Chelsea moved within one win of sealing the title after a second half comeback against Leicester at the King Power Stadium. The Blues fell behind late in the first half after a strike from Mark Albrighton, but goals from Didier Drogba, John Terry and Ramires saw them take a 13 point lead at the top.
After suffering a suspected concussion on Sunday, Oscar wasn’t risked in the starting line up here. Ramires came in for his felow Brazilian, but Jose Mourinho sprung a surprise by putting him on the right, with Willian playing centrally and Cesc Fabregas in a deeper midfield spot. There was another change at the back, as Thibaut Courtois was replaced by Petr Cech, with the Belgian not 100% fit.
He was amongst the first half action, having to claim the ball after a spot of penalty box pinball. That was one of the few dangerous moments of the half, and the game looked like it would be deadlocked at half time, until Leicester found a way past the Czech keeper. Nemanja Matic gave the ball away, and Jamie Vardy took advantage to set up Albrighton, who opened the scoring in stoppage time.
It was fully deserved on their first half performance, which carried on their recent run of victories. There were tweaks at half time, with Ramires moving into central midfield, with Willian moving back out wide on the right. That change paid dividends straight away in the second half, as the visitors’ equaliser was created down the right. Willian worked hard, but it was Branislav Ivanovic who played the ball across, which was finished well by Drogba.
After that goal, the Blues were in control. They couldn’t quite turn that into a second for a while, but they eventually got the better of the Foxes from a corner. It was fitting that Terry would get the goal that pushed them close to the title, given just how his performances have inspired the side at times this season. Gary Cahill got a great header in, and Esteban Cambiasso’s block fell perfectly for Terry to bundle it home.
After that, Chelsea quickly killed off the game with a goal from Ramires a few minutes later. They poured forward even when 2-1 up, as all boring (!) teams do, and Ramires found space on the edge of the area and hit a thumping drive into the Leicester net. That was enough to see them take the points south, ending the home sides’ run of four successive victories.
The Blues now have the opportunity to lift the title this weekend, with a victory against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge. With the chance to win the trophy in front of their own fans, this is the perfect chance to win it for the first time in five years. After leading the way since the opening weekend, they’re tantalisingly close to being there on the final weekend.
LCN Man of the Match: Willian