Overview

Chelsea grabbed our first win over Leicester City in league play since 9th September 2017 on the back of one of our best performances of the season. After a dispiriting outing against the same opponents in the FA Cup final, the team came out all guns blazing and should have won by more than just the one goal.

The presence of fans at Stamford Bridge appeared to prop up the players, with Timo Werner in particular feeding on the noise and the support. Bar a couple of individual moments in the second half where players dozed off defensively, this was as close to a flawless team performance as we have gotten all season. As always, the finishing touch was missing.

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Match statistics

Statistics from fbref and understat.

Note: some statistics on the player charts might not corroborate with those presented in the “stats of note” sections. This is because the stats for the charts are obtained from a different source and not fbref. For instance, Thiago Silva has 5 successful aerial duels according to fbref and 6 according to Opta. In most cases, the differences will be minimal.

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Individual ratings

Thomas Tuchel

After a rough couple of games, Tuchel returned to his usually high level of planning and decision-making. The wide centre-backs were offered more passing options on the ball than in the cup final, thereby making progression easier. The presence of the dynamic Ben Chilwell ensured we were able to stretch Leicester’s defense in a way we failed to on Saturday.

The only concern at this point is the fact Kanté and Mount look perilously close to breaking down due to our over-reliance on them. Mount faded in the second half once again while Kanté asked to be subbed off due to possible injury risk.

RATING: 8

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Édouard Mendy — GK

His distribution was great, with one pass to Chilwell among intense pressure standing out. More than his shot-stopping and presence, his passing is what the team missed. He could have perhaps done a bit better to get closer to the shot.

RATING: 6

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César Azpilicueta — RWB

Had a nondescript performance, with Leicester offering very little threat down their left flank.

Stats of note
6 progressive passes received - 2nd
3 aerial duels won (4 contested) - Joint 2nd
4 touches in penalty box - Joint 3rd

RATING: 6.5

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Reece James — RCB

Did very well to keep up with Vardy for the second time in three days. He won multiple second-duels and his adventurous passing from the wide centre-back slot is an asset that will be very useful if he continues playing here.

Stats of note
6 passes into final third - 2nd
2 carries into final third - Joint 2nd
10 loose-ball recoveries - Joint 2nd
3 aerial duels won (4 contested) - Joint 2nd
7 clearances - 3rd

RATING: 7

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Thiago Silva — CB

Had an excellent performance, something he has normalized this season. His game in the air was particularly good. Every time Leicester tried to evade our pressure by playing long-balls, Silva was there to mop up.

Stats of note
9 clearances - 1st
5 aerial duels won (5 contested) - 1st
3 shots - 2nd

RATING: 7.5

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Antonio Rüdiger — LCB

Reinforced his status as the team’s emotional leader by coming up trumps in a big game. As Tuchel stated before the game, his active nature of defending out wide is crucial to the team’s functioning. He might be rash from time to time but the pros well outweigh the cons.

Stats of note
1 goal
17 pressures - 3rd

RATING: 8

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Ben Chilwell — LWB

His dynamism and quick decision-making on the ball were crucial in order to play out of Leicester’s press. His ability to buy time on the ball in order to explore passing options, in particular, is an underrated component of how we build from the back.

Stats of note
2 interceptions - Joint 1st
8 clearances - 2nd
3 shot-creating actions - Joint 3rd
5 progressive carries - Joint 2nd

RATING: 7

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N’Golo Kanté — RCM

Started the game very brightly, especially in the final third, before asking to be subbed off.

Stats of note
2 carries into final third - Joint 2nd

RATING: N/A

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Jorginho — LCM

Bounced back to form after two underwhelming performances. His passing was crisp and he found advanced players with ease. Showed great composure in converting the penalty for the second goal, too.

Stats of note
9 passes into final third - 1st
2 passes into penalty box - 1st
11 progressive passes - 1st
13 loose-ball recoveries - 1st
2 key-passes - Joint 1st
4 tackles - Joint 1st
2 interceptions - Joint 1st
4 shot-creating actions - 2nd
21 pressures - 2nd
3 aerial duels won (5 contested) - Joint 2nd

RATING: 8.5

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Christian Pulisic — R-AM/W

Arguably the only negative in terms of individual performances. His decision-making was poor on both flanks and his individualism often brought moves to an abrupt end. Struggled to hold the ball at the end of the game and could have done a lot better to make use of a few transitions.

Stats of note
6 touches in penalty box - 1st
3 successful dribbles (7 attempted) - 1st
13 progressive passes received - 1st
3 tackles - 2nd
2 shots - Joint 3rd
3 shot-creating actions - Joint 3rd

RATING: 6

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Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Timo Werner — CF

Was unlucky to have two goals ruled out by VAR, although both were correct calls. He should have won another penalty on top of the one he earned but the usual incompetence of referees prevented that. He appeared to be greatly boosted by the presence of fans.

Stats of note
4 shots - 1st
3 carries into penalty box - 1st
5 touches in penalty box - 2nd
5 progressive carries - Joint 2nd
2 carries into final third - Joint 2nd

RATING: 7.5

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Mason Mount — L-AM/W

Showcased the best piece of skill in the game with a nutmeg before creating a big chance. After a great first half, he faded in the second due to fatigue and survived a knee injury scare.

Stats of note
7 shot-creating actions - 1st
23 pressures - 1st
2 key-passes - Joint 1st
3 carries into final third - Joint 1st
6 progressive passes - 2nd
2 carries into penalty box - 2nd
10 loose-ball recoveries - Joint 2nd
4 passes into final third - 3rd
5 progressive passes received - 3rd
2 shots - Joint 3rd
4 touches in penalty box - Joint 3rd

RATING: 7

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Substitutes

Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Mateo Kovačić (32nd minute) — Started his cameo looking untouchable, like he had never been away. However, his rustiness showed soon and he was responsible for Leicester’s two biggest chances, failing to control a regulation pass from James and then failing to track Ayoze Pérez.

Stats of note
7 progressive carries - 1st
4 tackles - Joint 1st
3 carries into final third - Joint 1st
5 progressive passes - 3rd

RATING: 6.5

Kurt Zouma (88th minute) — Not much of note.

Olivier Giroud (91st minute) — Not much of note.