Goals from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez ensured Chelsea remained third in the Premier League as Enzo Maresca enjoyed a winning return to Leicester City.
Jackson’s sublime finish gave Chelsea an early lead which did not feel completely secure despite their dominance until Fernandez nodded in a rebound in the 75th minute to wrap up three points.
Chelsea were in complete control when Jackson fired his seventh of the season but Leicester grew into it and had chances to equalise before half time, with Kasey McAteer going close.
But Chelsea resumed their dominance after the break. Cole Palmer’s goal-bound shot was blocked by team-mate Noni Madueke in an extraordinary moment, but Fernandez made sure it did not cost them.
Jordan Ayew pulled one back from the penalty spot in added time, but it was too late for Leicester to mount the comeback. Follow live reaction from Leicester vs Chelsea in the Premier League below.
Leicester vs Chelsea LIVE: Latest Premier League updates
- FULL TIME! Chelsea remain third with away win at Leicester
- Enzo Maresca enjoys winning return to Leicester, who are now 17th
- 90+4 GOAL! Leicester pull one back late on as Jordan Ayew converts pen (LEI 1-2 CHE)
- 75’ GOAL! Enzo Fernandez nods in rebound to double Chelsea’s lead (LEI 0-2 CHE)
- 54’ BLOCK! Cole Palmer’s shot blocked by team-mate Madueke (LEI 0-1 CHE)
- HT! Chelsea lead but Leicester improve before the break (LEI 0-1 CHE)
- 34’ OFFSIDE! Noni Madueke turns in second but Cucurella offside (LEI 0-1 CHE)
- 15’ GOAL! Nicolas Jackson fires Chelsea ahead with sublime finish (LEI 0-1 CHE)
Leicester City FC 1 - 2 Chelsea FC
Nicolas Jackson has become the biggest beneficiary of Chelsea leaving behind last year’s awkward, awful mess
14:55 , Karl MatchettIn typically unconvincing fashion, Chelsea march on, thanks to the striker who is now, nestled nicely in Erling Haaland’s slipstream, perhaps the Premier League’s second-most effective marksman.
The social media ridicule in the end became a difficult watch. Glaring misses in big games - the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City a particularly profligate afternoon - saw Nicolas Jackson chastised by fans young and old, even his own, in a distasteful manner you only get from the brave souls sat behind their computer keyboards at home.
Only Haaland and another social media class clown, Darwin Nunez, missed more big chances than Jackson last season, leading to calls for the Senegal striker to be a makeweight for further incomings as Enzo Maresca’s shuffled his Chelsea pack in the summer transfer window.
Maresca, like several other more level-headed observers, was able to see the wood from the trees.
Report:
Jackson the biggest beneficiary of Chelsea leaving behind last year’s awful mess
FULL TIME! Leicester 1-2 Chelsea
14:35 , Jamie BraidwoodChelsea remain in third, three points ahead of Arsenal and the big group of teams below them. The Blues are just a point behind Manchester City now, with Pep Guardiola’s side facing Tottenham tonight.
Positive for Chelsea, not so much for Leicester. Steve Cooper’s side drop a place to 17th. They are without a win in four now and were outplayed for long spells today.
FULL TIME! Leicester 1-2 Chelsea
14:31 , Jamie BraidwoodThat’s it! Leicester run out of time and Enzo Maresca enjoys a winning return at the King Power.
There’s a concern for Chelsea, though, with Levi Colwill staying down after full-time.
Leicester 1-2 Chelsea
14:31 , Jamie Braidwood90+6 mins: Leicester get it back though and they will have one last chance to send it long.
Leicester 1-2 Chelsea
14:29 , Jamie Braidwood90+5 mins: Into the final seconds... and Chelsea have a corner with the chance to run the clock down further.
GOAL! Leicester 1-2 Chelsea (AYEW 90+4’)
14:28 , Jamie BraidwoodNot much time left but Leicester have one back! A short run up from Jordan Ayew and he puts it beyond Sanchez.
PENALTY! Leicester 0-2 Chelsea
14:27 , Jamie Braidwood90+3 mins: Given! It was a foul and Bobby Decordova-Reid was onside.
Leicester will have the chance to pull one back.
Leicester 0-2 Chelsea
14:26 , Jamie Braidwood90+2 mins: Bobby Decordova-Reid tumbles to the turf under the challenge of Romeo Lavia - but he’s given offside! It would have been a penalty, but the substitute looks on!
This could be given!
Leicester 0-2 Chelsea
14:24 , Jamie Braidwood90 mins: There will be five minutes added on. Nkunku fires over and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will replace Jackson to get some minutes against his former team.
Leicester 0-2 Chelsea
14:22 , Jamie Braidwood87 mins: That penalty decision has not been popular with the home fans, with several now making their way towards the exits at the King Power.
Leicester 0-2 Chelsea
14:18 , Jamie Braidwood83 mins: Leicester are appealing for a penalty as Mavididi chops inside and goes over the leg of Fofana in the box.
VAR have looked and are not giving it. Mavididi certainly made the most of it.
Leicester 0-2 Chelsea
14:14 , Jamie Braidwood81 mins: Two changes for Chelsea, with Nkunku and Romeo Lavia on for Felix and Caicedo, as Maresca looks to put the ice on this. Jadon Sancho will be on shortly too for Madueke.
Leicester 0-2 Chelsea
14:12 , Jamie Braidwood80 mins: Jamie Vardy is brought off as Leicester throw on Patson Daka. Vardy barely had a touch today and is mumbling and grumbling as he takes his seat on the bench.
Leicester 0-2 Chelsea
14:11 , Jamie Braidwood79 mins: A goal and an assist for Enzo Fernandez on his first Premier League start since October 6.
GOOAL! Leicester 0-2 Chelsea (FERNANDEZ 75’)
14:07 , Jamie BraidwoodBUT HE WILL BE NOW! Relief at last for Chelsea as they double their lead and surely seal all three points. And it’s the captain, the returning Enzo Fernandez, who adds the second.
Cucurella’s ball found Jackson at the back post. The header was kept out by Hermansen, but Fernandez was waiting to nod in the rebound. It completes a very good return to the team for the World Cup winner.
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
14:07 , Jamie Braidwood73 mins: Madueke’s low cross is claimed by Hermansen, with Palmer’s pass through to Jackson running a touch long. Enzo Maresca doesn’t look too comfortable on the touchline.
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
14:04 , Jamie Braidwood70 mins: Leicester are the first to make changes. Jordan Ayew and Stephy Mavididi are on for McAteer and Ndidi.
So attacking changes from the hosts - can they make a difference?
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
14:01 , Jamie Braidwood69 mins: Leicester boss Steve Cooper is booked by referee Andy Madley. One too many complaints from Cooper, there. The latest Chelsea corner is cleared by Leicester.
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
13:59 , Jamie Braidwood65 mins: Chelsea have Mykhailo Mudryk, Christopher Nkunku and the fit-again Jadon Sancho on the bench, if Maresca is looking towards his bench. Robert Sanchez is booked for apparent time-wasting, with Chelsea experiencing a bit of a lull here.
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
13:56 , Jamie Braidwood62 mins: A little warning sign for Chelsea? The ball almost drops to Jamie Vardy in the box but Benoit Badiashile is there to clear before Leciester are caught offside. That was a rare attack in this second half from the Foxes.
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
13:53 , Jamie Braidwood59 mins: Imagine if Chelsea don’t go on to win now... That said, they are in complete control again and this is as one-sided as it was for much of the first half.
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
13:46 , Jamie Braidwood54 mins: How is this not 2-0 to Chelsea?! That’s remarkable! Joao Felix led the breakaway, teeing up Nicolas Jackson. His shot is palmed out, leading to a certain goal for Cole Palmer.
But Noni Madueke, who is also there, can’t get out of the way! Madueke jumps to try and dodge it, but he blocks Palmer’s shot and keeps it out from the goalline!
Extraordinary moment. But Palmer sees the funny side and shakes hands with Madueke, who really tried his best to get out of the way.
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
13:46 , Jamie Braidwood53 mins: Palmer was very central in the first half but has drifted wider onto the right in the second, playing closer to Madueke. Chelsea have started the second half in the manner in which they started the first, with plenty of possession.
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
13:43 , Jamie Braidwood49 mins: Quite a scrappy start to the second half. Leicester probably would have wanted to keep playing before half time, given they were finally starting to grow into the game.
Madueke gets the chance to run at his full-back, but unlike him, he runs it straight out of play.
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
13:38 , Jamie Braidwood46 mins: Right, we’re back underway at the King Power. No changes for either Chelsea or Leicester, but there has been a change of assistant referee due to an injury on the touchline.
HALF TIME! Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
13:29 , Jamie BraidwoodOnly Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, Chris Wood and Bryan Mbeumo have more goals than Nicolas Jackson in the Premier League this season. Seven goals in 12 games for the 23-year-old.
HALF TIME! Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
13:20 , Jamie BraidwoodA half of two parts? Chelsea were in total control after Nicolas Jackson’s classy finish on 15 minutes and they could have added to their lead. But Leicester have grown into it, with Chelsea losing some of their control towards half time. This isn’t done yet.
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
13:17 , Jamie Braidwood45 mins: Four minutes added on, in what has been a pretty lively half.
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
13:15 , Jamie Braidwood44 mins: CHANCE! Chelsea almost make Leicester pay on the counter-attack. Jackson is released down the left with the whole half to run into. He swings a cross towards the back post, finding Madueke. But the winger can’t steer his effort back on target, after Hermansen had come out to try and claim it.
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
13:14 , Jamie Braidwood42 mins: Chance! Leicester could quite easily be level. Victor Kristiansen gets some space down the left wing and pulls a cross back into the box. It breaks to Wilfred Ndidi, who scuffs his shot in front of the posts. There were bodies in the way, but he had to hit the target there.
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
13:12 , Jamie Braidwood40 mins: What is Robert Sanchez doing? The goalkeeper plays a loose ball to Moises Caicedo, who is almost caught by Soumare in the box. The Chelsea midfielder is booked for his complaints. But Chelsea are inviting pressure needlessly, after what had been a dominant first half until the last few minutes.
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
13:10 , Jamie Braidwood38 mins: CLOSE! Much better form Leicester, who spring forward through Skipp. He finds Kasey McAteer, who cuts inside from the right wing and skims a shot just wide of the far post. That was not far away at all.
More importantly, that gets the home fans back into it.
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
13:09 , Jamie Braidwood37 mins: Leicester win a free-kick in the Chelsea half, giving the hosts a rare opportunity to cross the ball towards Robert Sanchez. The Chelsea goalkepeer was not very convincing dealing with the high ball, coming out for the cross before letting it drift behind.
NO GOAL! Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
13:05 , Jamie Braidwood34 mins: Confirmed, no goal. Cucurella was offside, but not by much. That was a confident finish from the in-form Madueke, and a sublime pass from Palmer. The Chelsea second is coming, though, unless Leicester can get a grip on this game. It’s been so one-sided.
NO GOAL? Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
13:03 , Jamie Braidwood32 mins: Wow. Stunning move from Chelsea, with Palmer finding Cucurella with a stunning pass and Madueke turning in the finish first time.
Cucurella is flagged for offside... is it? We’ll see.
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
13:02 , Jamie Braidwood31 mins: Another Leicester booking! Oliver Skipp joins Soumare and Ndidi in the book for a flying lunge on Enzo Fernandez, who skipped away.
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
13:02 , Jamie Braidwood29 mins: Aha. Palmer may win the award for worst corner of the season, there. I think he went for goal with a low ball towards the near post, but dragged it straight into the side-netting.
“What the ---- was that,” sing the Leicester fans.
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
13:01 , Jamie Braidwood27 mins: Leicester have been completely pinned back by Chelsea so far, with the Foxes not completeing a single pass in the final third.
Noni Madueke’s shot is kept out by Hermansen, but Chelsea are furious after a flying challenge on Joao Felix from Boubakary Soumare.
The midfielder is booked and Chelsea were again asking for more. Felix was lucky he had jumped just as Soumare came flying in.
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
12:55 , Jamie Braidwood24 mins: More warning signs for Leicester as Cucurella is released down the left. It breaks to Moises Caicedo but the shot is sliced wide.
This is the 10th time this season where Leicester have conceded the opening goal. It’s only their 12th game!
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
12:54 , Jamie Braidwood21 mins: Ooooof. There’s a crunching challenge from Wilfred Ndidi on Cole Palmer, with the Leicester man coming down on the back of Palmer’s heel.
Palmer gets back up, but is wincing. Ndidi is booked. The Chelsea players were asking for stronger punishment there.
Leicester 0-1 Chelsea
12:51 , Jamie Braidwood18 mins: The vibes at Leciester are not good, with the home fans growing restless already as Chelsea continue their dominant start. Noni Madueke and Enzo Fernandez almost create another opening down the right, but Leicester clear.
GOAL! Leicester 0-1 Chelsea (JACKSON 15’)
12:46 , Jamie BraidwoodJust what Chelsea deserve! Clinical from Jackson! Oh that’s a super finish, too. Leicester give the ball away from the goal-kick. Wout Faes allows the ball to drop and Jackson pounces. It’s bouncing around in the box before he produces the sublime finish on the outside of his foot.
Enzo Maresca celebrates taking the lead at his former club. Seven goals for Jackson this season. Chelsea have been dominant so far.
Leicester 0-0 Chelsea
12:46 , Jamie Braidwood14 mins: Oooof. Felix almost made me eat my words. From another Chelsea corner, the Leciester clearance falls to Felix on the edge of the box. He catches the volley so sweetly, on the full, but it doesn’t drop.
Leicester 0-0 Chelsea
12:42 , Jamie Braidwood11 mins: The early change for Leicester is confirmed, with Skipp replacing the injured Winks. Chelsea resume by taking control of the ball again.
The visitors increase the tempo and Caleb Okoli is required to make a big block at the near post to cut out Enzo Fernandez’s cross. Joao Felix snatches at the loose ball from the corner, which drafted back to the far post.
Horrible effort from the Portugal international, to be honest!
Leicester 0-0 Chelsea
12:40 , Jamie Braidwood9 mins: Leicester will of course try and use Jamie Vardy’s pace on the counter-attack, and Benoit Badiashile has to be sharp to cut out the through pass from El Khannouss.
Leicester get the break in play as Harry Winks goes down following a challenge on Fernandez. The former Tottenham midfielder is feeling his groin and looks as if he will be replaced by another former Tottenham midfielder, in Oliver Skipp.
Leicester 0-0 Chelsea
12:38 , Jamie Braidwood6 mins: Chelsea’s shape is a bit different today. Marc Cucurella is playing as the left winger with Joao Felix almost playing as a central midfielder, with Palmer as the No 10. Assured start from the visitors.
Leicester 0-0 Chelsea
12:35 , Jamie Braidwood4 mins: It is all Chelsea in these opening stages. Noni Madueke cuts inside and is bundled over by Bilal El Khannouss. Cole Palmer doesn’t go for goal and Levi Colwill’s header is cleared by Leicester.
Leicester 0-0 Chelsea
12:33 , Jamie Braidwood2 mins: Chelsea with an early spell of possession in the Leicester half, with some touches for Wesley Fofana. The former Leicester defender is booed by the home fans.
Joao Felix shimmies clear of Wout Faes and almost picks out Palmer with the low cross. Mads Hermansen collects and holds.
KICK-OFF! Leicester 0-0 Chelsea
12:31 , Jamie Braidwood1 mins: Cole Palmer gets us underway. The Premier League is back, with plenty of games to come between now and the New Year. The TV cameras focus on Jamie Vardy and Palmer before kick-off. Andy Madley is today’s referee.
Leicester vs Chelsea
12:27 , Jamie BraidwoodAlright the players are in the tunnel and we’re almost ready to go! Enzo Fernandez takes the captain’s armband for Chelsea. It’s a big game for the Argentina international and World Cup winner, who had dropped out of Enzo Maresca’s starting team before the international break. He returns in place of Romeo Lavia today.
Leicester vs Chelsea
12:22 , Jamie BraidwoodEnzo Maresca speaking ahead of Leicester vs Chelsea, to TNT Sports. He confirms Malo Gusto is ill and Pedro Neto picked up a knock with Portugal.
On team news: “Malo unfortunately during the night felt bad. Pedro had a kick with the international team. It’s it getting better but we decided not to risk it today.”
On his return to Leicester: “It’s a fantastic feeling. We had a fantastic season here and we are very thankful. It’s both sides. We know they and they know us very well. We will make some small adjustments.”
Can Chelsea improve international break trend?
12:18 , Jamie BraidwoodChelsea have won one of their previous seven Premier League games following an international break, drawing three and losing three.
That includes the 2-1 defeat at Liverpool last month, but Enzo Maresca’s side did beat Bournemouth 1-0 in September.
Leicester vs Chelsea
12:15 , Jamie BraidwoodIt’s a chilly return to the Premier League this afternoon we kick off with Leicester vs Chelsea.
Leicester’s record against Chelsea since 2021 FA Cup final
12:08 , Jamie BraidwoodLeicester memorably beat Chelsea to win the 2021 FA Cup final at Wembley - but the Foxes have lost five and drawn one of the six meetings since.
That includes last season’s FA Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge, when Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea beat Enzo Maresca’s Leicester 4-2.
Can Chelsea crack Premier League top-four?
11:55 , Jamie BraidwoodChelsea are still trying to find consistency in the Premier League under Enzo Maresca but they are picking up points against the teams around them while beating the sides towards the lower end of the table - which is encouraging ahead of the trip to Leicester.
Chelsea’s only defeats have come to the Premier League’s top two in Liverpool and Manchester City.
Last six Premier League results:
D: 1-1 vs Arsenal (H)
D: 1-1 vs Manchester United (A)
W: 2-1 vs Newcastle (H)
L: 1-2 vs Liverpool (A)
D: Nottingham Forest (H)
W: 4-2 vs Brighton (H)
Leicester’s Abdul Fatawu to miss the rest of the season
11:41 , Jamie BraidwoodLeicester have also been dealt a major blow with winger Abdul Fatawu to miss the rest of the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The 20-year-old has been a bright spark among a struggling Leicester side this season but suffered the serious knee injury while on international duty with Ghana and underwent surgery on Wednesday to fix the issue.
Cooper told a press conference: “It’s not good, it’s a serious injury.
“It’s difficult news - he’s obviously a big talent and a young player who’s exciting. Every player his age has lots to learn but there is so much to be excited about with him.”
Reece James suffers another injury set-back
11:27 , Jamie BraidwoodReece James’ injury woes continued and suffered yet another hamstring injury to miss Chelsea’s Premier League match with Leicester.
The 24-year-old defender has started just three games for Chelsea in 2024. He missed the start of the season with a hamstring injury but returned against Liverpool last month, playing nearly an hour of the Premier League defeat. He also started games against Newcastle United and Manchester United and came off the bench against Arsenal before last week’s international break.
“It’s a hamstring issue, a muscle problem,” manager Enzo Maresca said on Thursday. “He felt something small and we don’t want to take any risks for the weekend.”
Maresca added: “It was two days ago. He has to try and avoid as much as he can but sometimes things happen even if you want to avoid that. Hopefully he can be available for the next one but he is not available for this one.”
A smiling Enzo Maresca on his return to Leicester.
Leicester vs Chelsea team news and confirmed line-ups
11:21 , Jamie BraidwoodCole Palmer starts for Chelsea but there are changes in defence with Malo Gusto not yet fit, so Wesley Fofana moves to right back and Benoit Badiashile partners Levi Colwill at centre-back with Marc Cucurella at left back.
Enzo Fernandez returns into midfield as there is also a start for Joao Felix but Pedro Neto is not in the squad.
For Leicester, Jamie Vardy is fit to start, with Jordan Ayew and Patson Daka on the bench. Kasey McAteer is handed his first Premier League start.
Leicester vs Chelsea team news and confirmed line-ups
11:18 , Jamie BraidwoodLeicester XI: Hermansen; Justin, Faes, Okoli, Kristiansen; Winks, Ndidi, Soumare; McAteer, El Khannouss, Vardy
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella; Enzo, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Felix; Jackson
Premier League table: Tight at the top?
11:02 , Jamie BraidwoodChelsea are sitting third in the Premier League ahead of the restart following the international break - but there are only three points separating the teams in 3rd and 11th. The table could be looking very different by Monday night.
3) Chelsea: 19 (+8)
4) Arsenal: 19 (+6)
5) Nottm Forest: 19 (+5)
6) Brighton: 19 (+4)
7) Fulham: 18 (+3)
8) Newcastle: 18 (+2)
9) Aston Villa: 18 (0)
10) Tottenham: 16 (+10)
11) Brentford: 16 (0)
Enzo Maresca still believes Jamie Vardy is still ‘the best’
10:50 , Jamie BraidwoodJamie Vardy might not be having a party at the end of this season but he is still banging in the goals at 37 and Maresca rates the striker even more highly than England’s two top goalscorers - Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney.
“People don’t realise how good he is,” said Maresca. “I know England have been quite lucky because of Kane and Rooney, this type of striker, they are fantastic.
“But Jamie is, if you ask me, the best one.”
Enzo Maresca returns to Leicester and shares special ‘connection’
10:40 , Jamie BraidwoodEnzo Maresca has lifted the lid on Leicester’s promotion celebrations ahead of Chelsea’s trip to his former team.
The venue for last April’s party was Maresca’s house when the players turned up unannounced at 2am.
Maresca recalled: “The best present I had from last season was when we got promoted and they arrived at my home. All the team.
“This showed the connection between the players; they could go for a party at a different place but they all arrived at my home. It was a fantastic connection and I will always be thankful for them.
“I was at home celebrating with my staff and my family and about two o’clock in the morning all the squad was there. We celebrated all together.
“When I was a player and I won things I never thought to go to the manager’s home. That shows the connection.”
What is the Chelsea team news?
10:34 , Jamie BraidwoodChelsea captain Reece James has suffered another injury setback and will be out because of a hamstring strain. Cole Palmer has been passed fit despite missing England duty, with Malo Gusto, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia and Jadon Sancho available too.
What is the Leicester team news?
10:32 , Jamie BraidwoodLeiceter have a few selection issues among the forward positions, with Jamie Vardy and Jordan Ayew potential doubts. Patson Daka it fit after three months out but winger Abdul Fatawu has suffered an ACL injury and will be out for the rest of the season.
When is Leicester vs Chelsea?
10:31 , Jamie BraidwoodThe Premier League fixture kicks off at 12:30pm BST on Saturday 23 November at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester vs Chelsea TV channel and how to watch
It will be shown live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting from 11am. You can purchase a TNT Sports subscription via discovery+ here, for only £30.99 per month.
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Good morning
10:30 , Jamie BraidwoodHello and welcome to live coverage of Leicester vs Chelsea in the Premier League. We’ll bring you all the team news and build-up before the 12:30pm kick-off, as the Premier League returns from its international break.
