Vardy strikes as Leicester stun Chelsea

Chelsea suffered their first home defeat since April as Jamie Vardy fired Leicester to a shock 1 -0 win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday .
Maurizio Sarri ’ s side paid the price for failing to convert their chances when Vardy netted early in the second half to hand the Blues their first defeat in five games .

Chelsea ’ s disjointed display surrendered an 18 – match unbeaten run at the Bridge dating back to Tottenham ’ s victory in April.

Sarri has insisted he does not expect Chelsea to challenge for the title this season , the Italian rating Liverpool and Manchester City as “ two steps ahead ” of the Blues .
This was further evidence to support Sarri ’ s concerns , with Chelsea left trailing 11 points behind leaders Liverpool.

Chelsea remain in fourth place in the Premier League, but they are now above fifth – placed Arsenal only on goal difference , leaving them facing a tense bid to qualify for the Champions League in the second half of the season .

Leicester ’ s first win at Chelsea since September 2000 was well – timed for Foxes boss Claude Puel, who has endured recent reports he could be sacked just 14 months after he arrived from Southampton .

Chelsea almost took the lead in bizarre fashion after just two minutes when David Luiz launched a long ball towards Willian .

Luiz ’ s pass bounced on the edge of the Leicester area , prompting Foxes keeper Kasper Schmeichel to rush off his line , but when neither he or Willian could make contact , the ball bounced just wide of the empty net .

Pedro was inches away from putting Chelsea in front when he met Willian’ s corner with a glancing header that flashed wide as Luiz stretched in vain to turn it in .

But despite their territorial dominance , Chelsea ’ s passing and movement wasn ’ t precise or fast enough to prise Leicester open .

– Thunderous –

Significantly , Hazard was again deployed up front as Sarri continued with the experiment of using the Belgian playmaker as a ‘ false nine ’ .

Hazard has been less than effusive in his thoughts about the role so far , dropping hints that he would prefer to return to his usual wide position .

He remains by far Chelsea ’ s most dangerous player wherever he lines up , but there is little doubt his best performances come on the flanks .

Hazard had been the midweek League Cup match -winner against Bournemouth and he should have bagged his 100 th Chelsea goal after pouncing on a slip from Leicester ’ s Harry Maguire for a fierce close – range shot that cannoned off the bar .

It was a crucial moment .

Ndidi ’ s thunderous long- range drive forced Kepa Arrizabalaga to make a fine save before Jorginho produced a powerful effort of his own that Schmeichel punched away.

Not for the first time this season , Chelsea ’ s miscues in attack proved fatal .

Showing the cutting edge that Sarri ’ s team lacked , Leicester punished a moment ’ s loss of concentration to snatch the lead in the 51 st minute .

James Maddison slipped a perfect pass to Vardy, who escaped Cesar Azpilicueta before burying a cool finish past Kepa for his sixth goal of the season .

It was the first time Chelsea had conceded a goal at home in six matches and inevitably they turned to Hazard for inspiration .

Beating Leicester ’ s offside trap , Hazard cut in from the left for a stinging strike that Schmeichel blocked at his near post.

Sarri responded by sending on Olivier Giroud and Ruben Loftus – Cheek , allowing Hazard to return to the left wing .

But Leicester were defending superbly and Chelsea ’ s luck was out in stoppage-time when Marcos Alonso ’ s shot hit a post and rolled along the goalline to safety .

( AFP)

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