Barnes & Chilwell On Target In Chelsea Draw
Manager Brendan Rodgers was able to welcome Jamie Vardy back into his starting XI, while Hamza Choudhury also started from the off at King Power Stadium.
While Chelsea settled into the game quickly, the hosts created the best opportunity of the opening 25 minutes as Ayoze Pérez chested the ball into the path of Vardy, who forced Willy Caballero into a smart save.
Blues midfielder Mason Mount then struck the City wall with a free-kick, and Kasper Schmeichel had to tip Pedro’s looping cross over the bar just after the half-hour mark.
A flowing move from City followed, as Youri Tielemans and Chilwell combined before Barnes fired over the bar as the Foxes grew into the game.
The final opportunity of the first half then fell to Chilwell, who controlled James Maddison’s corner before hooking a half-volley just over the bar.
Inside the second period’s opening minute, Chelsea took the lead, as Antonio Rüdiger headed home Mount’s corner for 1-0.
However, the Foxes rallied and were level eight minutes later through Barnes, who collected Tielemans’ pass before cutting inside and curling a deflected effort past Willy Caballero.
With plenty of momentum, Rodgers’ side turned the game on its head, with Belgium international Tielemans again the provider.
Chilwell’s initial cross to the back post was brought under control by Ricardo Pereira, who offloaded to Tielemans. The No.8 then sent a delivery across the face of goal, and Chilwell was there to fire home at the back post.
Tielemans had an effort of his own with 69 minutes on the clock, as he forced Caballero into parrying his 25-yard drive to safety.
However, it was Chelsea's turn to equalise, as Rüdiger headed home another Mount delivery to make it 2-2.
City had two huge opportunities to win it late on, but Jonny Evans headed off target before Barnes slotted just inches wide of the mark with around 10 minutes to play.
Major moment
After falling behind just seconds after the interval, the Foxes needed a swift response in order to get themselves back on level terms.
They did exactly that, as Harvey Barnes scored for the third-straight Premier League game to make it 1-1, before Ben Chilwell and Antonio Rüdiger later found the target.
Who impressed?
Gerry Taggart told LCFC Radio: “I wanted to give it to Harvey Barnes, and I thought James Maddison was very influential today. Ricardo Pereira again was very good and Youri Tielemans was decent. Ben Chilwell in the second half after his goal was too, but for me, there was an unlikely hero today who popped up, created chances and was fouled a lot.
“He was a threat throughout the game without getting on the scoresheet or creating that killer ball, and that was Ayoze Pérez.”
Where do we stand?
The Foxes remain eight points clear of Chelsea in fourth position, and are now 15 points clear of Manchester United, who later play Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Coming up…
Following the winter break, City take on Wolves at Molineux Stadium on Friday 14 February (8pm kick-off), before an encounter with Manchester City follows on Saturday 22 February (5:30pm kick-off).