Tuesday, December 24, 2024

🔴 PL LIVE: Chelsea survive late Leicester City goal in first of 7 games

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Seven Premier League games take place on Sunday as domestic football returns after the November international break.

Here’s how it’s all unfolding.


Chelsea ahead against Leicester City

Scorers: Ayew 90+5 [pen] ;Jackson 15′, Fernandez 75′

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca takes his new side to the King Power Stadium in the early kick off.

The visitors dominated the early possession as they probed Leicester’s low block for an opening, with João Félix and Noni Madueke looking bright in the early stages.

The Foxes were handed an early blow after just 10 minutes when Harry Winks was forced off through injury, with fellow ex-Spurs man Oliver Skipp replacing him.

Five minutes later they were behind, as Nicolas Jackson enjoyed some smart interplay with Enzo Fernandez before flicking the ball past Mads Hermansen with the outside of his foot.

Chelsea remained well on top, with Madueke testing the Leicester goalkeeper with a low effort as the Foxes threatened to lose their discipline, with all three midfielders finding themselves in the book inside 31 minutes.

The Blues had the ball in the back of the net 15 minutes before the break as Madueke swept home, only for the offside flag to cut short their celebrations.

Leicester were looking to hit the Blues on the break and almost succeeded as Casey McAteer fired narrowly wide, before Wilfried Ndidi squandered another good chance from 14 yards out.

At the other end, a quick Chelsea counter attack from an awful Leicester free-kick saw Madueke fire wide as they headed into the break a goal to the good.

Leicester came out brightly in the second half, but Chelsea wasted a glorious chance to double their advantage when Palmer seemed certain to score, only to see his effort from two yards out his Madueke on the line and ricochet clear.

It was a more even game as the tie wore on though, with the Blues unable to find the second goal to kill off the game and Leicester growing in confidence.

But 15 minutes from time the second goal finally arrived, as Hermansen could only push Nicolas Jackson’s header as far as Enzo Fernandez, who turned home from five yards out.

Leicester City felt that they should have had a penalty five minutes from time when Wesley Fofana brought down Stephy Mavididi inside the Chelsea penalty area, but VAR chose not to overrule the referee.

In stoppage time, they did finally get a penalty after Romeo Lavia stood on Bobby DeCordova Reid, and Jordan Ayew converted to pull the deficit back to just one goal.

However, it proved too little too late for the Foxes, and Chelsea held on for what proved a difficult three points at the King Power Stadium.

Still to come….


Arsenal take on Nottingham Forest

Mikel Arteta’s side look to close the gap at the top as they meet high-flying Nottingham Forest in north London.


South coast derby as Brighton visit Bournemouth

Andone Iraola’s side welcome the Seagulls to the Vitality Stadium.


Aston Villa host Crystal Palace

Unai Emery’s impressive Aston Villa take on struggling Crystal Palace at Villa Park.


Brentford travel to Everton

The Toffees are looking to kickstart their season after just one win in their last five.


High-flying Fulham face struggling Wolves

Gary O’Neil’s side are looking for a second successive win as they travel to Craven Cottage.


Manchester City host Tottenham

In the late kick off, injury hit Manchester City host Tottenham, who are themselves without several key players.


📸 JUSTIN TALLIS – AFP or licensors

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