5 Things Learned: Leicester City 1-3 Chelsea | Premier League

Graham Potter’s Chelsea finished off a perfect week with a 3-1 win over Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

They sealed a third win in a row in all competitions to lift the mood even more after confidence-boosting wins over Leeds United and Borussia Dortmund.

Chelsea would have counted themselves unfortunate to not have a man advantage after two minutes. Ricardo Pereira escaped a red card, let alone a booking, for a late, nasty challenge on Joao Felix.

But it didn’t stop the Blues from pressing on and they got the opener through former Leicester defender Ben Chilwell, who volleyed home at the near post from Kalidou Koulibaly’s high cross.

Both sides hit the woodwork in the first half. Joao Felix’s dink came back off the post, before Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall smashed the crossbar from distance.

Felix thought he doubled Chelsea’s lead in the 34th minute, but his close range finish was ruled out for offside.

Patson Daka struck from distance in the 39th minute to level the game up, but Chelsea managed to restore their advantage six minutes into first half stoppage time as Kai Havertz lifted over Enzo Fernandez‘s exquisite lobbed ball into the box to net his sixth Premier League goal of the season.

Mateo Kovacic ensured Chelsea won their third game in a row in all competitions by firing a volley past Ward from close range with 12 minutes to play.

Leicester were reduced to 10 men in the closing stages when Wout Faes was shown a second yellow card for a late foul on substitute Carney Chukwuemeka.

Here are five things Absolute Chelsea learned from Saturday’s win in the Midlands.

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1) The winning run and momentum continues

After a dismal run of results, it’s been a stellar and redeeming week for Chelsea. Big results against Leeds United and Borussia Dortmund were wanted to be followed up against the Foxes, and Chelsea did just that.

Graham Potter‘s desire to back up the two huge wins with another to make it three in a row in all competitions came true, easing the pressure even more on the 47-year-old and his squad.

Confidence is starting to build at Chelsea, rightly so, and another win will only continue the good feeling heading into the home league encounter versus Everton next week.

2) Ending the Premier League away win drought

Chelsea’s last win on the road in the Premier League prior to Saturday’s clash was back on October 16 when they beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Villa Park. Potter’s side were constantly denied away from home, with many draws including at Nottingham Forest and West Ham.

But Chelsea got over their away win drought just about with the win at the King Power which should give them even more confidence as they completely restore the winning run at home in the Premier League, in the Champions League and now away from home in the Premier League.

3) Ben Chilwell comes back to haunt the Foxes

The 23-year-old was booed as his name was read out ahead of the game after his 2020 transfer to Chelsea, which left Leicester fans frustrated at his £50 million switch. Chilwell had the next laugh on his return to the Midlands after scoring the game’s opener after 11 minutes.

Chilwell volleyed home Kalidou Koulibaly’s lofted cross past Danny Ward at the back post to beat the Leicester goalkeeper, before cupping his hands to his ears in front of the home crowd. A perfect celebration for the England international.

4) Joao Felix can’t catch a break in front of goal

The 23-year-old has only scored one goal since joining Chelsea on loan in January. That came against West Ham last month in the 1-1 draw at the London Stadium. Felix has been unfortunate in recent weeks, with the attacker being denied by the post and woodwork on several occasions.

His frustrations continued at the King Power Stadium after his 45 minute cameo. Felix thought he doubled their lead prior to Leicester’s equaliser as he took down Havertz’s ball brilliantly, but his dinked effort came back off the post.

Then in the 34th minute, Felix thought his drought was over. He slotted home from close range to finish off a well-worked move, but the flag was there to deny him once again. He was taken off at half-time for Conor Gallagher, so his wait for another goal continues with just one game left to play in March.

5) Chelsea on the receiving end of poor officiating

Andre Marriner was the man in charge of proceedings in the Midlands. After just two minutes, Ricardo Pereira escaped a booking after a very nasty challenge on Joao Felix. Then in first half stoppage time, Daniel Amartey also avoided a yellow card despite a strong follow through on Kai Havertz. Neither calls were severely looked at by VAR, highlighting the poor officiating in the top-flight once again.

One call that was correct was Joao Felix’s close-range finish in the 34th minute getting ruled out for offside. As was the decision to show Wout Faes a second yellow card in the closing stages to reduce the hosts to 10.