Chelsea bowed to the top team Leicester

Coach Claudio Ranieri's team continued to show impressive form, beating the defending champion 2-1, thereby regaining the top spot from Arsenal.

Chelsea tasted their ninth defeat in the Premier League. Photo: Offside.

Leicester and Chelsea, two teams with clear contrasts when comparing the last two seasons, met each other in the round of 16. The defending champions are now struggling in the bottom half of the table, while the team that struggled to stay in the league last season is on the rise.

The late match of round 16 yesterday, December 14, was the clearest proof of the current form chart between the two teams. A confident Leicester, constantly pressing, made the Chelsea players tremble, leaving the King Power stadium without fanfare.

The home team took the lead thanks to goals from Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez. Loic Remy was the player who reduced the score for the visitors in the 77th minute.

20 points is the gap between Leicester and Chelsea at the moment.

The Foxes regained the top spot from Arsenal with two more points. This is a great encouragement for Ranieri and his team as they will face Everton, Liverpool and Man City in the next three rounds. The fairy tale is still waiting for Leicester to continue.

The other side of the sunshine is a gloomy atmosphere. Jose Mourinho still cannot find the light at the end of the tunnel. This is the second consecutive defeat and the ninth defeat of Chelsea in the Premier League this season. The defending champion is stuck in 16th place, only 1 point above the red light group.

Chelsea have shown a lackluster performance many times this season, but rarely have they been as confused, playing as if they were walking on the field and out of rhythm as when facing the "Foxes". From the beginning, Vardy and Mahrez's runs caused sorrow for the white-shirted defense, especially John Terry. If Vardy appeared and disappeared in the penalty area, Mahrez's "magic" feet outside the penalty area opened up many opportunities for his teammates.

Chelsea were at an early disadvantage when Eden Hazard was injured and had to leave the field in the 30th minute. Just four minutes later, the visitors conceded a goal. Vardy moved smartly, received a cross from the right wing and swung his leg to shoot past goalkeeper Courtois. This was the English striker's 15th goal of the season. In 14 consecutive matches, Vardy has scored or assisted his teammates to score.

But Vardy was not the standout player against Chelsea, but the "magician" Mahrez. The 24-year-old Algerian midfielder had a sublime night with his footwork, assisting the opening goal and scoring a beautiful goal himself just three minutes after the break. In a tight angle and blocked by players in white, Mahrez was still able to curl the ball into the far corner of the goal.

The scuffle between Costa and Vardy. Photo Reuters.

An hour into the game, Chelsea created their clearest chance. Diego Costa had a chance to face Leicester's goal but the Spaniard's final shot went straight at the goalkeeper.

Chances came to Chelsea with wing attacks. In the 77th minute, Remy escaped down to head the ball close to the goal to shorten the score after a cross from Pedro's left wing.

In the final minutes, Mourinho went to the sidelines, waiting for a miracle from his players. But that did not happen for the team at Stamford Bridge.

According to VNE