Chelsea pip Leicester in the race for Champions League with 2-1 victory

Chelsea avenged their FA Cup final defeat to Leicester with a crucial 2-1 victory over the Foxes at Stamford Bridge which had massive ramifications for both clubs in their race for the Champions League football. The Blues dominated the game in the opening 45 minutes and eventually took the lead in the second half through Antonio Rudiger and Jorginho. Leicester clawed themselves back in the game through Kelechi Iheanacho with 20 minutes to go but couldn’t find the equalising goal which would keep them in the top three in the table.

It was an electric atmosphere at Stamford Bridge which saw 8,000 fans return to the seats for the first time in over a year. Buoyed by their home support, Chelsea swarmed Leicester in the opening exchanges and the Foxes couldn’t live with the constant wave of pressure from Tomas Tuchel’s men.

Timo Werner was at the centre of all the action and the controversy in the first half. After having a penalty turned down by referee Mike Dean, the German striker also had two goals disallowed – for offside and handball. After the game, Werner said “the first half was the picture of the whole season for me” and also admitted that this has been the unluckiest season for him in front of goal.

Leicester rode that luck in the first 45 and despite all of Chelsea’s domination, the Blues couldn’t find the back of the net and went into the break at 0-0. Crucially, Chelsea learned their lesson from the Cup Final 4 days earlier and didn’t let those missed chances define the outcome of the game. The Blues took the lead early in the second half through Antonio Rudiger and Timo Werner eventually made the difference by winning a penalty after being fouled by Wesley Fofana inside the box. Jorginho preceded to convert that spot-kick in typical fashion and despite a late goal from Kelechi Iheanacho and some tensions bubbling over on the touchline between both sets of players, Chelsea hung on to all three points.

Following the victory, Chelsea pip Leicester to go third in the table and can seal their spot in next season’s Champions League with a win over Aston Villa on Sunday. Leicester City meanwhile are in danger of dropping out of the top four after another stellar season under Brendan Rodgers. The Foxes will have to beat Tottenham on the final day of the season and hope that Liverpool or Chelsea slip up in their remaining games to finish in the top four.