Leicester City 2 Chelsea 1
If anyone wanted evidence of what a wild and eccentric season this has become, it came during those moments when Leicester City – the team, lest it be forgotten, that began the season as 2,000-1 outsiders to win the title – started showboating against the side that can still call themselves Premier League champions but are hovering only a point above the relegation zone.
Wes Morgan shimmied with the ball and eluded a couple of challenges. Riyad Mahrez went looking for nutmegs. Jamie Vardy wanted to take on everyone and Leicester, almost implausibly, are back on top of the league, enjoying the view.
They were brilliant, once again, and if the chasing pack are underestimating Claudio Ranieri's team the story of this match should remove any complacency. Chelsea, in turn, have now lost five of their last seven league fixtures, leaving them fifth from bottom and bringing yet more scrutiny on their increasingly beleaguered manager. José Mourinho substituted his captain, John Terry, and switched to an experimental three-man defence shortly after Mahrez had made it 2-0 and, if nothing else, he can be mildly encouraged by the way his team fought to save themselves during the final exchanges.
Ultimately, though, this was another chastening experience for Mourinho in a season full of them. Chelsea also lost Eden Hazard to a first-half injury and there is now a 22-point swing between these sides since the start of April. Jamie Vardy added another goal to his collection and Leicester played with enough vibrancy to merit another breathless victory.
Relegation worries
The indignities for Chelsea these days not only stretch to opposition fans singing about their relegation worries but, in Leicester’s case, a lacerating putdown of “Jamie Vardy, he’s scored more than you”. It was not strictly true – though not way out, at 18-15 – but the man who has just won back-to-back Premier League player-of-the-month awards looked like he wanted to ensure there was no time for pedantry.
Vardy’s speed and directness were prominent features from the start. Ramires is no slouch but found himself being chased down early on. When Thibaut Courtois and Kurt Zouma almost got in a tangle shortly afterwards it was because Vardy was loitering with intent. Vardy was always on the move, ensuring he was an influence on the match, and his goal was another demonstration of his understanding with Riyad Mahrez.
The cross came from the right, clipped over with the lovely, soft touch that has made Mahrez arguably the most effective wide player in the league. Vardy had already been involved in the build-up and as the ball was moved out to the wing via Leonardo Ulloa he was already getting into position, anticipating the cross and then catching out Terry and Zouma with his superior movement.
Zouma hesitated for a split second and Vardy was suddenly clear in the six-yard area, sending his volley past Courtois with the confidence of a man who expects to score.
Lower back
Chelsea’s position had been weakened shortly beforehand when Vardy, trying to win the ball in midfield, banged into Hazard twice in quick succession and the second of those challenges jarred the Belgian so badly the pain flashed across his face. Chelsea’s medical staff sprayed Hazard’s lower back and hip but when it became obvious he needed to come off Mourinho initially instructed him to stay on while Pedro took off his tracksuit to warm up.
Within moments the ball was played to Hazard but he was in so much discomfort he could barely move.
Leicester had lost one of their own key players by that stage because of a hamstring injury that meant Danny Drinkwater being replaced by Andy King after 16 minutes. Yet there was a streak of confidence running through Ranieri’s team, perhaps encapsulated by that moment just before half-time when Mahrez slipped the ball through Ramires’s legs.
Three minutes into the second half, there was another glorious demonstration of Mahrez’s gifts but this time with even greater effect. Mahrez was on the right-hand side of the penalty area when Marc Albrighton’s long, crossfield pass picked him out.
His control and footwork teased and tormented César Azpilicueta. The angle was tight but Mahrez applied just the right mix of curl and pace and, with an elegant swish of his left foot, the ball curled around Azpilicueta and high into the far corner.
A lot will be made of Terry’s withdrawal but Mourinho’s change improved his team. For the first time in the match, Chelsea started to play with width and penetration.
Willian, in particular, played with great spirit and in the space of 10 minutes Chelsea created more chances than the rest of the match put together. Pedro crossed from the left found Rémy whose close-range header ensured it would be a nerve-shredding finale.
LEICESTER: Schmeichel, Simpson, Morgan, Huth, Fuchs, Mahrez (Inler 82), Drinkwater (King 17), Kante, Albrighton, Ulloa, Vardy (Okazaki 88). Subs not used: Dyer, Wasilewski, Benalouane, Schwarzer. Booked: Vardy,Huth.
CHELSEA: Courtois, Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry (Fabregas 53), Azpilicueta, Ramires, Matic, Willian, Oscar (Remy 65), Hazard (Pedro 31), Costa. Subs not used: Begovic, Mikel, Kenedy, Cahill.
Attendance: 32,054
Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear). – Guardian service
