Chelsea defeated Leicester comfortably as they ran out 3-0 winners at home to the beleaguered champions. Last season, Chelsea looked like anything but champions and Leicester City put together a similar performance on Saturday. They failed to get a foothold in the game due to Chelsea’s sheer dominance.
Chelsea were dominant from the off as Costa put them ahead within 8 minutes of kick-off and Eden Hazard soon doubled that lead. Chelsea created chances throughout as Leicester looked dejected. Victor Moses, who is playing in a new right wingback role also got himself a goal in the last 10 minutes of the game.
Here are the player ratings for the game –
CHELSEA (3-4-3)
Thibaut Courtois – 6
He didn’t have much to do on the day as the Champions looked lackluster and failed to test him as much as they would have liked to. The Belgian shot stopper had a comfortable night.
Cezar Azpilicueta – 7.5
The Spaniard excelled despite being played in an unfamiliar role in the center of the park, to which he responded quite well as he a good game. Was able to cover for Cahill and Luiz when needed.
David Luiz – 7.5
Had one jittery moment when he hit his own post, but apart from that had a pretty solid game. Defended with grit and confidence and kept the Leicester City attackers at bay. Almost scored twice from spectacular free-kicks.
Gary Cahill- 6
The Englishman didn’t have a spectacular game as such but did enough to ensure Chelsea didn’t concede a goal. Playing in a back 3 seems to have helped Cahill as his weaknesses are no longer visibly highlighted.
Victor Moses – 7.5 (Ola Aina 82)
Continuing in a wingback role, the Nigerian impressed again. He scored a well-taken goal in the final minutes of the game when the result was already a foregone conclusion with Leicester looking powerless.
N’golo Kante – 8.5
Easily looked like the Kante from last season, when he was scintillating for his former employers, Leicester. Was a buzzing dynamo in midfield as he dominated the midfield region with constant interceptions and breaking up of play. Was unfortunate to not score. Put in his most note-worthy performance in a Chelsea shirt.
Nemanja Matic – 8
Looked like his former self again as he put in a performance that was reminiscent of his form during the title-winning season. His place in the XI was up for debate prior to Saturday’s game, but this performance will have put that uncertainty to bed, at least for now.
Marcus Alonso – 7
Was a reliable source on the left-hand side. Always willing to get high up the pitch and get involved in the team’s attacking forays. But he should look to do better. Mahrez not playing from the start might’ve helped his rating.
Pedro – 6.5 (Chalobah 68, 6.5)
Although he assisted the second goal, was anonymous for large parts of the game. A very unspectacular display from the former Barcelona man, therefore was the first player to be subbed off.
Diego Costa – 8
Chelsea are doing well again due to Costa’s tenacity and work rate up front. He opened the scoring for the Blues and they didn’t look back since then.
Eden Hazard – 7.5 ( Loftus- Cheek 82)
Scored the second goal of the game, but nowhere near the Hazard from 2 seasons ago. Will need to get back to his best if Chelsea are to achieve anything of sort this season.
Subs unused – Begovic, Solanke,Terry, Batshuayi
LEICESTER (4-4-2)
Kasper Schmeichel – 6
Not wholly at fault for any of the goals conceded. Made several fine saves to ensure Leicester weren’t battered on the day. The defense in front of him needs to wise up.
Luis Hernandez – 5
Offered little going forward. Was tormented by Hazard throughout the game and failed to get a foothold on the game. Was exposed due to his lack of pace and positional awareness.
Wes Morgan – 5
Seems to have become a shadow of his former self. A lot was expected of Captain Morgan after last season’s heroics, but he utterly failed to organize the back 4. Was at fault for Costa’s opener when he lost him from a corner kick.
Robert Huth – 5.5
Although not completely at fault for any of the goals conceded, the former Chelsea defender looked like his time had come. Such a performance will obviously spring questions about his future. Needs to do better in future games to keep his place in the team.
Christian Fuchs – 5
Couldn’t cope with Chelsea’s attackers. Was on the back foot throughout the game as Pedro and Moses took him apart with their strong, intent-filled running. A poor performance from the Austrian.
Jeffrey Schlupp – 5 (Mahrez 67,5)
Offered pace going forward and a lot of attacking intent, but nothing came to fruit. Floundered his lines too often with indecisive passes and decision-making. Was hooked off for Mahrez, who should’ve started the game in all fairness.
Danny Drinkwater – 6.5
A usual stalwart performance from the Englishman as he sprayed passes around. He was one of Leicester’s better players and was willing to get on the ball and open up Chelsea’s stubborn defense.
Daniel Amartey – 5
Any suggestion that he could be a replacement for Kante was wiped away as Amartey put in an anonymous performance and was unable to break up play. Looked powerless as Kante and Matic ran the rule over the midfield region.
Marc Albrighton – 6 (King 74, 5)
Found it very difficult to pick out players as there was a lack of movement from the attackers. Looked like one of the few Leicester players who could create something. Was hooked off in the 74th minute. Slimani was on the pitch at the time and Leicester were in need of width and crosses to empower the Algerian target man. Bad decision by Ranieri.
Ahmed Musa – 5 (Slimani 67, 4)
Brought in for a hefty fee in the summer, the Nigerian frontman is yet to showcase why Leicester went out and spent that much on him. Was missing throughout the game and furthermore, couldn’t use his pace to influence the game.
Jamie Vardy – 5
Vardy is no longer the player we thought he was, on the evidence of last season. Seems like the team’s bad form and inability to get results has had a negative effect on most players, Vardy included. Will need to start scoring again.
Leicester should look to keep it simple like they did last season, rather than complicate things for themselves. Riyad Mahrez should be given more confidence to perform. Keeping him on the bench for a game like this sent out a bad signal of intent and therefore the whole team must’ve felt helpless right from the outset.