Chelsea strengthened their Champions League qualification hopes with a 1-0 victory over Leicester on Sunday, thanks to Marc Cucurella’s powerful strike.
Cucurella’s second-half goal at Stamford Bridge lifted Chelsea above Manchester City into fourth place in the Premier League, two points clear of City in the race for a top-four finish and a guaranteed Champions League spot.
It was Chelsea’s fourth win in their last 12 league matches as they responded to head coach Enzo Maresca’s challenge to win all their remaining home games.
While Maresca believes this should be enough for Champions League qualification, Chelsea will need to improve on their underwhelming performance against second-bottom Leicester.
Cole Palmer missed a penalty for Chelsea and was later substituted, extending his goal and assist drought to seven league games. His frustrated body language has drawn criticism.
Maresca, who led Leicester to promotion last season before leaving the club, watched as his former side struggles to stay afloat in the Premier League.
Leicester have lost five consecutive league matches and sit six points from safety, seemingly destined for relegation.
Before the match, Chelsea legends Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Dennis Wise, Kerry Dixon, and Ron Harris took to the pitch to celebrate the club’s 120th anniversary, but this was far from a celebratory performance for the Blues.
A clumsy challenge by Victor Kristiansen on Jadon Sancho resulted in a penalty for Chelsea in the first half.
Palmer, usually a reliable penalty taker, stepped up to end his drought but saw his effort saved by Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.
It was Palmer’s first-ever missed penalty, and Leicester nearly made him pay immediately.
