The 2016-17 EFL Cup third round fixture between Chelsea and Leicester City provided the most entertaining fixture of the night as both teams were involved in an end to end, rollercoaster of a match. Leicester’s two goal lead was erased by the Londons side and despite a late Marcin Wasilewski red card, the Foxes held on to take the game to extra time.
Also Read: Antonio Conte feels Chelsea have to learn from their defeat to Liverpool
Cesc Fabregas stepped up to seize the game by the scruff of the neck in extra time, scoring two goals to send Chelsea through to the fourth round. This will be a welcome result for the Blues following their defeat to Liverpool on Friday.
Let’s take a look and how the players performed.
Leicester City
Ron-Robert Zieler – 7/10
The German stopper had little to do in the first half up until the end, where he was helpless to stop Gary Cahill’s effort. Although he did well to stop Fabregas’ effort at the start of the second half, was beaten all ends up by Azpilicueta’s thumping volley. He was able to stop Diego Costa on numerous occasions to take the game to extra time.
Despite conceding four goals, Zieler had a great game, making a number of important saves.
Danny Simpson – 5.5/10
Simpson was given a tough time throughout the first half by the lively Pedro, although he did provide good support going forward. The former Manchester United man was worse in the second half though as he was pinned back by Chelsea’s attacking barrage.
Wes Morgan – 5/10
The captain had a solid first half right up to the last attack where he lost track of Gary Cahill – who was able to reduce the deficit for Chelsea. Morgan will be disappointed that he wasn’t able to rally his troops into converting their advantage to a victory. He could do absolutely nothing to stop Chelsea’s magnificent second and third goals.
Marcin Wasilewski – 4/10
A big performance from the centre-back in the first half as he ensured Chelsea enjoyed absolutely no success in the final third. Blocks and tackles galore for the big man. Things went down hill after half time though as it was his weak clearance which was led to the equaliser.
He was then sent off for a second bookable offense which was quite worthy of a straight red and killed off any chance of a Leicester win.
Ben Chilwell – 6/10
The teenager added to his growing reputation by putting in a solid performance in the first half. He controlled Moses with ease throughout the game while linking up well with his wingers to provide an extra option in attack.
The second half was a different story though as a rejuvenated Moses got the better of him and kept him on the backfoot throughout.
Demarai Gray – 5.5/10
Gray enjoyed a great start to the night, nicking the ball off Alonso to start the move that led to Leicester’s first goal. The youngster was an all-action figure, though, he will be disappointed in not tracking Azpilicueta’s forward run when the Spaniard scored.
There were a lot of wasted opportunities from Gray though before he was subbed off due to Wasilewski’s red card.
Andy King – 5/10
The long-time Leicester servant deputised well in the heart of the Leicester midfield in the first half. His defensive duties increased in the second half as Chelsea took control of the game but he was completely overrun. Fabregas also escaped his attentions to score Chelsea’s third goal of the night.
Danny Drinkwater – 6/10
Drinkwater provided the assist for the second goal as he intercepted a Chelsea clearance to provide a beautiful ball which Okazaki finished. He found the game much more difficult in the second half as Chelsea got back into the game. He was booked for a challenge on Costa late in the game and wasn’t able to influence the game in extra time.
Jeffrey Schlupp – 6/10
While not as impressive as Gray, the winger enjoyed a great first half which was full of direct running and keeping Chelsea wary with his pace and trickery. His decision making was off in the second half, as he wasted a number of good positions.
Shinji Okazaki – 8/10
Okazaki pounced on some terrible Chelsea play to nod the ball over the line to give Leicester the lead. He followed it up with a great second goal that just about crossed the line. A true poacher’s game for the forward. He was much more subdued in the second half as Chelsea pressed forward. He was brought off for Leonardo Ulloa.
Ahmed Musa – 7/10
The new signing provided a wicked cross that Azpilicueta could only chest into the path of Okazaki to give the Foxes the lead. He really should’ve done better when he raced clear in the second half to go one on one with Begovic. He was subbed off just after as Leicester turned to Jamie Vardy.
Substitutes
Leonardo Ulloa – 5/10
He came on for Okazaki with just around 15 mins to play in normal time and nearly provided a crucial contribution with his first touch of the game. He wasn’t able to do much after that though as Chelsea completely took over the game.
Jamie Vardy – 5/10
Jamie Vardy’s introduction for Ahmed Musa almost paid immediate dividends as he almost forced Begovic into a mistake. He cut a frustrated figure up front as Chelsea dominated the game and gave the hitman precious little to work with.
Daniel Amartey – 5/10
The defender was brought on in injury time for Demarai Gray to take the place of sent off Wasilewski. He could do little to stop Chelsea’s extra-time goals as the Foxes faded.
Chelsea
Asmir Begovic – 6/10
The Chelsea second choice keeper had little to do in the first half than pick the ball out of the net twice. He made an absolutely stunning save on Ahmed Musa when he was one on one with the striker in the second half. He was pretty much a spectator other than that.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 7.5/10
The Spanish full-back, playing on the right side of defence should have done better with the cross that led to Okazaki’s opener. He more than made up for it by scoring an absolute peach of a goal to bring the Blues level. An overall solid performance other than his early mistake.
Gary Cahill – 7.5/10
The captain for the day had a heart in mouth moment as he gave away the ball to Okazaki followed up by a sketchy challenge on Musa. He was quite helpless to prevent both of Leicester’s goals but dragged his team back into the game with a great header to score Chelsea’s opener.
He was an absolute rock in the second half, shutting down the Leicester threat.
David Luiz – 6/10
Luiz started the night with a gorgeous ball for Pedro’s disallowed goal, followed by a lapse in concentration to let Okazaki steal ahead of him for the opener. The Brazilian wasn’t able to intercept Okazaki for Leicester’s second goal either. While he did improve in the second half, he was still a player right on the edge.
Marcos Alonso – 6/10
The debutant had a moment to forget as it was his giveaway that led to Leicester’s opening goal. While he linked up well with Pedro going forward, he failed to pick Okazaki for the second goal. He showed his attacking value in the second half, providing some great crosses.
Nemanja Matic – 7/10
Matic did well to cover the Chelsea defense in most cases but his lack of mobility was an issue in dealing with the speed and agility of the Leicester attackers. He was instrumental as Chelsea took control in the second half, providing great support to both his defenders as well as attackers.
Victor Moses – 6.5/10
He kept getting into good positions in the first half but had little to show for his efforts. He was much improved in the second half as he pushed back young Chilwell and made a number of good passes around the Leicester penalty area.
Cesc Fabregas – 8/10
The out of favour midfielder was extremely tidy in possession, keeping the Chelsea attack ticking. He was an important part of Chelsea’s first two goals – it was his corner steered in by Cahill and it was his cross which eventually led to Azpilicueta’s equaliser.
He took Chelsea through to the finish line by scoring two goals in extra time – including a sublime first goal. A perfect lesson on how to make the most of your opportunities.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6/10
The youngster found it a little difficult to get into the game in the first half but showed glimpses of his undoubted potential with some nifty touches as well good passing. It was his shot which fell to Azpilicueta for Chelsea’s equaliser. The Englishman was subbed off for Costa as Chelsea went for a winner.
Pedro – 6/10
The Spaniard had a lively start to the game, testing Simpson and also had an early goal disallowed for offside followed by a glorious cross that Batshuayi really should have converted. He buzzed around the attacking third with good intent, combining well with the other Chelsea attackers – especially in the second half.
He was subbed off for Hazard in the 89th minute.
Michy Batshuayi – 6/10
The young striker should have really done better when he headed wide – unmarked – from a Pedro cross. He found it a little difficult to deal with the power of both Wasilewski and Morgan but did well to hold his own. He forced a great save from Zieler with a quarter of the game remaining and combined well with Costa.
Substitutes
Diego Costa – 7/10
The in-form man came on with 1/3rd of the game to play as Chelsea hunted for a winner and nearly scored within minutes of coming on as he wasted a great opportunity. He was an absolute livewire, giving Morgan and Wasilewski plenty of trouble and adding greater emphasis to Chelsea’s attacks.
Costa was unusually wasteful though and could’ve ended the game in normal time. He combined well with Hazard for what turned out to be Chelsea’s third goal and made a nuisance of himself, leading to the fourth.
Nathaniel Chalobah – 5/10
The 21-year-old finally made his Chelsea debut, coming on for Batshuayi in the 81st minute. He was comfortable as Leicester did little to trouble the young man.
Eden Hazard – 7/10
The mercurial Belgian came on for Pedro in the 89th minute. He made all the difference in extra time, setting up Fabregas’ first goal as well as playing a big part in the Spaniard’s second.
