EPL: Chelsea Dominates Leicester with Jackson and Fernandez on Target

Jackson and Fernandez Shine as Chelsea Beats Leicester 2-1

Leicester City struggled to create scoring opportunities in the first half, with their first shot on goal not...

Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez scored as Chelsea secured a 2-1 win over Leicester City, maintaining third in the Premier League table.

Chelsea secured a convincing away victory at Leicester, thanks to goals from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez. The win marked a dominant display by the Blues, who asserted their control from the outset.

Nicolas Jackson continued his impressive away form, scoring his fifth goal in four consecutive matches on the road. The 23-year-old striker showcased his determination and skill, outmuscling defender Wout Faes to win a long ball and finish expertly in the 15th minute, after being played through by Enzo Fernandez.

Enzo Fernandez sealed the win for Chelsea, heading in from close range after goalkeeper Mads Hermansen saved Nicolas Jackson's initial effort. The goal capped off a strong team performance by the Blues, who demonstrated their attacking prowess.

Leicester City's afternoon was compounded by a late penalty conceded in the 95th minute. Jordan Ayew converted the spot kick after Romeo Lavia fouled Bobby de Cordova-Reid in the box, providing a consolation goal for the Foxes.

The match marked a difficult return to Premier League action for Leicester, who suffered an early setback with the loss of midfielder Harry Winks to an ankle injury in the 11th minute. The Foxes struggled to regain their footing after Winks' departure, ultimately succumbing to Chelsea's dominant display.

Leicester City struggled to create scoring opportunities in the first half, with their first shot on goal not arriving until the 39th minute. Kasey McAteer's breakaway effort nearly found the bottom corner, and Wilfred Ndidi missed a gilt-edged chance just before halftime.

Chelsea dominated possession throughout the match, controlling over 66% of the ball on a cold and wet afternoon at the King Power Stadium. The Blues created several scoring chances, including a disallowed goal for Noni Madueke due to offside. Moises Caicedo and Joao Felix, who earned his first Premier League start since May 2023, also squandered opportunities.

The Blues continued to press in the second half, with Cole Palmer's close-range shot cleared off the line by his own teammate, Noni Madueke, in an unfortunate turn of events.

The victory propels Chelsea to third place in the Premier League table with 22 points, ahead of the remaining weekend fixtures. Leicester City, meanwhile, remains 16th with 10 points, facing an uphill battle to climb the table.

Leicester City faced a daunting task against Chelsea's talented and expensively assembled squad. However, the loss of midfielder Harry Winks early in the game significantly exacerbated their challenges. Winks' absence deprived Leicester of a key player who excels at controlling the tempo of the game, progressing the ball up the pitch, and calming the team's nerves against stronger opponents.

The Foxes lost control of the midfield after Winks' departure, and his replacement, Oliver Skipp, struggled to fill the void. Skipp, along with Boubakary Soumare and Wilfred Ndidi, received yellow cards within a 19-minute span, highlighting Leicester's disciplinary struggles. Soumare and Ndidi were fortunate to escape red cards for their reckless tackles on Joao Felix and Cole Palmer, which could have further compromised Leicester's chances.

Despite their best efforts, Leicester struggled to regain control of the game. The team's inability to dictate the tempo of the match without Winks was evident. As the Foxes look ahead, they must find a way to better control games without their influential midfielder, particularly if his ankle injury persists.

Nicolas Jackson's transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. The Senegalese striker has evolved from an inconsistent and enigmatic player to one of the most feared marksmen in the Premier League. His impressive tally of 17 goals last season surpassed Didier Drogba's maiden season haul at Stamford Bridge.

Despite his goal-scoring prowess, Jackson's finishing was not always clinical, as evidenced by his ranking third in big chances missed last season, behind Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez. However, this term has seen Jackson not only score with regularity but also demonstrate his tactical acumen. His impressive work rate, pressing ability, and link-up play with Cole Palmer have made him an invaluable asset to Chelsea.

Jackson's stats are a testament to his outstanding form. With 11 league goals since May last season, only Manchester City's Erling Haaland has outscored him. This season, Jackson has contributed seven goals and three assists in 12 league matches, cementing his status as one of the Premier League's top strikers.

In contrast, Enzo Fernandez has struggled to justify his £107m price tag since joining Chelsea. However, recent performances have hinted at a resurgence. An assist against Arsenal earlier in November and a goal at Leicester have provided a much-needed boost to his confidence. Fernandez's celebration, where he put his fingers to his lips, may have been a message to his critics, signaling that he is determined to silence his doubters.

Enzo Fernandez won player of the match.