Chelsea edge chaotic thriller with Leicester to maintain Maresca momentum

Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez scored in each half for Chelsea as manager Enzo Maresca made a winning return to Leicester with a slick 2-1 Premier League victory at the King Power Stadium.

Jackson produced a superb finish for the opener on 15 minutes, with Fernandez heading home the second on 75 minutes as the visitors closed to within a point of second-placed Manchester City in the table.

Jordan Ayew netted a penalty deep in added time for the home side after VAR deemed Bobby De Cordova-Reid to have been felled by Romeo Lavia.

But the scoreline flattered Leicester, who were outclassed by a dominant Chelsea side for large swathes of a one-sided contest.

It was another excellent away performance for Maresca, architect of Leicester’s Championship-winning campaign last season, before his team host Aston Villa next Sunday.

But Steve Cooper’s home side remain 15th in the table after 12 matches, only three points above Crystal Palace in the relegation zone.

The challenge by Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi on Cole Palmer midway through the first half was a shocker. Referee Andy Madley opted for a yellow card before VAR opted going against the original decision of the referee.

But replays showed the challenge was high and late on Palmer as the studs raked down the back of his opponent’s leg. Palmer was fortunate to escape serious injury. VAR certainly would not have overruled Madley if he had reached for a red.

Which left fans wondering why the match official was not encouraged to take a second look at the incident.

Summed up the outstanding attitude of the visitors with a tireless performance to support the excellent Jackson. The midfielder provided a timely lay-off for Jackson’s opener before arriving to head home a second goal that his work-rate and quality merited amid some horrid weather conditions.

Leicester: Hermansen 7, Justin 6, Faes 6, Okoli 6, Kristiansen 6, Winks 6, Soumare 6, Ndidi 6, McAteer 6, El Khannouss 6, Vardy 6 Subs: Skipp 6, DeCordova-Reid 6, Mavididi 6, Ayew 6, Daka 6

Chelsea: Sanchez 6, Fofana 6, Badiashile 7, Colwill 7, Cucurella 6, Caicedo 7, Fernandez 8, Madueke 7, Palmer 7, Joao Felix 7, Jackson 8 Subs: Lavia 6, Dewsbury-Hall 6, Sancho 6, Nkunku 6

11′ AN ENFORCED CHANGE FOR THE HOME SIDE Well, it doesn’t rain but it pours for Leicester in the rain as the injured Harry Winks is forced to depart the scene to be replaced by Oliver Skipp.

15′ GOAL! LEICESTER 0-1 CHELSEA (JACKSON) Superb finish with the volley into the corner of the net from Nicolas Jackson. Flicks it with the outside of his right boot. Fernandez with the assist. That goal was coming. His seventh of the campaign.

21′ A BOOKING FOR NDIDI! Wilfred Ndidi fortunate to escape a red card for an awful challenge on Palmer. Studs down the back of the leg. VAR took a look, but didn’t go for the upgrade. So lucky not to walk for that.

33′ VAR SAVES FOXES FROM SHIPPING A SECOND Noni Madueke with a superb finish as he arrived on the run to stroke the ball into the net, but Marc Cucurella had drifted just offside in supplying the cross. Good call from the linesman too. Phew! Relief for Leicester.

37′ LEICESTER’S BEST MOVE OF THE HALF Much, much more like it from Cooper’s men as Kasey McAteer scampers onto a pass from Skipp to clip a finish a yard wide of goal. Their best attacking move of the first half. Indeed, their only attacking move of the half.

41′ GLORIOUS CHANCE FOR FOXES TO LEVEL! Suddenly Leicester coming to life after being outplayed for large swathes of this first period. Wilfred Ndidi pokes wide of goal. Well wide from the Victor Kristiansen cutback in the end.

75′ GOAL! LEICESTER 0-2 CHELSEA (FERNANDEZ) Surely game, set and match. Mads Hermansen can only parry out the Jackson header from the Marc Cucurella cross and Enzo reacts well to nod home from close range. 2-0. That should be the three points.

90+3′ PENALTY TO LEICESTER! Bobby De Cordova-Reid goes down under pressure from Romeo Lavia. Offside call is overturned, and VAR says it is a late challenge. Pen to the Foxes.

90+4′ GOAL! (AYEW) LEICESTER 1-2 CHELSEA Jordan Ayew does just enough to beat Sanchez with the finish. Ball converted to the keeper’s right. Back to 2-1 with a minute or so left.