Leicester City welcomed Chelsea to the King Power Stadium in the third round of the League Cup on Tuesday night.
Shinji Okazaki scored twice in the opening 34 minutes to send Leicester two goals ahead, but Chelsea were back in the match late in the first period when Gary Cahill headed home.
The visitors then levelled the scores early in the second period when Cesar Azpilicueta found the top corner from distance and that was how it remained at the end of normal time.
Chelsea took control in the early stages of extra-time, however, and scored twice through Cesc Fabregas to book their spot in the fourth round.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live League Cup continues from the King Power Stadium as the English champions Leicester City welcome Chelsea in the third round of the competition. It would be fair to say that this trophy is not a priority for either of these teams this season, but victory tonight would see a big rival eliminated. It should be a cracking all-Premier League affair from the East Midlands!
Tonight will be the 107th meeting between these two teams in all competitions. Chelsea lead the head-to-head record 51 wins to Leicester's 25 and it is a rivalry that dates back to 1905, when Chelsea recorded a 1-0 away win in Division Two. Their last meeting in this competition came in October 2007, when Chelsea reached the quarter-finals with a 4-3 victory on home soil.
In terms of the more recent meetings, the two teams played out a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League in May, but Leicester were 2-1 winners when they welcomed Chelsea to the King Power last season, which was the Foxes first victory over the Blues since February 2001.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the King Power Stadium. Both managers were expected to make sweeping changes from their Premier League clashes at the weekend. Has that happened? Let's take a look at the two XIs tonight...
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TEAMS!
LEICESTER: Zieler; Simpson, Wasilewski, Morgan, Chilwell; Gray, Drinkwater, King, Schlupp; Musa, Okazaki
CHELSEA: Begovic; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Luiz, Alonso; Moses, Fabregas, Matic, Loftus-Cheek, Pedro; Batshuayi
Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri, as expected, has rung the changes from the 3-0 win over Burnley in the Premier League at the weekend, with only Ron-Robert Zieler, Danny Simpson, Wes Morgan and Danny Drinkwater keeping their spots in the XI. A much-changed side sees Ben Chilwell and Marcin Wasilewski start at the back, while Demarai Gray, Jeffrey Schlupp, Ahmed Musa and Shinji Okazaki are also included.
It is a similar story for Chelsea as Antonio Conte makes seven changes to the team that lost against Liverpool on Friday night. Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Gary Cahill keep their spots at the back while Nemanja Matic continues in midfield, but it is otherwise fresh faces for the visitors. Indeed, Asmir Begovic starts in goal, and Marcos Alonso will make his debut for the Blues at left-back. Further forward, Victor Moses, Pedro and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will support lone forward Michy Batshuayi.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just under 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild evening in Leicester. I shall talk about Chelsea and their start to the season a little bit later, but let's start with the home side, who will enter this match off the back of a 3-0 victory over Burnley, which moved them onto seven points from their five Premier League fixtures this term.
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Ranieri's side actually started the new season with a 2-1 defeat at Hull City as the Premier League champions were brought crashing down to earth on the opening weekend. There was clear improvement in their second game of the season at home to Arsenal, however, and they picked up a point in a goalless draw to ensure that they would move off the mark in the 2016-17 season.
Then came a 2-1 victory over Swansea City in the Premier League, but they were thumped 4-1 at Liverpool on September 10 in their first game after the international break. The response was very impressive though as their first ever match in the Champions League ended in a 3-0 victory at Club Brugge.
As mentioned, they will enter this match off the back of a 3-0 win over Burnley in a match where record signing Islam Slimani scored two goals. It is now three wins from their last four games in all competitions, but they are entering a very tough period where includes Chelsea tonight, Manchester United away in the league at the weekend and Porto at home in the Champions League next week.
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In terms of this competition, Leicester overcame Bury in the second round and West Ham United in the third round last season, but went out in the fourth round to Hull City via a penalty shootout. They have actually won the League Cup on three occasions, however, triumphing in 1964, 1997 and 2000 – the last of which occurred when they beat Tranmere Rovers in the final.
As for Chelsea, the Blues have won the League Cup on five occasions. Their first trophy arrived in 1965, while they also triumphed in 1998, 2005, 2007 and 2015. They also went out in the fourth round of the competition last season, however, after losing to Stoke City on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
Unlike Leicester, Chelsea have already had to play a League Cup match this season and the Blues overcame Bristol Rovers 3-2 at Stamford Bridge towards the end of last month to set up this clash with the English champions. The Premier League and FA Cup will be more important to Chelsea this season, but Conte has still selected a strong and experienced team for tonight's match.
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Chelsea opened their 2016-17 campaign with a 2-1 win at home to West Ham United, before making it back-to-back league victories with a 2-1 success at Watford. They then overcame Bristol Rovers in the League Cup, before ending the month with a 3-0 victory over Burnley to move onto nine points.
It has not been a happy September for Chelsea, however, as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Swansea City on September 11, before losing 2-1 at home to Liverpool on Friday night. Those two results have seen them drop into fifth spot in the table and they will be keen to return to winning ways when they travel to Arsenal in the league on Saturday night. What a super game that should be!
It is going to be a very interesting next few weeks for Chelsea as they travel to Arsenal this weekend, before visiting Hull City on October 1. Then comes a home game against Leicester in the league, before welcoming Jose Mourinho and Manchester United on October 23. We will know a lot more about Conte's Chelsea side by the time that the month of November arrives, that is for sure.
1 - Leicester and Chelsea last met in the League Cup in October 2007. Chelsea won 4-3 at Stamford Bridge en-route to the final. Super. pic.twitter.com/XNJBJ2WWET
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 20, 2016
Here we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Let's hope for a cracking game of football between the last two champions of England!
KICKOFF! Leicester kick things off on home soil...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight. This might 'only' be the League Cup, but both managers want to win, that is for sure. Just a reminder that we must have a winner tonight so extra-time and penalties will occur if the sides cannot be separated.
Early attempt from Chelsea, but Moses's strike from distance was always too wide.
Decent work from Gray in a wide position as the Leicester attacker faces up to Alonso before attempting to deliver, but the Chelsea new boy blocks and the ball bounces into Begovic's hands.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Pedro has the ball in the back of the net for Chelsea after collecting a through pass from Luiz before rounding Zieler and finishing, but the offside flag is raised. Replays have shown that it was a very tight call and the Spaniard was very unfortunate there!
It is Chelsea that are enjoying the better of this match at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the Leicester half of the field. Pedro in particular has made a very positive start tonight.
Half-chance for the visitors as Pedro drives down the left before delivering a low cross to Batshuayi, but Zieler does enough to claim and set up a quick counter-attack. Leicester need to be careful here.
Chelsea have a clear shout for a penalty as Wasilewski handles inside his own box, but the referee is not interested. My word, that was just about as clear as they come. Definite spot kick there.
Leicester are just struggling to get going at the moment as Chelsea continue to look the team more likely to make the breakthrough. We have not seen too much from Loftus-Cheek in the opening 13 minutes of this match, but Pedro and Batshuayi have both been dangerous for the visitors here.
Leicester now have a penalty shout as Musa goes down inside the box under a challenge from Cahill, but once again, the referee is not interested. A mistake from Chelsea had allowed Musa to break through on goal, but Luiz and Cahill just about did enough to close out the frontman.
GOAL! Leicester 1-0 Chelsea (Okazaki)
Leicester make the breakthrough in the 17th minute of this match as Okazaki heads home from close range after Chelsea had failed to deal with a cross from Gray. The referee needed confirmation that the ball had passed the line and received it as Leicester move ahead!
Defensively, Chelsea have been very, very poor in the opening 20 minutes of this match. Not what Conte would have been used to at Juventus or the Italian national team, that is for sure.
Chelsea really need to settle here as Leicester threaten to score a second. The home side actually started this match quite slowly, but they have been brilliant in the last 10 minutes or so here.
Just a reminder that N'Golo Kante, who left Leicester for Chelsea in the summer, is on the bench for the visitors tonight. It will be interesting to see what sort of reaction the midfielder receives if he is introduced at some point tonight. Leicester continue to attack down the left side of the field.
Chelsea are finding it difficult to get Loftus-Cheek in the game at the moment as the England Under-21 international attempts to make his mark in the number 10 position. The visitors have a half-chance when Pedro finds Batshuayi at the far post, but the striker's header is wide.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining at the King Power and Leicester still lead courtesy of that close-range header from Okazaki. Chelsea, however, are looking dangerous.
Chelsea are just starting to find space in the final third as Moses and Pedro cut inside, but Leicester are managing the game well at the moment as they continue to concede free kicks to stop threatening situations developing. The visitors are pressing for an equaliser with 31 minutes on the clock.
Wasilewski is far from first choice at Leicester, but the centre-back has been very impressive aerially in the opening 34 minutes of this match. Indeed, most of the high balls into the Leicester box have been headed clear by the powerful defender. Still just the one goal to report in this one.
GOAL! Leicester 2-0 Chelsea (Okazaki)
Leicester score their second of the night as King chips a lovely pass into Okazaki, who smashes the ball into the ground and it bounces over Begovic for his second of the night. What a turn-up here!
Loftus-Cheek has a go for Chelsea after finding space outside the Leicester box, but it is a comfortable save for Zieler, who drops low to collect. Chelsea really need to respond.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and you wonder whether Conte is considering making changes at the interval. Indeed, Hazard, Willian and Costa are all on the bench tonight.
Defensively, Chelsea have been very poor tonight and that will be a worry for Conte ahead of this weekend's Premier League match with Chelsea. Manchester United have suffered three straight defeats in all competitions and Chelsea are on their way to a second straight loss at the moment.
Gray works some space outside the Chelsea box before having a go, but his effort is wide.
Chelsea attempt to work the ball into a wide position following a period of possession, but Moses cannot collect and Leicester break immediately down the other end. Still 2-0 to the Foxes here.
Just the one additional minute at the end of the first period.
GOAL! Leicester 2-1 Chelsea (Luiz)
Chelsea are right back in this match! Cahill is left with a free header from a corner and the centre-back's effort is turned over the line by Luiz, who went flying in with a defender to make sure!
HALF-TIME: Leicester 2-1 Chelsea
Wow what an end to the first period! Leicester were cruising at 2-0 courtesy of a double from Okazaki, but Chelsea are right back in the match after Luiz turned a Cahill header over the line on the stroke of the interval. It has been a brilliant opening 45 minutes of action at the King Power tonight!
STATISTICS! Chelsea have dominated the possession with 63%, while they have registered seven attempts - two of which were on target. Leicester, meanwhile, hit the target with two of their three attempts and they both found the back of the net. No yellow cards to report - the match has flowed!
BENCH WATCH! Leicester have a number of attacking options on their bench tonight, with Vardy, Ulloa and Mahrez all available for Ranieri in the second period. Chelsea boss Conte, meanwhile, has the likes of Hazard, Willian and Costa on the bench. Plenty of talent on the sidelines here!
Half-time: Leicester 2-1 Chelsea pic.twitter.com/kO6JmyZ6PS — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 20, 2016
RESTART! Leicester resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops. Chelsea have an early shot in this second period as Moses sets up Fabregas, but his effort is straight at Zieler.
SHOT! Super work from Schlupp as the midfielder finds space inside the Chelsea box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but Cahill manages to block his effort wide of the post.
GOAL! Leicester 2-2 Chelsea (Azpilicueta)
Oh my word what a goal! Chelsea level the scores at 2-2 as Azpilicueta finds the top corner with a stunning effort from outside the box. From two goals down, we are now level in this match.
BOOKING! Wasilewski (Leicester) is booked for a late challenge on Batshuayi.
I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this match as both teams continue to commit players in the final third. Just a reminder that we will have a winner tonight so extra-time and penalties will be played if the two teams cannot be separated. End-to-end football at the moment.
You just wonder whether Ranieri will consider freshening his team in the next five or 10 minutes. Just a reminder that Vardy and Mahrez are both on the bench and they could have a field day against this Chelsea defence, which continues to look extremely suspect when put under pressure.
Penalty shout for the home side as Gray goes down inside the box under pressure from Azpilicueta, but the referee is not interested, much to the frustration of the Leicester fans, who were certain.
It is the Chelsea supporters that can be heard at the moment as their team continue to look threatening in the final third. Fabregas again looks to find Batshuayi with a through pass, but Zieler is on hand to claim and immediately looks towards Musa, who has struggled to make an impact tonight.
Jamie Vardy is just getting ready for Leicester and it appears that the England international will be the first player to come off the bench at the King Power Stadium. Not surprising at all!
Drinkwater sends Musa away down the left and it appears that the forward will have a clear run on goal, but Cahill somehow finds the speed in his legs to get back and make a vital challenge.
Alonso strikes wide from distance as Chelsea continue to threaten here.
CHELSEA SUB! Costa replaces Batshuayi for the away side.
SAVE! Batshuayi strikes a wonderful effort towards the top corner and it looks to have beaten the Leicester goalkeeper, but Zieler is on hand to make a brilliant save and keep it at 2-2!
MISS! Stunning chance for Chelsea as Costa breaks through on the Leicester goal, but the striker somehow sends his effort wide of the post. What an incredible miss that is!
I am not sure what has happened to Jamie Vardy, but he was getting ready to come on about 10 minutes ago! A change is needed for the hosts because they are struggling to contain Chelsea now.
Little over 15 minutes of normal time remaining and we are still locked at 2-2 in this League Cup clash at the King Power Stadium. You sense that there is another goal in normal time tonight.
CHANCE! Stunning chance for the home side as Musa breaks clear of the Chelsea defence before attempting to chip his effort over Begovic, but the Chelsea stopper makes a fine save!
LEICESTER SUB! Vardy replaces Ulloa for the home side.
MISS! Oh my word! Leicester captain King has just headed over the crossbar from about three yards out! Ulloa's header had found King from a corner, but he somehow missed!
LEICESTER SUB! Vardy replaces Musa for the home side.
Neither side settling for normal time at the moment as the intensity continues to rise. Leicester are the team on the front foot as they feed off Vardy, but Chelsea have a serious counter-attacking threat.
CHELSEA SUB! Chalobah replaces Batshuayi for Chelsea.
Luiz allows another bounce on a long ball and Vardy is straight on the Brazilian, who just about manages to clear at the vital moment. Vardy is giving Luiz an absolutely torrid time at the moment.
SAVE! Zieler drops down to keep out a strike from Costa as Chelsea have an opportunity to score the game's fifth goal. Still around 10 minutes of normal time to play in this match.
BOOKING! Matic (Chelsea) is booked for a late challenge on Gray.
SAVES! Two brilliant saves from Zieler as the Leicester goalkeeper has to keep out Costa, who had shaken off Leicester's two centre-backs before having another effort!
Little under five minutes of normal time remaining and at the moment, we are heading for extra-time and possibly penalties to decide this third-round match, which has been absolutely brilliant.
CHANCE! Gray delivers a super cross into the Chelsea box and it appears that Schlupp is going to turn home, but the midfielder leaves it and there is no-one behind him!
BOOKING! Drinkwater (Leicester) is booked for a late tackle on Costa.
Luiz is standing over the Chelsea free kick...
... close from Luiz, but not close enough as it misses the crossbar.
CHELSEA SUB! Hazard replaces Pedro for the away side.
RED CARD! WASILEWSKI!
Leicester are reduced to 10 men as Wasilewski is handed his second yellow card for a rash elbow into the face of Costa. No doubt that the centre-back deserved to be sent from the field here.
LEICESTER SUB! Amartey replaces Gray for the home side.
Moses sends a volley wide of the post as Chelsea threaten late on here.
CHANCE! Side-netting for Costa after the striker had once again found space inside the Leicester box. The Spaniard could have had four or five after entering in the second period.
END OF 90 MINS: Leicester 2-2 Chelsea
So there we have it. It is 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes so extra-time and possibly penalties will be needed to decide this match. It has been a brilliant third-round clash between these two rivals.
Both of these teams have big Premier League matches at the weekend - Leicester travelling to Manchester United and Chelsea visiting Arsenal. Neither manager will be pleased about ET here!
KICKOFF! Chelsea get the extra-time period underway here...
Possession football for Chelsea as they attempt to pass their way into the Leicester box and it does seem that the visitors will dominate the ball against the 10-man hosts, who look tired now.
GOAL! Leicester 2-3 Chelsea (Fabregas)
What a super goal from Chelsea. Hazard produces a brilliant touch into Fabregas and the Spaniard fires his effort into the back of the net. In truth, it had been coming. Chelsea lead 3-2 in this one.
GOAL! Leicester 2-4 Chelsea (Fabregas)
Game, set and match. Fabregas has his second in extra-time as the midfielder smashes the ball home from close range after Leicester failed to deal with a corner. That is Chelsea through.
SAVE! All Chelsea here as Zieler is forced to get down and keep out a strike from Matic.
The signs were there for Leicester after Chelsea dominated the second period of normal time and their supporters are in fine voice at the moment as we approach the end of the first half of extra-time.
Just a reminder that Leicester will travel to Manchester United in the Premier League this weekend, while Chelsea will visit Arsenal. In truth, neither manager will have wanted this extra-time period.
BOOKING! Chilwell (Leicester) is booked for a late tackle on Azpilicueta.
Not too much of an atmosphere inside the stadium as the clock ticks on here.
HALF-TIME EXTRA-TIME: Leicester 2-4 Chelsea
Absolute mountain to climb for Leicester now after that quick-fire double from Fabregas. Chelsea lead 4-2 and Leicester will have to put in some effort to take this one into a penalty shootout.
RESTART! Leicester restart the action here...
... in fairness to the Leicester supporters, they are doing their best to raise the atmosphere, but Chelsea are very comfortable in this match and appear to be breezing into the fourth round.
It is very much like a training game at the moment as Chelsea pop the ball around in the final third of the field. I suspect that Jose Mourinho will like the amount of work Leicester are putting in now!
BOOKING! Luiz (Chelsea) is booked for fouling Vardy.
Am I watching a testimonial? Not much happening here as both teams walk around the pitch. Chelsea are popping it around and in truth, Leicester are not exactly breaking their neck to win it back!
The home supporters continue to filter out as we enter the final stages of this third-round match. Chelsea work the ball into the Leicester box, but Moses does not read a Fabregas return.
Half-chance for Fabregas as Alonso delivers a low cross towards the Spaniard, but his effort was always wide of the post. Has Fabregas does enough to earn a start against Arsenal this weekend?!
Fabregas makes a clever run as the Spaniard continues to threaten the Leicester defence, but he was offside when the ball from Chalobah was played. We are entering the very final moments here.
FULL-TIME: Leicester 2-4 Chelsea
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to a close with Chelsea running out 4-2 winners over Leicester to book their spot in the next round. That is just about it from me tonight, but be sure to join us for more live coverage tomorrow from both the League Cup and La Liga. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
