Chelsea have won back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since a run of five victories between November and December 2024.
Image credit: Janty
Chelsea secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Leicester City at Stamford Bridge, with Marc Cucurella scoring the decisive goal in the second half.
The win moves Chelsea into fourth place in the Premier League, keeping their Champions League hopes alive.
Despite controlling possession, Enzo Maresca’s side struggled to break down Leicester’s well-organized defense.
The game saw Cole Palmer miss a penalty in the first half, but Cucurella’s second-half strike ensured Chelsea continued their four-match winning streak at home.
Match Highlights
First Half: Palmer’s Miss and Chelsea’s Struggles
Chelsea dominated possession in the early stages but failed to create clear-cut opportunities.
Their best chance came in the 22nd minute when they were awarded a penalty after a handball in the Leicester box.
Cole Palmer stepped up to take it, but Leicester’s goalkeeper Mads Hermansen guessed correctly and made a crucial save.
Cole Palmer’s reaction to missing his first penalty for Chelsea: 😮 pic.twitter.com/lvrnphhELr
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) March 9, 2025
Palmer, who had previously scored 13 consecutive penalties in the Premier League, suffered his first miss from the spot, leaving Chelsea frustrated.
Leicester, playing with a defensive back-five, absorbed pressure and had a half-chance when Patson Daka tested Djordje Petrović, but the Chelsea goalkeeper dealt with it comfortably.
Second Half: Cucurella Delivers the Winner
Cucurella fires Chelsea pass Leicester.
Image credit: Elvis Tunde
Chelsea continued to push for a breakthrough, and it finally came in the 60th minute.
Enzo Fernández played a precise pass to Marc Cucurella, who fired a powerful shot past Hermansen to give Chelsea the lead.
Leicester nearly equalized when Tosin Adarabioyo deflected a cross onto his own crossbar in the 75th minute, but Chelsea managed to hold on.
Team Performance Analysis
Chelsea:
- Strengths: Dominated possession, solid defensive performance, resilience in tight games.
- Weaknesses: Struggled to convert chances, lacked creativity in the final third.
- Key Player: Marc Cucurella – Scored the winning goal and was crucial defensively.
Chelsea’s defensive improvement was evident, as they secured their third clean sheet in four home games.
However, their lack of cutting edge in attack is something Maresca will need to address before tougher matches ahead.
Leicester City:
- Strengths: Disciplined defensive setup, strong goalkeeping from Mads Hermansen.
- Weaknesses: Ineffective attack, lack of confidence in possession.
- Key Player: Mads Hermansen – Saved a penalty and made multiple crucial stops.
Leicester’s winless streak has now stretched to six matches, leaving them deep in the relegation zone with 17 points.
Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy made tactical adjustments, but his side still struggled to create goal-scoring chances.
What’s Next?
Chelsea:
- Next Premier League fixture: Arsenal (Away)
- Focus: Improving attacking play and maintaining their top-four position.
Leicester City:
- Next Premier League fixture: West Ham (Home)
- Focus: Ending their winless streak and escaping the relegation zone.
Final Thoughts
Chelsea’s win keeps them in the race for Champions League qualification, but they will need a more fluid attacking performance against tougher opponents like Arsenal.
Leicester, meanwhile, must find a way to regain confidence and pick up points in their battle for survival.
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