Chelsea 3-0 Leicester City: Chelsea Rampant Against The Champions
Chelsea gave Antonio Conte a thumping win as Diego Costa and Eden Hazard inspired a 3-0 win against spluttering champions Leicester.
Leicester City has sustained three-goal defeats before each of its games in the Champions League group stage this season. They lost 4-1 to both Liverpool and Manchester United.
Conte came out tactically on top against his Italian compatriot Ranieri.
Chelsea:Finding A Winning Formation
Chelsea dismantled the reigning champions. And, it was all too easy. Chelsea dominated the visitors for much of the first half and scoring two goals. Conte’s new 3-4-3 formation – introduced in a 2-0 win at Hull, was a success against the champions.
The Blues, sporting a back three started brightly. They set about controlling possession. David Luiz thrived as the sweeper and wing-backs Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso were effective in attack. The front three moved and combined well with midfielders. Chelsea’s back-three were deployed extra-deep, refusing to allow Vardy or Musa the chance to work the space behind them.
Although Conte was using Luiz as one of three central defenders, Leicester were so poor that the Brazilian was able to contribute most often in attack. David Luiz came within inches of scoring from a free-kick as he rattled the post.
However, much of Chelsea’s success came courtesy of their wing-backs. Marcos Alonso and Moses both kept on winning the ball and whipping dangerous crosses.
Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kante dominated the midfield. Chelsea rejoiced in Kanté’s busy presence, his every touch booed by the travelling support. The Frenchman was denied his first goal for his new club by Morgan’s desperate block.
The Blues scoring their third goal in the second half killed the game. Moses played a sumptuous one-two with substitute Nathaniel Chalobah before passing the ball through Schmeichel.
Both goalscorers, Costa and Hazard, celebrated by paying tribute to Willian, who is on compassionate leave following the death of his mother.
Chelsea move to fifth, and are looking good once again. They next host Manchester United. This match served as excellent preparation for their match with United in their next outing.
Leicester City: Poor Away Form
It was a fourth loss in eight league games in a poor start to its title defense by Leicester, which was beaten only three times in the whole of last season. They have made a dismal defense of the title so far and are the first reigning English champions to lose their opening four away games since Blackburn in 1995-96.
Having vowed to rotate the team more often, leaving Riyad Mahrez, Islam Slimani and Danny Simpson on the bench ahead of Champions League cost them.
Leicester now possess the worst defensive record away from home in the league. The Foxes were robust last season, but have now conceded a league-high five goals from corners this term.
Poor defending from a corner was Leicester’s downfall again as Nemanja Matic was given space to back-heel the cross and the Foxes captain reacted too slowly. Costa was left unmarked to finish clinically at the far post.
Lacking the relentless tempo that carried them to the title, Leicester were bereft of any menace. Chelsea punished them with a second goal in the 33rd minute. Chelsea took advantage of woeful defending as Matic’s pass drew panic and mistimed attempts to clear. Pedro poked a pass to Hazard, who scampered clear as the ball bounced fortuitously and slotting into the unguarded net.
Toward the end of the first half, Leicester were slowly able to push forward. The Foxes continued to build some possession after the restart. However, they could not breach a resolute Chelsea defense.
What was such a tight unit last term, it has showing signs of fracturing, with self-doubt creeping in. The closest Leicester came to scoring was Luiz’s stretch to intercept Marc Albrighton’s centre, with the ball cannoning from the woodwork.
At present, their title defense is feeling forlorn. Claudio Ranieri’s men ended the day on thirteenth position with wight points from eight games. Unless they improve soon, a relegation battle could loom for the defending Champions.
Man of the match – N’Golo Kante (Chelsea)
Picture Courtesy: BBC, DailyMail