Brendan forgets his lines
CHELSEA RUIN ‘AUDITION’
IF this was an audition for the ‘biggest job’ in club football, Brendan Rodgers blew it.
Manchester United may come calling for him in the future, but he will be hoping nobody from Old Trafford got to see this thumping defeat.
Rodgers’ Leicester were second best from the outset as they were blitzed off the park by 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.
These are worrying times for Rodgers’ men who are without a win in five games in all competitions. They are slumped in the bottom half of the table – and 14 points off the pacesetters.
The home fans booed their team at half-time and 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, adding: “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 the away camp as Thomas Tuchel hailed a rampaging fourth successive away win that moved Chelsea six points clear at the summit – for a few hours at least.
He reserved some special words for Rudiger and revealed the club are desperate for the German defender to sign a new deal.
The Stamford Bridge chief said: “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 Leicester’s worst nightmare almost became reality when former defender Ben Chilwell – barracked throughout – skimmed a leftfoot effort against the bar.
Tuchel had already spotted one or two things that required changing but, while
giving out instructions, the Foxes almost broke the deadlock.
Only Rudiger’s sensational last-ditch clearance denied Ademola Lookman the simplest tap-in.
A cracking opening to the lunchtime game. Who says these fixtures take time to get going?
Certainly not Tuchel’s troops. And definitely not Rudiger, who in the 14th minute scored his fourth goal against Leicester.
The hosts’ marking was shocking as Chilwell’s corner travelled unchecked and Rudiger flicked a header home.
Leicester were down but not out at that stage. Lookman was a yard offside when finishing off a fine sweeping counter.
That was a warning to Chelsea. Time for Kante to shine bright on his old stamping ground where he lifted the title five years ago.
Reece James’ superb flick set the Frenchman free and, following a darting run, he unleashed an unlikely 20-yard finish to double the lead.
Rodgers had to try something to shake up proceedings. On came Kelechi Iheanacho and James Maddison at the break.
Initially, it made little difference. Only a Kasper Schmeichel fingertip save denied Chilwell making it 3-0 five minutes into the second half.
Meanwhile, the Danish keeper’s opposite number Edouard Mendy was enjoying a quiet afternoon.
That all changed on the hour mark, though, with the Senegal ace keeping out piledrivers from Marc Albrighton and Daniel Amartey.
Those efforts prompted Tuchel to shuffle 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.
Chelsea almost went on a mad goal spree after that but had three more efforts ruled offside.