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Player Ratings: Leicester City 1-3 Chelsea | Premier League

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(Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)

Chelsea completed a comprehensive victory against Leicester on Saturday afternoon by three goals to one, sealing a third straight win for Graham Potter’s side.

First half strikes from Ben Chilwell and Kai Havertz were sandwiched by a Patson Daka thunderbolt, before Mateo Kovacic sealed a deserved victory for the Blues at the King Power Stadium in the Premier League.

It was a fairly even start to the game on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Leicester, yet Chelsea found themselves ahead early on, through former fox Ben Chilwell.

Chilwell’s initial corner was cleared by Leicester, but Kalidou Koulibaly did well to keep the ball alive, with his looping cross into the box met first time on the volley by Chilwell. Chilwell’s fantastic volley caught Danny Ward in the Leicester goal by surprise, sneaking past him at the near post, allowing the visitors to take an early lead.

Leicester should have equalised moments later, after James Maddison’s sumptuous free kick beat Kepa Arrizabalaga, before meeting the head of Daniel Amartey, who inexplicably directed his header wide from a yard out.

Joao Felix then had a dinked effort bounce off the post after he was played in behind by Kai Havertz, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall matching his attempt, deflecting an effort off Kepa’s crossbar.

Joao Felix thought he had doubled the Blues lead, tapping in a free flowing team move before VAR ruled it out for Felix being slightly ahead of the ball when it was played across to him by Ruben-Loftus Cheek.

It went from bad to worse for Felix soon after, as he was caught dallying on the ball by Patson Daka who then proceeded to smash a piledriving effort past Kepa at the near post to level for the hosts.

Leicester had their tails up after the equaliser, forcing two strong stops out of Kepa via Maddison and Kelechi Iheanacho, before Chelsea regained the lead right before the break.

Enzo Fernandez chipped ball into the box was met by Havertz, who elegantly lobbed over Ward to give his side the lead at the break, ending a pulsating first period.

Chelsea continued in the ascendency after the break with Wesley Fofana forcing a good save from Ward following a set-piece.

Leicester fought back in search of an equaliser, with some last ditch defending from the Blues keeping the foxes out. Conor Gallagher cleared off the line from Harry Souttar’s double attempt before Dewsbury-Hall should have equalised for the hosts, scuffing his effort from close range with the goal gaping.

Chelsea added a third goal courtesy of a rare strike from their captain Mateo Kovacic. Fernandez set Havertz away down the right, who’s cross was cushioned by Mykhailo Mudryk into the path of Kovacic who slammed the ball past Ward, to seal a deserved win for Blues.

Things got even worse for Leicester, with Wout Faes sent off for a second bookable offence for a poor challenge on Carney Chukwuemeka, to leave a sour taste for the Foxes.

Here is how Absolute Chelsea rated the players’ performances at the King Power Stadium.


Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6.5/10

A solid performance, albeit some shaky moments, from Kepa, who has looked more assured in recent weeks. Kepa made some vital saves from Iheanacho and Maddison in the wake of Leicester’s equaliser to keep his side in the game, which were highly valuable at that point in the game. Kepa will be disappointed to be beaten at his near post by Daka, although it was a bullet of a strike.

Wesley Fofana – 6.5/10 (85)

A good performance from Fofana against his former side. Fofana had to deal with a lot of stick being thrown at him from the home support, and the young Frenchman handled it well. Fofana was booked early in the game, but he didn’t let this affect him, putting in a composed performance.

Kalidou Koulibaly – 7/10

Koulibaly has grown in stature in recent weeks for the Blues, and he put in another solid performance at Leicester. In the absence of Thiago Silva, Koulibaly has really stepped up and he marshalled his defence expertly again today. Rarely looked flustered in what was a breathless affair at times.

Marc Cucurella – 6.5/10

Cucurella kept his place after a Man of the Match display against Borussia Dortmund in midweek, and put in another good performance. Cucurella was aggressive in the tackle, and fought hard for his side in what was a full blooded game at times. Praise must go to Graham Potter for protecting Cucurella in recent weeks, as he now looks a far more assured and confident player.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6.5/10 (73)

Solid performance from Loftus-Cheek, who was filling in for an ill Reece James at wing back. Loftus-Cheek worked hard down the right and was efficient in both defence and attack for his side. Loftus-Cheek can consider himself unlucky not to have an assist after Joao Felix was unable to get himself onside for a tap-in from his composed pass.

Enzo Fernandez – 7/10

Another positive display by Fernandez who is growing in stature in a Chelsea shirt. In what was a cagey affair Fernandez was always going to struggle to control proceedings, but he showed good character to throw himself into the fight, putting in important tackles for his side and taking a few bumps in the process. Fernandez was able to show his quality at certain points, including his brilliant chipped assist for Havertz, showing he has the priceless ability to unlock defences for his team.

Mateo Kovacic – 8/10

An all action display from Chelsea’s captain on the day, who is slowly building some form following his return from injury. Kovacic was his usually busy self in the middle of the park, winning tackles and playing neat passes all over the pitch. Kovacic was able to cap his all round display with a rare goal, which was well taken on the volley, showcasing his underrated technical abilities.

Ben Chilwell – 8/10 (73)

A strong display from Chilwell who is excelling in a wing back role presently. Chilwell has provided some much needed attacking threat for his team since his return from injury, courtesy of his set-piece deliveries and well timed runs in behind. Chilwell displayed his goal scoring ability too, striking a fantastic first time volley past Ward to give his side the lead. A very happy return to the King Power for the former Leicester man.

Joao Felix – 6/10 (45)

A nearly performance from Joao Felix. Felix was dangerous throughout, with his movement and obvious technical qualities causing Leicester plenty of issues, yet he was unable to find the goal or assist to match his talent. Felix was unlucky to see his dinked effort hit the post, and the same can be said for his disallowed goal, although he will be disappointed he was unable to get himself onside for Loftus-Cheek’s cutback. At fault for the equaliser after being dispossessed cheaply in his own half, a lapse in judgement that he will have to learn costs you in the Premier League. Subbed at the break after picking up an early knock.

Mykhailo Mudryk – 7/10 (82)

A good performance from Mudryk, his best in a Chelsea shirt to date. Mudryk looked dangerous every time he picked up the ball, and was able to showcase his quality more often than has been the case in recent weeks. Mudryk started a wonderful move for Joao Felix’s disallowed strike, and set up Kovacic’s strike with a nicely timed cushioned header. Unlucky not to grab a goal, as he was offside for his composed effort. Mudryk will want to build on this promising display in the coming weeks.

Kai Havertz – 8/10

After a fantastic display in the week, Havertz continued with his good form, leading the line well against Leicester. Havertz pressed well and fought hard against Leicester’s centre-backs in what was a physical game. Havertz showed guts and composure to pick himself up after a brutal chest high challenge from Daniel Amartey to brilliantly lob Danny Ward to regain the lead for his side before the interval.


Bench

Conor Gallagher – 6.5/10 (45)

A good performance from Gallagher, who has earmarked the role of first reserve in recent weeks. Gallagher put in a vital block to stop Souttar to equalise for the hosts, and was dangerous in attack too, usually in the middle of Chelsea’s promising breaks. An all action display from the Englishman.

Christian Pulisic – N/A (73)

Trevoh Chalobah – 6/10 (73)

Helped his side see out the game comfortably, by limiting Leicester’s attacks with his fresh legs.

Carney Chukwuemeka – N/A (83)

Benoit Badiashile – N/A (85)

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