Cole Palmer’s missed penalty did not prove to be decisive as Chelsea eventually got the better of threatened Leicester City in a rather dull Premier League encounter. The incentive for Enzo Maresca’s side ahead of the game at Stamford Bridge was victory would take them two points clear of Manchester City in fourth.
The Blues were far from their best but Marc Cucurella’s goal on the hour mark was worth the wait as he found the bottom corner with a stunning striker. In more good news, Wesley Fofana came through the unscathed and Moises Caicedo avoided a booking today which means he is free to face Arsenal next weekend.
As for Leicester, they remain second from bottom, six points from safety and have now lost their last five games in a row without scoring. Follow the game back below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis from Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge!
Chelsea vs Leicester latest news
GOAL! Cucurella breaks the deadlock on the hour PENALTY MISSED: Palmer has spot-kick saved How to watch: Not in TV in the UKLive updates
Chelsea secure vital win
Chelsea are back into the top-four in the Premier League table following a 1-0 win over Leicester.
The Blues weren’t quite at their best at Stamford Bridge and needed a fine strike from Marc Cucurella to finally find a way past Mads Hermansen after the Foxes goalkeeper had saved a penalty from Cole Palmer.
With Manchester City losing to Nottingham Forest earlier in the weekend, coupled with Brighton’s last-gasp win over Fulham, the race for Champions League qualification is really heating up.
Read our full match report here!
AFP via Getty ImagesStandard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Stamford Bridge
Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia has delivered his reaction to Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Leicester
Chelsea player ratings
Tosin Adarabioyo 6
Got away with one bizarre moment when skewing header onto his own crossbar.
Levi Colwill 7
Terrific, brave clearance denied Jamie Vardy an open goal on rebound from Tosin header.
Marc Cucurella 8
Given licence to play high on the left and always a threat with runs to the back post. Then continued his recent happy knack of scoring with what could be a vital goal in top-four race.
Click here for our Chelsea player ratings!
Chelsea FC via Getty ImagesFull-time
Chelsea 1-0 Leicester
Marc Cucurella with the only goal of the game as Chelsea earn vital win.
Reaction to follow!
Chelsea 1-0 Leicester
90+4 min: Ricardo pulls the ball back into a dangerous area but Buonanotte can’t get there.
Leicester lose possession and George races up the pitch to win a corner. Would imagine Chelsea will take their time over this.
Chelsea 1-0 Leicester
90+2 min: PENALTY?
No! Leicester and Ruud van Nistelrooy want a penalty for a handball against Cucurella but nothing is given.
Chelsea 1-0 Leicester
89 min: Buonanotte delays on the ball and is superbly dispossessed by Caicedo.
SIX minutes of injury time to be played!
Chelsea 1-0 Leicester
88 min: Late Chelsea change sees Acheampong replace Nkunku.
Chelsea 1-0 Leicester
85 min: Nearly a dream return to action for Ricardo but his effort is straight down Sanchez’s throat.
Chelsea 1-0 Leicester
83 min: Leicester are really going for it now, Mavididi, Pereira and De Cordova-Reid all thrown on.
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