Chelsea surged into the UEFA Champions League places on the Premier League standings, following a narrow 1-0 victory over Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester City’s 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday afforded Chelsea the opportunity to usurp the reigning league champions, provided if they got past the Foxes and the Blues took full advantage.
The hosts were dominant in possession but could not find a way past their dogged opposition. They did however get the chance to take the lead midway through the first half, after they were awarded a penalty in the 22nd minute.
Cole Palmer stepped up to take the spot-kick but saw his effort from twelve yards superbly saved by Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen. It was the first Premier League penalty miss for the out-of-sorts Chelsea forward, who has now gone seven league games without a goal.
Enzo Maresca’s men drew first blood in the second half through full-back Marc Cucurella in the 60th minute. The Spaniard skidded an angled shot across the turf past the Hermansen, after being teed up by Enzo Fernandez.
The goal did not prevent the Foxes from finding the leveller. The visitors looked dangerous on the counter, with Moroccan midfielder Bilal El Khannouss and Jamie Vardy linking well but could not find the killer shot while substitute Ricardo Pereira drew a save from Robert Sanchez in the 86th minute.
The win saw Chelsea leapfrog Manchester City into fourth position on 49 points, two behind third-placed Nottingham Forest.
As for Leicester, they remain mired in the relegation places on 17 points – six points adrift from safety.