BREN IN DAY TO FORGET
IF this was an audition for the biggest job in club football, Brendan Rodgers blew it – big time!
Manchester United may come calling for him in the future but, rest assured, it won’t have anything to do with this thumping reverse. Rodgers’ Leicester were second best from the outset as they were blitzed off the park by Premier League leaders Chelsea. Antonio Rudiger continued his amazing scoring spree against the Foxes to start the ball rolling before N’Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic sealed a comprehensive victory. Without a win in five in all competitions, these are worrying times for Rodgers’ men. They are slumped in the bottom half of the table – a massive 13 points off the pacesetters. The home fans booed their team at halftime and again at the final whistle – a reaction that upset the King Power boss.
Rodgers said: “It was very disappointing. We need to have a sense of perspective.
“We’ve been challenging teams way, way above us for several years. We respect our supporters’ opinions but to hear that makes it very difficult for the players.”
As for those links to United, Rodgers refused to blame that for the poor display, and added: “It’s something that’s not real. I’ve spoken to the players about it. Today didn’t have anything to do with it.”
What a contrasting mood in
At the King Power Stadium
the away camp as Tuchel hailed a rampaging fourth successive away victory.
He reserved some special words for Rudiger and revealed the club are desperate for the German defender to sign a new deal.
The Bridge chief said: “Yes, exclamation mark, he’s been outstanding. He deserves praise for the invisible work.
“Everyone wants him to stay. That’s clear. Sometimes there’s a delay in everything.
“I am very happy today even if there’s always room for improvement.
“We could be more precise and more clinical with our decision making. But this was a huge effort – and we deserved the win.”
After only four minutes, former Leicester defender Ben Chilwell – who was barracked throughout – skimmed a leftfoot effort against the bar.
Then the Foxes almost broke the deadlock. Only Rudiger’s sensational last-ditch clearance denied Ademola Lookman the simplest tap-in.
And it was Rudiger, who in the 14th minute scored his fourth goal against Leicester as he flicked a header home. Kante, back
on his old stamping ground where he lifted the title five years ago, doubled the lead from 20 yards.
When Leicester responded after the break, Tuchel shuffled his pack, with Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech introduced. What an inspired move.
Within eight minutes the pair combined to put the contest to bed, Ziyech crossing for the American to score from close range.