Late Chelsea Goal Ends Foxes' Winning Streak

The Premier League 2 clash at Kingsmeadow saw last season's top two go head-to-head for the first time in 2020/21.

Two changes in personnel were made to the City team that convincingly beat Tottenham Hotspur Under-23s on Monday, with Demarai Gray coming in to get some more minutes under his belt.

There was also a change of shape as the Foxes reverted to a 3-5-2 formation, with Shane Flynn and Callum Hulme on the flanks and Gray up top with Admiral Muskwe.

After three straight Premier League 2 victories, confidence was running through the side and Callum Wright created a half chance early on, flicking Layton Ndukwu's corner towards goal, but the ball was swiftly claimed by Lucas Bergstrom.

Ndukwu took control of another set piece, forcing Bergstrom to tip his in-swinging free-kick over the bar, before Gray's shot from a tight angle was also parried by the Chelsea 'keeper.

There was a lack of clear cut chances in the second quarter, though a speculative effort from Wright went wide, while Ben Leathers had to cut out Valentino Livramento's dangerous cross at the other end.

Chelsea went close when Henry Lawrence let the ball run across his body and tried to curl it into the corner, though it landed past the post. Lawrence then showed superb skill to beat two and set up Livramento, who got his left-footed effort all wrong.

The hosts' pressure paid off four minutes before the break as Livramento turned provider, crossing for 18-year-old Myles Peart-Harris to provide a low, first-time finish.

Leicester hit back on 52 minutes when Shane Flynn's cross was diverted on target by Muskwe and Bergstrom failed to collect the low header.

It almost got even better for the away side just minutes after the equaliser, but Chelsea's stopper did well to keep out Wright's fierce long-range strike.

Chelsea were still a threat going forward and had two opportunities of their own in quick succession, but Charlie Brown and Faustino Anjorin both fired over the bar. Soon after, Levi Colwill's cross was heading into the top corner until Jakub Stolarczyk tipped it over the bar.

City had plenty of late chances themselves and Muskwe could have doubled his tally for the evening when Gray forced Bergstrom into a mistake and set up the Foxes No.9, but the shot-stopper recovered to save Muskwe's effort before he headed narrowly wide from the resulting corner.

Chelsea's substitutes made an impact. Bryan Fiabema forced a low save after creating an angle down the right and Lewis Bate found Stolarczyk, once again, in the way of his drive from range.

The crucial moment came on 88 minutes, though. City failed to clear their lines and Lawrence hammered the ball into the roof of the net, despite the best efforts of Darragh O'Connor, who attempted to block the ball on the line.

Major moment…

The game was evenly balanced until Chelsea got themselves back in front via Henry Lawrence's 88th-minute strike and there was little time for the Foxes to respond for a second time.

They had already done so when Admiral Muskwe cancelled out Myles Peart-Harris' opener, but with just two minutes of normal time remaining, Lawrence's effort proved to be enough for the hosts. 

Where does it leave us?

Despite a valiant effort in west London, the Foxes slip to eighth in the Premier League 2 Division 1 table, on 12 points from nine games.

Coming up…

City's Development Squad turn their attention to Papa John's Trophy action on Tuesday evening when they travel to face Sky Bet League Two side Salford City at Moor Lane in the Second Round (7pm kick-off GMT).

The details…

City: Stolarczyk, Leathers, O'Connor, Nelson (Wakeling 45'), Wright (c), Hulme, Leshabela, Ndukwu (McAteer 64'), Flynn (Reghba 84)', Muskwe, Gray

Subs not used: Suengchitthawon, Odunze

Goal: Muskwe 52'

Photo: Chelsea FC

All times GMT.