Leicester City vs Chelsea: Five key talking points

Heavyweight Leicester City welcomed relegation candidate Chelsea, in a fixture which was highly anticipated to play a key role in title race this season. Ranieri’s side had a glorious opportunity to sit on top of the table, while a win for Chelsea would have been a great morale booster to turn their fortune this season.

As expected Leicester took lead in first half and played like the leaders, whereas Chelsea, on the other hand, were ordinary in their performance and started poorly as they lacked urgency, were slow and sluggish, and had no tempo in their play.

Here are the five talking points from the encounter.

Best of all

Mahrez had a fantastic game, setting up a goal for Vardy and then creating a goal for himself with his quick feet which left Azpilicueta helpless. He was always a threat with his pace and tricky as Chelsea shifted to 3 at the back.

Remy who came on as a substitute and scored the only goal for Chelsea, played well and showed a direct approach to level the scores. His presence was felt in the box as few half chances were not converted to goal by Costa.

Worst of all

For the Blues, Azpilicueta didn’t quite have a good game and he could be blamed for both the goals, allowing Mahrez to shift on his favorite left foot instead of showing him side, going forward he was of no aid to his teammates. One of those games for the Spaniard to forget.

For league leaders, Simpson had a tough task to keep Hazard and Pedro quite for the whole game and ultimately allowed Perdo space to cross which led to Chelsea’s only goal. A wave after wave of attack kept coming from his side.

Vardy-Mahrez Magic

All eyes were on Vardy and Mahrez, two pillars of Leicester’s success this season and they didn’t disappoint. With Mahrez playing role in both the goals, Vardy was always a threat with his pace and running into those channels which gave him a goal, taking his tally of goals to 15 this season. Mahrez,on the other hand, scored his 10 goal of the BPL and provided 7 assist of this season.

Facts and Formation

Chelsea finished last season first and Leicester 14th. Now Ranieri’s Leicester is on top and Mourinho’s Blues are 14th. (after the defeat 16th)

Chelsea have 24 fewer points than at this stage of last season; Leicester have 25 more.

“At almost 70 years of age has won a Super Cup and another small cup. He is too old to change his mentality.” — Jose Mourinho on Ranieri, 2008.

Before tonight, Chelsea had won in each of their last 6 meetings with Leicester City.

Ranieri’s side as expected played with 4-4-2 with Vardy and Ulloa upfront. And Mou played the same team from CL against Porto with 4-2-3-1.

What to expect

From Leicester we can expect the same hard work, intensity and determination to win and ofcourse more goals from Mr. Vardy. Couple of consecutive wins and they are certain to finish in top 4.

Chelsea is long been expected to bounce back but they’ve failed time and again. “Top 4 gone”says Mou, a mid-table finish is maximum they can get. Changes up front can be expected, Remy might be given a chance against Sunderland. Hazard’s injury could mean a change in tactics or formation for Mou to get the desperate 3 points against Sunderland.