FOXES TROT TO TOP AS CHELSEA FALTER
LEICESTER served notice of their title credentials by storming to the top of the Premier League with an emphatic victory over listless Chelsea.
The Foxes were unexpected champions in 2016 but their place back at the summit is no fluke, Brendan Rodgers’ side having started the new year with four straight wins in all competitions.
Wilfred Ndidi gave them a sixthminute lead with a swerving shot after Harvey Barnes helped on Marc Albrighton’s ball into the box.
Barnes and James Maddison were a constant menace as Leicester continued to impress but Chelsea appeared to get a lifeline when referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot after Jonny Evans brought down Christian Pulisic.
That decision was overturned with VAR showing the foul took place outside the box and, after Mason Mount had wasted the free-kick, Leicester almost immediately got their second.
Albrighton played the ball forward, Jamie Vardy appeared to be held by Antonio Rudiger but Maddison lashed the ball into the net. It was almost three after another sizzling break on the hour when Maddison’s superb long pass picked out Barnes and Vardy fed Youri Tielemans but Edouard Mendy saved brilliantly with his legs. Timo Werner had what would have been a late consolation chalked off due to a marginal offside. While the Foxes dare to dream again, defeat piles the pressure on Chelsea manager Frank Lampard whose side have slumped alarmingly with five defeats in eight games since going top of the table.