Chelsea win crucial top-four clash
Chelsea gained revenge over Leicester and took a major step towards Champions League qualification after they won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
A top-four place is now in Chelsea’s hands but Leicester are now facing missing out on the top-four on the final day for the second successive season.
The match
Thomas Tuchel’s side were fired up for the occasion after they lost the FA Cup final on Saturday 1-0 and dominated the first half without scoring.
In front of a raucous crowd for the first time this year, Chelsea played at a ferocious intensity that Leicester couldn’t match.
Timo Werner had two goals ruled out in the first half, one for offside and another for handball.
But two minutes into the second half, Chelsea eventually got their goal and it was richly deserved. A Ben Chilwell corner was inadvertently flicked on by Jamie Vardy and Antonio Rudiger bundled the ball home from close range.
VAR had cruelly disallowed a late Chelsea goal in the final, as well as a Werner goal in the first half, but it was on the right side of the hosts this time as a penalty was given for a needless foul by Wesley Fofana on Werner.
Jorginho dispatched the penalty with swagger and Chelsea were easing to a win.
However, Leicester were given hope when substitute Kelechi Iheanacho slotted home after Wilfried Ndidi dispossessed Mateo Kovacic.
They did have the opportunity of snatching a point but Ayoze Perez blazed over in the 90th minute.
What does it mean?
Chelsea need just a win against Aston Villa on the final day to seal a top-four place.
Leicester’s fate isn’t in their own hands. They need Liverpool to drop points against either Burnley or Crystal Palace, or to beat Spurs by at least three goals.
Featured image: Jorginho of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal from the penalty spot with team mates during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Leave a Reply