Chelsea move FOUR POINTS clear at the top of the Premier League with Antonio Rudiger, N'Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic all on target in a classy 3-0 victory to heap more misery on dire Leicester
- Premier League leaders Chelsea continue to march on as they took an impressive 3-0 win at Leicester
- Antonio Rudiger opened the scoring after 14 minutes when he headed home from a Ben Chilwell corner
- Former Foxes player N'Golo Kante burst forward and was unmarked as he struck home from outside the box
- Leicester changed the system at half-time bringing James Maddison and Kelechi Iheanacho onto the pitch
- Chelsea added a third through substitute Christian Pulisic and also had three goals disallowed for offside
Chelsea's victory was embarrassingly one-sided and to rub into the wound for Leicester fans, it was two of their heroes who were instrumental.
N'Golo Kante, part of the 2016 Foxes title team, scored the visitor's second goal to make the result a formality after only 28 minutes.
Ben Chilwell set up the opener and was excellent throughout along with his fellow Chelsea wing-back Reece James.
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He is no longer liked by Leicester fans but he doesn't care. When he trotted over to take a corner to jeers from around the ground, he pointedly placed his arms above his head to applaud the noisy travelling fans who delighted in another away-day triumph.
If Manchester City and Liverpool were considered pre-season favourites to win the Premier League, nobody is ignoring Chelsea any more on this form.
Thomas Tuchel's side are top of the table and have won their last four away games in all competitions without conceding. Indeed, they haven't been beaten outside Stamford Bridge in the league and the only player to score against them is Mo Salah from the penalty spot.
This was as straightforward as you are ever going to get.
Leicester, already without Wesley Fofana and James Justin to long-term injuries, missed Youri Tielemans with a calf problem.
Brendan Rodgers decided to leave James Maddison and Kelechi Iheanacho on the bench to try and make a fight of it rather than a football match.
But the tactical plan backfired disastrously. Jonny Evans and Wilfried Ndidi gave fouls away in the opening minutes but they couldn't stop Chelsea domination.
Antoni Rudiger headed Chelsea in front after 14 minutes – the fourth time in five matches that Leicester have conceded from a corner – and Kante took advantage of a backpedalling defence to make it 2-0.
By the time substitute Christian Pulisic added a third after 71 minutes, Leicester were imploring the final whistle to be blown.
Remarkably, Chelsea put the ball into their net three more times in the closing stages. They were all ruled out for offside but a final scoreline of 6-0 would have been a more accurate reflection of the game.
The only downside for the Londoners ahead of Tuesday's Champions League tie against Juventus was the sight of Jorginho hobbling off towards the end though the Italian was able to walk the perimeter of the pitch without assistance.
Chelsea welcomed back Mason Mount for their trip to the King Power after teeth problems while Rodgers gave a clue to his intentions by choosing midfield scuffler Boubakare Soumare to replace Tielemans.
It didn't make any difference because Leicester couldn't get anywhere near their opponents.
Chilwell had already burst forward and hit the top of the crossbar by the time the opening goal arrived.
It all started with the Chelsea press hurrying Caglar Soyuncu into conceding a throw. From there, Chelsea won a corner and Rudiger was able to beat Timothy Castagne's challenge and flick in Chilwell's delivery with his head despite facing away from goal.
Kante nearly added a second as Schmeichel blocked his shot with his legs and Mount floated a free-kick narrowly over after Daniel Amartey's panicky trip on the dangerous Callum Hudson-Odoi.
There were plenty of groans from Leicester fans because of the way they were being dominated but things got even worse after 28 minutes.
Reece James switched a pass inside to Kante and the Frenchman couldn't believe his luck as he advanced to the edge of the penalty area without a challenge.
Before Evans could decide whether he wanted to intervene or not, Kante thumped a left-footer past Schmeichel into the corner.
By half-time, Leicester – who are now four games without a win - still hadn't managed a shot or corner. They were lucky to be only 2-0 down with Schmeichel's stray pass inviting Hudson-Odoi to score and then Kai Havertz and Kante getting in each other's way in the penalty area.
Rodgers was proactive in the interval by sending on James Maddison and Kelechi Iheanacho for Ademola Lookman and Harvey Barnes and there was marginal improvement though one suspected Chelsea also dropped off the pace.
Amartey finally had a shot on goal for the home side saved by Mendy but Chelsea were still in cruise control. The movement of wing-backs James and Chilwell in particular was spellbinding with both men popping up in the centre-forward's position at times.
Chilwell had a shot tipped around the post by Schmeichel but the third goal did eventually arrive courtesy of two Tuchel substitutes.
Ziyech's trickery in the box was far too good for Soyuncu and when he rolled a pass into the six-yard box Pulisic couldn't miss from close range.
'We put in a huge effort attacking and defending. The players got full praise,' said Tuchel, who nonetheless admitted he wished the third goal had come earlier.
'I thought we could have been more precise in the final third because we had such good ball recovery high up the pitch. I am happy but there is also room for improvement.
'N'Golo always seems to find another gear and I am happy that Christian came back (from Covid and injury) and was decisive straight away. He makes intensive sprints on and off the ball and is hungry to score. One of his key qualities is arriving in the six-yard box.'
Rodgers was unhappy Leicester fans booed his team at the end of both halves, particularly the first.
'You can see why Chelsea are European champions. They were a much better team,' he said.
Sportsmail's Kieran Lynch provided live Premier League coverage of Leicester vs Chelsea, including build-up, team news and updates.
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Sportsmail Reporter Host commentator
The boos go around the King Power and Chelsea march on and are now six points clear at the top of the table before their rivals play across the rest of the weekend.
Goals from Antonio Rudiger, N'Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic hand Thomas Tuchel's side the three points and they look every bit the team that can potentially win the league this season.
Concerning for Leicester though and their worrying home form goes on.
Three minutes of stoppage time.
The cameras show Youri Tielemans in the stands. How the Foxes could have done with him today.
Chilwell is keen to get one against his former side as he has a crack from outside the box but it's not troubling Schmeichel and goes well over.
Chilwell again goes slightly early before he plays the ball to James.
James plays a 1-2 with Ziyech before tucking the ball into the corner like he's an accomplished striker and it's unfortunate for him that it was disallowed.
Chelsea have had the ball in the back of the net six times, only three have stood but all the offsides have been correct decisions.
First corner goes behind for another, while the second attempt by Maddison is too deep for everyone in the box and it goes out for a Chelsea throw-in.
Good save by Mendy!
Maddison in space outside the box looks to curl one home and Chalobah's deflection looks to be taking it to the top corner but Mendy pushes it out wide for a corner.
Chilwell makes his run just a moment too early before he plays in Pulisic who for one second thought he had his second goal.
Ndidi can't quite squeeze the ball into the path of Vardy after some top defending from Chalobah.
Replays show Vardy probably would have been offside if he had broke through.
Concern for Chelsea as Jorginho appears to have a problem with his hamstring.
Ruben Loftus Cheek comes on in his place.
Soumare's day is done and youngster Dewsbury-Hall comes on in his place.
Ziyech's shot hits a Leicester defender before finding Pulisic in an offside position. The American laid the ball off for Hudson-Odoi to poke the ball home but it's quickly disallowed and it's still 3-0 but another warning for the hosts.
Ziyech's shot hits a Leicester defender before finding Pulisic in an offside position. The American laid the ball off for Hudson-Odoi to poke the ball home but it's quickly disallowed and it's still 3-0 but another warning for the hosts.
The two substitutes again link up and this time the American scores.
Chalobah plays the ball between two Leicester defenders to Ziyech who finds Pulisic who ran off the back of Evans and pokes the ball home and surely that's game over now.
Nice footwork by Soumare outside the box gives himself space and he tries to thread through Vardy but instead finds Silva who is able to clear.
What a chance this is for Chelsea and it's the substitutes linking up.
Ziyech with an inviting ball around the Leicester defence and Pulisic looks to poke the ball home but he puts it wide.
Perhaps a slight push in the back from Amartey put him off as he went for the strike.
Mendy gets a yellow card for time wasting and the goalkeeper faces the wrath of Tuchel who is not happy at the needless booking.
Another chance for Leicester as a lovely ball from Maddison finds Vardy who gets under the ball and heads well over.
Big opportunity.
Brilliant strike by Amartey and a fantastic save from Mendy!
It comes from absolutely nowhere as the Leicester player produces a cracking strike from a good 30 yards out and Mendy was forced to dive and tip the ball over the bar when it was heading for the top corner.
Double change for Chelsea as Havertz and Mount are replaced by Pulisic and Ziyech.
Another chance for Chelsea as Rudiger finds Hudson-Odoi who cuts inside Albrighton and searches for the top corner but it goes just over the bar. Would have been a super goal.
Another ball over the top from Chelsea this time from Chalobah to Chilwell who wins a corner.
The left-back plays in the corner but Soumare clears the ball away from danger.
Not so good from Mendy as he misses a cross from Albrighton but is able to gather it at the second attempt after the ball comes back off James.
Chance for Leicester as Maddison attempts to curl one in from outside the box and the ball bounces awkwardly in front of Mendy who reads it well and is able to make the save.
Havertz finds Hudson-Odoi who is given no time on the ball as Albrighton rushes onto him and puts the ball out for a corner.
The ball is whipped into the box and Schmeichel is able to get up highest and the punch ball out of danger.
Hudson-Odoi tries to steer in a low shot but his effort is tame and Schmeichel gathers it at his near post.
Top save by Schmeichel!
Ball over the top from Thiago Silva is brilliant into the path of Hudson-Odoi on the left wing.
Hudson-Odoi pulls it back to Chilwell who lets fire and there might even be a deflection and Schmeichel pushes it wide for a corner.
The resulting corner comes to nothing as Leicester clear.
Iheanacho tries a ball over the top to Vardy but the execution isn't there. Vardy applauds his team-mate as it was the right thinking by the substitute.
James accelerates past Soyuncu and tries to find Chilwell but Leicester defend well and there was an important block as Havertz was free in the box.
Lively start for Leicester as Maddison finds Vardy who tries to find Iheanacho in the box but Mendy goes down low to gather the ball.
Leicester get us underway for the second-half. Leicester now with two up top in a changed formation.
James Maddison and Kelechi Iheanacho look ready to come on and it's no surprise after that first-half.
Barnes and Lookman making way.
Boos at the King Power Stadium aimed at the Leicester players.
Leicester had no response to Chelsea who have a 2-0 lead thanks to a Rudiger header and a great Kante strike from outside the box as no Leicester players attempted to put pressure on him.
You'd love to be a fly on the dressing room wall of Leicester as it was a poor first-half display and a lot will have to change for them to get back into this contest.
James takes the free-kick but it hits the wall before Chalobah hacks it with a volley which floats harmlessly into the hands of Schmeichel.
Two minutes of stoppage time.
Yellow card for Jonny Evans who fouls Kai Havertz on the edge of the box. It was brilliant by the German who collected a long ball by Mendy with a excellent first touch and drove forward.
It was a 4 on 3 moment and the foul was important for Leicester. Schmeichel also has a yellow card for his protests.
Albrighton penalised for a foul on Chilwell not for the first time. Those two have been at it all half with the Chelsea man coming out on top so far.
Barnes tries to flick the ball over a couple of Chelsea players and charge into the box but said Chelsea defenders block him off.
Kai Havertz not long after gives away another free-kick which Lookman whips into the box but Evans is unable to get on the end of it.
Lookman's cross is headed away by Havertz and Chelsea break on the counter attack through Hudson Odoi.
It leads to a nice 1-2 with Chilwell and Mount on the left flank before the full-back puts a ball in and Kante and Havertz get in each other's way otherwise it could have been 3-0.
Havertz looked like he was going for a spectacular overhead kick but Kante was steaming in with a header and they got in each other's way.
Barnes is tripped by Kante and gets awarded a free-kick to some ironic cheers by the home support.
Rare chance for them to put a ball into the box.
Chelsea in full control as it stands and will be heading six points clear unless Leicester can mount a comeback.
Rodgers is probably just hoping his side can get into half-time at 2-0 before things get any worse.
It almost seems impossible for Leicester to put together a few passes at the moment and looks like Rodgers needs to change things tactically.
Could be 3-0 as Schmeichel gives away the ball to Hudson-Odoi but Chelsea fail to take advantage as Leicester defenders get back to put a block in.
Brilliant work by James to turn around a Leicester player and pass to Kante who drives forwards with no one closing him down.
He's pretty much given the freedom of Leicester as no-one looks to close him down as he fires home from outside the box against his former side.
Chelsea 2-0 up now and looking very strong.
Leicester have the ball in the back of the net but it's offside and the decision is correct.
Albrighton perhaps takes one touch too many before crossing the ball into the path of Lookman who does well to put the ball in the back of the net.
But it's still 1-0 to Chelsea.
Mason Mount takes the free kick and it starts to dip but not quick enough as it lands on the roof of the net.
Wasted opportunity for Leicester who win the ball high up via Lookman, but a pass to Vardy is well read by Thiago Silva who prevents the striker a chance to go 1 v 1 on the goalkeeper.
At the other end Amartey gives away a foul for taking down Hudson-Odoi who was just lining up to take a shot from outside the box.
It should be 2-0!
Ball is played through the centre of Leicester's defence to Kante who tries to lift it over Schmeichel who spreads himself wide to stop the ball going past him. Chelsea then win another corner and it goes to Thiago Silva but fortunately the ball goes away from danger for the Foxes.
Kante's chance was too easy for Chelsea to by-pass the Leicester defence from a route-one ball.
So, it's all to do now for Leicester against a Chelsea side who have only conceded one goal from open play in the league.
Only three teams have conceded more goals than the Foxes this term which is a worrying stat for Brendan Rodgers' side.
Chelsea win their first corner of the game to be taken by Ben Chilwell.
It's a dangerous ball into the box and it meets the head of Antonio Rudiger who guides his effort into the far corner to open the scoring.
He had a couple of Leicester players around him including Jonny Evans, but not enough pressure was put on the German who gets his second goal of the season.
N'Golo Kante with a cross field pass to Reece James which goes over the full-back and out for a throw in.
The camera cuts to Thomas Tuchel who doesn't look so pleased at his side's start despite their possession.
N'Golo Kante another ex-Leicester player goes on a nice run and tries to slide in Kai Havertz but Evans reads it well.
Not long before that James fired a cross into the box which Schmeichel had to punch clear.
Dangerous attack for Leicester as Jamie Vardy on by the by-line looks to find Ademola Lookman in the box but Antonio Rudiger not for the first time this season shows great defensive work to clear the ball before it can find the winger.
Ben Chilwell hits the crossbar!
Quick thinking from a free-kick from Chelsea's own half as the ball is played forward to the former Leicester full-back who is through and he beats the keeper but hits the crossbar.
It's met with big cheers from the Leicester crowd and Chilwell knows he should have scored.
Foul is is given as Jonny Evans catches Kai Havertz with his right arm after Rudiger played a long ball forward.
Chance for Chelsea to whip the ball into the box but they play it short.
The players take the knee and it's Kai Havertz who gets us going.
Big boos for Ben Chilwell as his name is read out. Paul Tierney is the referee today.
Jorginho leads the Chelsea team as captain today before Kasper Schmeichel brings the Foxes out.
Less than five minutes until kick-off!
Two of Chelsea's most important players this season have been the full-backs and they have been receiving praise from Rio Ferdinand Joe Cole on BT Sport.
Cole said: 'Exceptional players, technicials, but tactically they've taken to this new role so well.
'Especially with Ben, he had the disappointing summer with England not playing a minute and found himself pushed out by Alonso, another fantastic footballer, and he's pushed his way back in and he's in the form of his life. The pair of them are exceptional and the age of them, they'll be around a long time.'
Ferdinand added: 'The best teams have in-house competition. You can see it with them, they're friends, they're close, but there's an underlying competition which drives them and will elevate them through the levels. Their output at the moment is phenomenal, that won't stay the same I'm sure because it's never been seen before, but they're going to push each other.
'We saw it with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Robertson, who have a fantastic relationship on and off the field. The manager must be looking on thinking, I want more of that.'
The German boss has told BT Sport: 'It's always a bit tricky to prepare after the international break, we had our team back on Thursday, Thiago Silva arrived yesterday - and the 12.30 away game is new to us, to adapt to this early kick-off and adapt to our schedule.
'But we learn, and we develop the schedule that hopefully gives us the chance to have a good performance because we need to be at top level to get the three points.
'We had two tough matches against Leicester last season - one we lost at Wembley and one final for us, for Champions League qualification which we won at home with fans.
'Two very close matches - they are a very talented side with a good coach so it's a tough one and we need to be on our top level.'
Youri Tielemans was an expected absence following an injury he picked up against Leeds. Unfortunately for the Foxes, Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Portuguese full-back Ricardo Pereira 'felt his hamstring' in training on Friday which is why he is out.
Rodgers also told BT Sport: 'I think with these games coming up in this period, it's where the season really gets going now and there's no better game than to play the European champions and a great team.
'We have to go and play with no fear and when you do that, you always give yourself a chance to win.
'Chelsea have got everything, you only need to look at the bench. They have assembled an incredible squad of players and they have still got a few out.
'In these types of games, the big thing is concentration and physicality. We know we have talent so we know we can cause them problems as well and we've shown that.'
Chelsea have lost just three of their last 18 Premier League matches against Leicester, although one of which came in Frank Lampard's last game in charge at the King Power last season.
In all competitions Leicester have beaten Chelsea twice in 2021 and if they were to win today they would join Manchester United as the only teams in the last decade to beat the Blues three times in one calendar year.
What will concern Leicester fans though is that they have kept just one clean sheet in their last 17 league games.
Betfair unsurprisingly has Chelsea favourites to win today's game after their excellent start this season.
Leicester - 18/5
Draw - 27/10
Chelsea - 4/5
Last time these sides met in the league turned out to be a pivotal day in the fight for Champions League places in the 2020/21 season as Chelsea recorded a 2-1 victory over Leicester at Stamford Bridge on May 18.
Antonio Rudiger and Jorginho put Chelsea 2-0 up and the Foxes were unable to mount a comeback despite Kelechi Iheanacho's 76th minute goal.
If Leicester had scored an equaliser that day they would be sitting in the Champions League places by finishing fourth ahead of Chelsea.
Wouldn't have mattered too much for Thomas Tuchel's side as they would have qualified anyway through winning the Champions League.
After two years in which they've spent the majority of the seasons in the top four only to miss out on the Champions League places late in the campaign - this has been a slow start for the Foxes who are only 12th in the league.
Brendan Rodgers' side looked like they were picking up momentum after wins over Manchester United and Brentford, only to then lose against Arsenal and draw at Leeds.
A win against a tough Chelsea side who have only conceded one goal in open play all season could be what they need to light up their season.
Chelsea are top of the league and could go six points clear before their rivals play their games this weekend.
Thomas Tuchel's side fell to a disappointing 1-1 draw with Burnley and will be looking to return to winning ways against Leicester who are unbeaten in their last three home outings against Chelsea.
Two changes for the visitors as well as Mason Mount and Trevoh Chalobah come in for Ross Barkley and Andreas Christensen who are both on the bench.
Starting with the Leicester line-up.
Two changes from the Foxes from the side that drew with Leeds before the international break as Marc Albrighton and Daniel Amartey come in for Youri Tielemans and Ricardo Pereira.
Fans are piling to the stadium ahead of kick-off at 12.30pm. The team news should be out in just under ten minutes
And welcome all to Sportsmail's live coverage of Leicester's clash with Chelsea in the Premier League.
The international break is over and we are back with a bang with what should be a fascinating game as league leaders Chelsea face a tricky trip to the King Power Stadium.
Kieran Lynch with you today and I'll be bringing you all the build-up, team news and live updates throughout the match.
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