CHELSEA 0 LEICESTER
Kane puts super Ted in shade
have been deafening in their absence. When it comes to no smoke without fire in football, Chelsea have coined the phrase.
Compared with the two Manchester giants Conte is convinced his Chelsea squad is light on deep quality. And when your top star Hazard is having an off- day along with a few others it hits hard.
Hazard, replaced by Willian with over half an hour of the game left, was comfortably eclipsed by Riyad Mahrez in a face-off that promised plenty but was ultimately a one-sided canter for the stylish Algerian.
With a major clamour among the top clubs for Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez it’s astonishing there isn’t the same frenzy for Mahrez. His classy touch, teasing runs and delicious left foot are a rare combination.
Leicester should have been out of sight inside the first 15 minutes after carving out four superb chances. Chilwell made the first two for Shinji Okazaki, who should have scored, and Jamie Vardy who almost did.
Vardy shot just wide soon after and Thibaut Courtois rescued Chelsea with a fabulous diving save to keep out Wilfred Ndidi’s header from a Mahrez corner as Leicester made a thunderous start.
At that stage it was hard to see Leicester not winning as Chelsea struggled for cohesion, a cutting edge and any menace in their play.
In the end Chilwell’s r ed c ard ended Leicester’s chance of i nflicting a fifth League defeat of the campaign on Chelsea although they weathered the predictable late storm.
Whether Conte can do the same is in the balance. HARRY KANE savoured another record-breaking day for Tottenham. The England star (below) scored twice in Spurs’ 4-0 stroll over hapless Everton. Kane’s double took his top-flight tally to 98, overtaking Teddy Sheringham’s Premier League club record. Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino said: “Harry Kane is such a talented player, so professional and I am very happy. He deserves all the credit and a lot of praise. In tthis way he will brbreak all the records iin the Premier L League. “The good thing is J Jimmy Greaves’ re record (all-time top Tott Tottenham league scorer wwith 220 goals) is far away so Harry is not going to break a record every week!” The excellent Son Heung-min maintained his fine form by scoring in his fifth consecutive home Premier League game and is now seen as a key man. He said: “I just really enjoyed it. To catch Harry is impossible, he’s one of the best strikers in the world. I’m a big fan.” Son insists Spurs have now got over their Wembley woes. He added: “It was an unbelievable performance from us, we deserved to win, everyone enjoyed it. Everyone feels like this is our home now.” Christian Eriksen smashed in a fourth from the edge of the penalty area late on after an astute backheel from Dele Alli. n