Chelsea produced a rare masterclass in finishing to secure a 3-1 victory away at Leicester, building a three-game winning run for the first time since October in the process.
Ben Chilwell’s stunning 11th-minute first-time volley opened the scoring, while Kai Havertz’s dinked finish at the end of the first half followed Patson Daka’s well-struck equaliser.
Mateo Kovacic rounded off the victory with an acrobatic volley in the 78th minute.
Nizaar Kinsella was at the King Power Stadium watching on as Chelsea’s players continued to lift the pressure on Potter...
Kepa Arrizabalaga - 6
Made several saves in a busy first-half with James Maddison and Kelechi Iheanacho among those forcing saves. The Daka goal squeezed in at his near post but he was unsighted by Kalidou Koulibaly. He flapped at a cross in the second half that could have led to an equaliser for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Wesley Fofana - 6
His every touch was booed at the King Power Stadium but he was completely unaffected. The home support’s no1 hate figure was assured as ever. Had a header saved, in a similar effort to his goal against Leeds.
Kalidou Koulibaly - 6
Defended well in the middle of the three but, uncharacteristically, he was involved with a stunning assist. His swivel and cross to the far post was met by Chilwell’s left foot for the first goal. Arguably could have closed down Daka’s shot better.
Marc Cucurella - 7
Solid on the left side of defence in partnership with Chilwell who was impactful at both ends of the pitch. He did a job on Iheanacho, who likes to build the attacks.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 5
A little sloppy defensively in an awkward wing-back position. He look at times like someone being asked to do a job rather than being entirely comfortable. However, he was a good outlet on the counterattack.
Enzo Fernandez - 8
It began as a typically unremarkable controlling and deep midfield performance, that is until Leicester gave him space outside the box. The £107million British transfer record found Kai Havertz’s run with a brilliant scooped pass that had margin for error.
Mateo Kovacic - 8
His stunning volley secured all three points after Mudryk’s knockdown. The stand-in captain’s front-footed midfield pressing led to a Kai Havertz shot that was blocked, helping build attacks and stop counter-attacks.
Ben Chilwell - 9
Exceptional against his former club, scoring a stunning first-time volley and clearing a shot off the line early in the second half. It looked like he enjoyed facing his former club, invoking a Jamie Vardy-esque provocative goal celebration in response to being booed.
Kai Havertz - 9
A beautiful first-time clipped volley just before half time gave Chelsea a crucial lead. The Germany international followed up his sensational display against Dortmund last time out. Almost got a third with a good header from a corner. His good run in-behind was part of a counter-attack that led to Kovacic’s goal and killed the game.
Mykhailo Mudryk - 6
Interestingly, played down the middle in the front three as a false 9. The Ukrainian looked off the pace and had little impact on the game. He did, however, nicely finish a chance that was ruled out for offside, before getting a late assist.
Joao Felix - 5
Dangerous in the attack early on, hitting the post and scoring an offside goal. Neither the miss nor the run were particularly his fault and margins that could have gone in his favour. However, terrible play near his own box led to Daka’s equaliser, it led to him being taken off at half-time.
Substitutes
Conor Gallagher - 7
Potter has used Gallagher as his go-to option when holding a lead. His high energy-style displays have been useful in tight wins and, once again, he delivered his specific brand of football.
Christian Pulisic - 6
Added energy to the team in his late minutes as he builds fitness after his two-month absence through injury.
Trevoh Chalobah - N/A
Carney Chukwuemeka - N/A
Benoit Badiashile - N/A
Unused subs: Bettinelli; Zakaria; Madueke, Ziyech.
