City Narrowly Beaten By Champions Chelsea
An end-to-end opening period saw opportunities fall to both sides, as Kasper Schmeichel collected an effort from Alvaro Morata, before Jamie Vardy saw his effort blocked by Blues skipper Cesar Azpilicueta.
Schmeichel then turned away David Luiz’s ambitious 35-yard free kick with ease midway through the first period, while Vardy had another chance to break the deadlock with 26 minutes on the clock, but his effort rolled just past Thibaut Courtois’ upright.
A sudden downpour created difficult conditions on Filbert Way, but both outfits continued to flow forward. A huge chance for Islam Slimani to score his third goal of the season came with five minutes of the first half to play, only for the Algerian to be denied by Courtois.
Just a minute later, Chelsea took the lead. Azpilicueta’s cross from the right found Morata, who got up well to nod past Schmeichel and put his side in front.
Christian Fuchs, Vardy and Matty James all had strikes blocked late in the first period, but the Foxes could not breach Chelsea’s back line, while Schmeichel was alert to Victor Moses’ shot on the stroke of half-time.
Antonio Conte’s men doubled their advantage five minutes into the second half through former Fox N’Golo Kanté, whose low effort found its way into the back of the net.
City responded brilliantly and were level just after the hour mark. Courtois raced out and brought down Vardy, who won and converted the penalty to halve the deficit at King Power Stadium.
While Chelsea looked dangerous on the counter-attack, Craig Shakespeare’s men looked impressive late on, but could not break down their opponents for a second time in the game.
After Schmeichel made a fine point-blank save to deny substitute Willian from close range, at the other end, Andy King came agonisingly close to getting onto the end of a Fuchs long throw, but it wasn't to be.
Key moment
Leicester City know just how valuable a goal early in the second half can be given they doubled their advantage after the break against Brighton & Hove Albion in their last outing at King Power Stadium.
But that was exactly what Chelsea did on Saturday and a two-goal deficit proved to be just too much for the Foxes to recover from, as N’Golo Kanté added to Alvaro Morata’s opening strike.
Who impressed?
A menace throughout 90 minutes, Jamie Vardy thoroughly deserved to score his spot-kick against the defending champions, having won the penalty himself.
His third goal in four Premier League games provided the Foxes with hope, but City couldn’t capitalise on their late spell of pressure, as Chelsea returned to London with all three points.
Where do we stand?
After a string of difficult games against Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea, the Foxes now sit 17th in the Premier League table, three points above the drop-zone after four games.
Coming up…
Another tricky fixture follows for Craig Shakespeare’s Foxes, who head to Huddersfield Town on Saturday 16 September (3pm kick-off).
David Wagner’s men have won two and drawn one of their opening three Premier League fixtures and next face West Ham United on Monday night.