Leicester City 2-1 Chelsea : Five Talking Points

Jamie Vardy and Riyadh Mahrez were on target again as Leicester City beat a listless Chelsea 2-1 at the King Power stadium to pile more misery on the defending champions, who now hover just one point above the relegation zone.In-form striker Jamie Vardy put the hosts ahead at the half hour mark with an easy finish, before his partner-in-crime Mahrez doubled the advantage with a brilliant shot into the roof of the net early in the second half. The Blues, who were wasteful in front of the goal for most of the game, managed to halve the deficit through Loic Remy’s header, but couldn’t find the equaliser for all their efforts going forward.Leicester eventually held on and moved back to the summit of the standings, whereas Chelsea were left to rue their 9th defeat in 16 games in what has been a cataclysmic Premier League season.Here are some of the talking points from the drizzly night in East Midlands.

#1 Chelsea pay the penalty for being profligate

Chelsea were wasteful in front of goal last night.

The Blues were abject on the night, but did manage to create a handful of chances which if converted, would have given a different reading to the scoreline altogether. Whilst the drizzling showers made life all the more difficult for both sides as they struggled to knit passes together, Chelsea still had the better chances going forward, but failed to take them.

One particular moment in the first half when Chelsea were 1-0 down, Nemanja Matic had a good chance to level the proceedings from close range, but wasn’t clinical enough and could only hit the crossbar. After the break when the visitors went 2-0 down, Branislav Ivanovic had another gilt-edged opportunity to reduce the deficit with a simple tap-in from a corner but ended up pulling it back instead.

The likes of Pedro and Diego Costa too wasted a few opportunities which they would certainly have converted last season.

The game was very much winnable for the holders but eventually paid the penalty for being too profligate.

#2 Vardy and Mahrez weave their magic

Jamie Vardy is currently the top scorer of the division with 15 goals.

And the fairytale run continues. Leicester City’s jewels Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have been the pivotal reasons for the Foxes’ excellent run in the Premier League this season, and weaved their magic yet again as they took their combined goal tally for the term to 26, eight more than what entire Chelsea side have managed so far.

It wasn’t surprising to see the biggest threat of the home side stemming through the prolific duo, who weaved the silk strings of attacking play and put Chelsea to the sword with their constant run-ins. The two combined for the opener, with Mahrez laying a lofting pass for an on-rushing Vardy, who just stuck his foot out to tap the ball home.

The goal was his 15^th of the season, two more than anyone else in the league, and it wasn’t long before the Algerian joined the act too. Bamboozling Matic with some nimble footwork, Mahrez unleashed a thundering effort into the top corner beyond Thibaut Cortois just minutes after the break.

Leicester City had Vardy and Mahrez to thank once again, and can actually help the club lift the trophy, if they continue in the same vein till the very end.

#3 Fabregas may not find many chances coming his way

Fabregas has been woefully out of form this season.

This time last year, Chelsea fans were singing praises of Cesc Fabregas, who arrived at Stamford Bridge from Barcelona, and laid assists after assists. He was highly instrumental for that Chelsea side as they romped to the Premier League title.

Fast forward your calendar by 365 days, and today, the same faithfuls are calling for his head.

The Spaniard has cut a marginal figure, like many others but more so, and has had little to no impact in the attacking third. Mourinho opted to field the same line-up that started against Porto in the Champions League 4 days earlier, meaning Fabregas was left on the bench again. But even upon his introduction, it hardly made any difference.

There has been a general consensus surrounding the Spaniard’s play that he is optimal only when the team is in good shape and functioning well around him, and to go by his performances this season, it’s actually turning out to be true.

Mourinho is losing faith in him, who was one of his most trusted henchman last season, and may not find too many chances coming his way if things don’t get better.

#4 How much longer can Mourinho last ?

Pressure on the Portuguese keeps mounting as Chelsea were condemned to a ninth defeat in 16 games

With nine defeats from opening 16 games, Chelsea have acrrued a paltry 15 points and sit just a point above the bottom three. The club has certainly reached an all-time nadir and there’s nothing that head honcho Jose Mourinho could do to halt the slide till now. So how much longer can he hang on ?

While the fact that the maverick Portuguese manager stayed this long is itself a testament to how much faith Abramovich has pinned on him, but results like these are like a stab in the back. A complete betrayal of that trust.

With Premier League title defense long vaporised into thin air, the Blues may find it hard to even finish into the top four when May comes around, which is the least that is targeted by the former Real Madrid boss. But the way things are panning out for him and the club, even that looks highly unlikely now.

The sword of Damocles has been dangerously hanging over his head, but it's about time when Abramovich finally cuts it’s thread.

#5 Leicester are genuine title contenders

Leicester have been constantly punching above their weight this season

Leicester City spent most of last season plodding the relegation zone, before a late rally ensured their stay in the top flight. But this season, the Foxes are in a different stratosphere altogether, giving the usual title suspects a run for their money with their exceptional run in the Premier League.

Although their early season form could have been chalked-off for being one off, but not anymore. Leicester have emerged to be genuine contenders for the league crown, and on current form, there’s no one who can hold a candle to them.

Chelsea have been written off long ago, whereas Arsenal and Manchester City have been in and out of form. Manchester United are still struggling under Van Gaal, whereas Liverpool are in a state of transition under Klopp. All this points to one, clear favourite for becoming the kings of England – Leicester City.

Their time of reckoning is here, and although there are still 26 matchdays to go before the season finale, the Foxes have truly laid down the gauntlet to the mightier outfits of the division.