory, Chelsea made a bright start, with Palmer at the heart of their attacking play.

The in-form midfielder saw an early penalty appeal waved away before firing two shots on goal, as the Blues applied relentless pressure down the right flank.

Their persistence paid off when Jadon Sancho was brought down in the box by Victor Kristiansen, earning Chelsea a penalty.

However, in a dramatic twist, Mads Hermansen disrupted Palmer’s perfect PL penalty record, denying him from the spot and ending his 12-successful-strike streak—the longest 100% conversion run in the league’s history.

Leicester Nearly Capitalise on Chelsea’s Defensive Error

Despite Chelsea’s dominance in possession, a moment of confusion in the Blues’ defence nearly gifted Leicester an unlikely lead.

Goalkeeper Robert Sánchez misjudged a James Justin cross, creating panic in the box, and Tosin Adarabioyo’s attempted clearance looped onto his own crossbar.

That scare aside, Leicester struggled to pose a consistent attacking threat, and Chelsea continued to control the tempo. However, their inability to convert chances meant the teams went into the break level, with Christopher Nkunku firing off target just before half-time.

Cucurella Fires Chelsea Ahead in the Second Half

The second period saw an early warning from Leicester, as Jamie Vardy forced Sánchez into a save from a tight angle. Chelsea quickly responded, with Pedro Neto’s deflected strike signaling their intent.

Their breakthrough finally arrived courtesy of Marc Cucurella, who pounced on a loose ball outside the box and drilled a low shot into the net, giving Chelsea a deserved lead.

Leicester Fail to Respond as Chelsea Hold Firm

With their relegation fight worsening, Leicester needed an immediate reaction. However, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men struggled to break down Chelsea’s organised defence. Instead, it was the hosts who looked more likely to add to their tally as the game edged towards full-time.

Late pressure from the Foxes amounted to little, and Chelsea held firm to claim all three points. The win extends the Blues’ strong home record (W8, D4, L2) and moves them back into the top four, sitting two points clear of fifth-placed Manchester City.

Leicester’s Relegation Worries Deepen

While Chelsea celebrated another important win under Enzo Maresca, Leicester’s struggles worsened. The Foxes remain six points from safety after suffering their fifth consecutive league defeat without scoring, leaving them in a perilous position as the season enters its final stretch.

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Chelsea v Leicester, 2024/25 | Premier League