Chelsea 0-1 Leicester City: 5 Talking Points & Tactical Analysis | Premier League 2018-19

Leicester City stunned Chelsea at the Bridge
Leicester City stunned Chelsea at the Bridge

Maurizio Sarri's unbeaten record at Stamford Bridge came to an unfitting end at the hands of a Jamie Vardy-inspired performance from Leicester City. The striker netted a well-taken goal in the 51st minute on the back of a sumptuous counter-attack - a typical Leicester goal.

Despite having just 28% possession and almost nothing to cheer about in the first half, Claude Puel's team churned out a remarkable result on a pitch known for away days snowballed with misery.

While Sarri lost for the very first time since taking charge of the West Londoners, the Foxes won their first ever game at the Bridge since the 1960s.

After the loss, Chelsea might be five points adrift of third-placed Spurs on Christmas. But first, let's take a look at the major talking points from Leicester City's historic win at Chelsea.


#1 Chelsea dominate a lacklustre first half but fail to score

Hazard received harsh treatment from the Leicester players
Hazard received harsh treatment from the Leicester players

As envisaged, Chelsea recycled possession time and time again with Leicester defending with maximum bodies in their defensive third.

The likes of David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger had far too much space and time to restart an attack, and pick the long passes and diagonals. The former did pick out Willian in the opening exchanges of the game on a couple of occasions, but the winger couldn't find the right connection.

Until the 40th minute or so, no goalkeeper was called into action. In the 17th minute, a Chelsea corner was flicked on to the far post by Pedro, but the ball landed just ahead of an onrushing David Luiz.

The hosts produced moments of brilliance through their sharp passing, quick movement and the supreme attitude of Eden Hazard, but nothing managed to disturb a well-drilled Leicester defence.

The 33rd minute of the game saw the best chance, when the ball ricocheted off a few grey shirts and fell kindly to Hazard. The talisman took a touch and absolutely destroyed the cross bar.

Sarri's men upped the ante in the dying stages of the first 45 minutes. A deadly counter-attacking move featuring Hazard and Kante saw Willian clear on goal, but the Brazilian shot straight at Schmeichel.

#2 A summary of Leicester City's first half

Vardy was a mere passenger
Vardy was a mere passenger

Leicester City were set up highly defensively, with a 4-5-1 or a 4-4-1-1 shape. Most of the defenders played deeper than usual. In front of them stood a mobile, lively midfield that hunted in a pack more often than not.

Although the Foxes only saw 20% of the ball, they were extremely well-organised. They cleared their lines, spotted the final ball and made vital interceptions and challenges. Only once was Schmeichel beaten, when Hazard struck the frame of the goal.

Attacking-wise, the visitors hardly mustered an effort on goal until the half an hour mark. Vardy, who broke the deadlock, was more isolated than anybody else. As a result, he cut a frustrated figure.

Wilfred Ndidi registered the first shot on target when in the 41st minute, he wrapped his foot around the ball from about 25 yards out and forced an excellent save from Kepa Arrizabalaga.

#3 Leicester break on the counter, Vardy opens the scoring

What a finish from Vardy!
What a finish from Vardy!

After all that reprocessing of the ball and attempts on goal from the Blues, it only took one brutal counter-attack from Leicester's perspective to break the deadlock from an emphatic Jamie Vardy finish.

Chelsea started strong in the second half as well, with Kante surging forward and creating a good couple of chances. A corner then followed, before Leicester broke.

Sublime yet slick dribbling from Ricardo lit up the stage for James Maddison, who needs no second invitation to produce a killer pass. The number 10, from his typical position, played a through ball between Rudiger's legs to Vardy, who slotted it home and put his team's nose in front.

Eventually, it turned out to be the winner.

#4 Chelsea lost their rhythm after the goal

Pedro lost possession quite a few times, owing to the pressure
Pedro lost possession quite a few times, owing to the pressure

Although there weren't many openings carved out in the first period of play, Azpilicueta and co. looked rather settled on and off the ball. Kepa did produce a magnificent save, but it was all Chelsea in the first half.

The same happened in the second half until Vardy scored. After that, Leicester had a bit more 'bite', a bit more desire. All of a sudden, they had Chelsea rattled and dismantled.

It took a while to re-assemble, but the lack of urgency meant that the Blues relied on the dying stages of the game to salvage a point, if not score a couple in quick succession.

The sharpness was lacking in the second half, especially from the likes of Pedro and Azpilicueta. They did, however, hit the woodwork again through Marcos Alonso, who has now rattled the post more times than any other player this season - five.

Rudiger had an easy header, but the German directed it just wide of goal. That pretty much summed up Chelsea's evening.

#5 Claude Puel might just have saved his job

Surely a smiling figure from within
Surely a smiling figure from within

Although Leicester haven't endured a significant dip in form, stories from around the country suggested that Puel might face the sack in the wake of the game against Chelsea.

In terms of his stubborn tactics, Puel was apparently on the verge of being axed. But today, we saw a more direct Leicester City, not the one that solely tried to focus on possession-based football - something that didn't suit the likes of Vardy, Maddison and Albrighton.

They defended in numbers, frustrated Chelsea and provided the right service to Vardy, especially in the second half.

There was a systematic approach, a specific game plan divided into two halves. In the first, the away side maintained a certain shape and in the second, pushed further up the pitch and grabbed their opportunity with both hands.

A tactical masterclass indeed, from Claude Puel.

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Edited by Sai Krishna