Rodgers is frustrated by fan boos in Blues cruise
CHELSEA 3 Rudiger (14), Kante (28), Pulisic (71)
Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers admitted he was disappointed after his side were booed by their own supporters during yesterday’s thrashing by Chelsea.
Rodgers also dismissed a suggestion that speculation over his future, with the former Liverpool manager having recently been linked with a move to Manchester United, played any part in the Foxes’ latest underwhelming performance.
Some supporters voiced their displeasure as the players left the field 2-0 down at halftime at the King Power Stadium.
The European champions could have had more with Ben Chilwell hitting the crossbar and the offside flag ruling out three further strikes in the second half.
The final score left Rodgers’ side in the bottom half of the Premier League with just four wins from 12 games.
Given that the visitors were top of the table, and that Leicester have finished fifth twice and won the FA Cup in the past two seasons, Rodgers felt the criticism was harsh.
Rodgers said: “It was very disappointing. I have a sense of perspective of where this team has come from over the past couple of years.
“We have totally over-achieved, not just arriving in the top six, but challenging teams which are way above us in terms of budget.
“Of course we are not at our level of confidence, but to hear that at half-time was disappointing, especially against a team of
Chelsea’s level. We respect the fans’ feelings, but I also have a sense of perspective.”
Leicester did show some attacking intent but were no real match for the European champions, who were strong and incisive.
There was an early warning of this as former Leicester man Chilwell almost
silenced the home fans booing him when he struck the goal frame in the opening minutes.
With Reece James then breaking forward and forcing Kasper Schmeichel to punch clear, it was obvious the game would not be goalless for long. Yet the opener, when it came in the 14th minute, did so from a set-piece as Rudiger headed powerfully into the far corner from Chilwell’s cross.
Leicester thought they had hit back when Ademola Lookman swept home from a Marc Albrighton cross, but he was offside.
Chelsea made the most of that reprieve to double their lead after 28 minutes. Kante was allowed to charge towards the area unchallenged by the home defence and he made them pay as he lashed in from 18 yards.
Rodgers tried to inject some life into his side at the break by introducing James Maddison and Kelechi Iheanacho.
Yet it was Chelsea who started the second half the stronger and Chilwell forced a good save from Schmeichel with a snap-shot.
The hosts did have a good spell with Daniel Amartey forcing Edouard Mendy to save a shot from range and Jamie Vardy heading over.
But Chelsea always looked the more dangerous and they put the result beyond doubt after 71 minutes when Hakim Ziyech teed up fellow substitute Christian Pulisic to slide in a finish from close range.
Callum Hudson-odoi, Pulisic and James all put the ball in the net again, but Leicester, struggling with a now relentless Chelsea, were spared by the flag on each occasion.
Rodgers added: “We lacked that belief, especially in the first half. Going behind early on gives them confidence to play at the level they can, because they’re a very good team.
“We are a team with the ninth-biggest budget in the league and have been able to get in there and disrupt the market. It has brought us more games to contend with, coming into that third season, but you wouldn’t change it.
“We have had a great run. It’s a period now where it is my responsibility to lead us through it and I am very confident I can, but, on this day, we were beaten by a better team.
“We are honest enough to say that, and we have to take our medicine and look forward.”
Asked about the reports about his future, Rodgers continued: “It is something that is not real. I spoke to the players about it and it had nothing to do with that.”
It was a different story for Thomas Tuchel, who could reflect on a confident return to form two weeks after his side were held to a frustrating draw by Burnley.
Tuchel said: “I am happy, but there’s always room for improvement. The players know very well when they do a good match and they did a good match.
“It was a good performance, especially in the first half because we could have finished the game with a third one earlier.
“There are still things to improve, technical mistakes in the last third, decision-making and conversion from chances – but it was a very good performance, a tough performance and we needed it. It was deserved and we are happy with it.”