LONDON (AFP) - Chelsea suffered their first home defeat since April as Jamie Vardy fired Leicester to a shock 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (Dec 22).
Maurizio Sarri's side paid the price for failing to convert their chances when Vardy netted early in the second half to hand the Blues their first defeat in five games.
Chelsea's disjointed display surrendered an 18-match unbeaten run at the Bridge dating back to Tottenham's victory in April.
Sarri has insisted he does not expect Chelsea to challenge for the title this season, the Italian rating Liverpool and Manchester City as "two steps ahead" of the Blues.
This was further evidence to support Sarri's concerns, with Chelsea left trailing 11 points behind leaders Liverpool.
Chelsea remain in fourth place in the Premier League, but they are now above fifth-placed Arsenal only on goal difference, leaving them facing a tense bid to qualify for the Champions League in the second half of the season.
Leicester's first win at Chelsea since September 2000 was well-timed for Foxes boss Claude Puel, who has endured recent reports he could be sacked just 14 months after he arrived from Southampton.
Chelsea almost took the lead in bizarre fashion after just two minutes when David Luiz launched a long ball towards Willian.
Luiz's pass bounced on the edge of the Leicester area, prompting Foxes keeper Kasper Schmeichel to rush off his line, but when neither he or Willian could make contact, the ball bounced just wide of the empty net.
Pedro was inches away from putting Chelsea in front when he met Willian's corner with a glancing header that flashed wide as Luiz stretched in vain to turn it in.
But despite their territorial dominance, Chelsea's passing and movement wasn't precise or fast enough to prise Leicester open.
THUNDEROUS
Significantly, Hazard was again deployed up front as Sarri continued with the experiment of using the Belgian playmaker as a 'false nine'.
Hazard has been less than effusive in his thoughts about the role so far, dropping hints that he would prefer to return to his usual wide position.
He remains by far Chelsea's most dangerous player wherever he lines up, but there is little doubt his best performances come on the flanks.
Hazard had been the midweek League Cup match-winner against Bournemouth and he should have bagged his 100th Chelsea goal after pouncing on a slip from Leicester's Harry Maguire for a fierce close-range shot that cannoned off the bar.
It was a crucial moment.
Ndidi's thunderous long-range drive forced Kepa Arrizabalaga to make a fine save before Jorginho produced a powerful effort of his own that Schmeichel punched away.
Not for the first time this season, Chelsea's miscues in attack proved fatal.
Showing the cutting edge that Sarri's team lacked, Leicester punished a moment's loss of concentration to snatch the lead in the 51st minute.
James Maddison slipped a perfect pass to Vardy, who escaped Cesar Azpilicueta before burying a cool finish past Kepa for his sixth goal of the season.
It was the first time Chelsea had conceded a goal at home in six matches and inevitably they turned to Hazard for inspiration.
Beating Leicester's offside trap, Hazard cut in from the left for a stinging strike that Schmeichel blocked at his near post.
Sarri responded by sending on Olivier Giroud and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, allowing Hazard to return to the left wing.
But Leicester were defending superbly and Chelsea's luck was out in stoppage-time when Marcos Alonso's shot hit a post and rolled along the goalline to safety.
ANTONIO CONTE has been appointed as the new Inter Milan boss. The former Chelsea manager replaces Luciano Spalletti after he was axed on Thursday despite delivering Champions League football with
Antonio Conte - Wikipedia
Home Sport Football Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga dropped as Chelsea beat Tottenham Goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga dropped as Chelsea beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0. By. News Agency of Nigeria
Football: Arrizabalaga dropped as Chelsea beat Tottenham 2-0
Manchester United Sack Jose Mourinho, Caretaker Manager to be Appointed Manchester United have sacked manager Jose Mourinho after the club made their worst start to a season in almost 30 years, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday.
Jose Mourinho: Manchester United sack manager - BBC Sport
Paris: Japan failed to break down a determined and well-organised Argentine defence in Paris on Monday in the first goalless draw of the women's World Cup. Japan, finalists in 2015 and winners in 2011, enjoyed almost two thirds of possession, but only forced two saves from goalkeeper Vanina Correa.
Dogged Argentina hold Japan to goalless draw - Soccer
With the Asian Cup featuring a record 24 teams, the 36-game group stage finished with holders Australia facing a last-16 clash with Uzbekistan, while Qatar will play Iraq and Japan face the Saudis. Shiotani's rocket ensured Japan finished with a perfect nine points at the top of Group F as they beat Uzbekistan 2-1, despite changing 10 players
2019 Asian Cup: Tsukasa Shiotani fires Japan past Uzbeks
90min Videos Marcus Rashford In The Form Of His Life! English (US) · Español · Português (Brasil) · Français (France) · Deutsch.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Marcus Rashford is in the form of his life
thepeoplesperson.com/2019/01/21/ole-gunnar-solskjaer-marcus-rashford-is-in-the-form-of-his-life-205375/
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in awe of Marcus Rashford's talent following his match-winning performance vs Brighton. Paul Pogba opened the scoring through a penalty he won but
Marcus Rashford Bio, Age, Height, Career, Personal Life, Net
Now we know hat division we are in lets do the annual see who we would keep. A few assumptions. 1) AL has no significiant funds. 2) Loanees like Daniel Iversen we are unlikely to be able to afford, and probably wouldnt re-sign for us, but the sign or release is based on performance not likelihood
Keep up Synonyms, Keep up Antonyms | Thesaurus.com
Jurgen Klopp has vowed that Liverpool will remain positive as they battle for the Premier League title despite a wobble that has enabled Manchester City to seize the initiative. Liverpool's destiny is no longer in their own hands after a goalless draw in Sunday's Merseyside derby allowed Pep Guardiola's City to regain top spot with a one
Liverpool staying positive despite blip, says Klopp
Football: Kramaric nets late winner as Croatia beat Azerbaijan 2-1 ZAGREB (REUTERS) - Croatia were forced to dig deep as they came from behind to beat unfancied Azerbaijan 2-1 at home in their opening Euro 2020 Group E qualifier after forward Andrej Kramaric scored a 79th winner on Thursday (March 21).
Andrej Kramaric nets late winner as Croatia beat Azerbaijan 2
Sergio Aguero's penalty gave champions Manchester City a 1-0 win over West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday to stay a point behind Premier League leaders Liverpool. The decisive moment came in the 59th minute when Felipe Anderson was ruled to have brought down Bernardo Silva and Aguero coolly slotted home from the spot.
Man City 1-0 West Ham: Sergio Aguero scores penalty to seal
Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of Saturday's football action, with the likes of Chelsea, West Ham United and Newcastle United all in action.. There are five Premier
Liverpool: Goals from Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino earned Liverpool a 2-0 win over Porto on Tuesday as Juergen Klopp's side took the upper hand in their Champions League quarter-final tie
Soccer: Keita and Firmino give Liverpool 2-0 win over Porto
PUTRI NUR SYALIZA News - Find latest News & top stories about PUTRI NUR SYALIZA. ST Young Star Award: Queensway Secondary's history-maker Putri Nur Syaliza keeps feet firmly on ground.
14-year-old Secondary 3 girl scores goal in S'pore women's football
Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho embarrassingly slipped after presenting a symbolic face-off to a match in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League on Monday. Videos of the 56-year-old
Mourinho humiliated by fall at Russian hockey league face-off
0 comments:
Post a Comment