Chelsea came from behind to beat Leicester City 3-1 at the King Power Stadium this evening, moving to within one win of the Premier League title as a result.
The hosts went into the break with the lead courtesy of a composed Marc Albrighton finish right on the stroke of half time.
Chelsea hit back in the second half, however, with Didier Drogba and John Terry turning things around before Ramires capped off the win with a thunderbolt seven minutes from time.
Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at whether Chelsea were worthy of all three points on an important night at both ends of the table.
Match statistics
LEICESTER
Shots: 8
On target: 2
Possession: 37%
Corners: 2
Fouls: 10
CHELSEA
Shots: 11
On target: 4
Possession: 63%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 1
Was the result fair?
Chelsea may be ahead in all of the relevant attacking statistics, but a two-goal margin is a little harsh on Leicester. The hosts were the better side in the first half and deservedly went into the break ahead having enjoyed the best attacking moments in the opening 45 minutes. They played with a good intensity both on and off the ball, coming flying out of the blocks and keeping Chelsea penned back in the opening exchanges.
The visitors slowly settled into the match, but they offered very little in an attacking sense before the break, despite enjoying possession in some good positions. They could have no complaints at the half-time scoreline, and it would not be a surprise if Jose Mourinho gave them the hairdryer treatment at the break. They certainly acted like he did, making a brilliant start to the second half. Drogba equalised within three minutes, and they could have been 3-1 up inside 10 second-half minutes following spurned opportunities for Drogba and Cesc Fabregas.
Leicester steadied the ship a little, but by that point Chelsea had a degree of control over the match and always looked likely to get the next goal. It is hard to argue that the visitors didn't deserve it when it eventually arrived following their improvement since the break. Leicester's first-half display was all about hard work and determination, but Chelsea's superior quality shone through in the second period. You have to feel for the hosts, who put everything into the match, but Chelsea just about deserve all three points.
Leicester's performance
The Foxes came into this match on a remarkable run of four wins in a row that had seen them climb off the foot of the table and out of the relegation zone for the first time since November. They began with the sort of confidence that comes from such good form, keeping the ball well and winning it back quickly whenever they did lose it. Chelsea were on the back foot for the majority of the opening half-hour, despite Leicester losing two players to injury in that time.
Even when the visitors began to settle, Nigel Pearson's side continued to look threatening. They showed exactly how to play against this Chelsea defence, hoisting early balls forward and turning the likes of Terry and Gary Cahill towards their own goal. Jamie Vardy was a key component of that as he chased everything, forcing the defenders into the channels and always looking threatening with his pace. That was how the opening goal arrived, and it was a tactic that worked repeatedly in the first half.
The hosts would have been expecting a Chelsea reaction, and they certainly got it. They were hanging on in the opening stages of the second half and only some wayward finishing preventing them from falling behind. Having put so much effort into a fine first-half display, they began to tire as the second period wore on, and Chelsea's dominance grew. Even so, the Foxes can take a lot of positives from this defeat, and similar performances in their final four games of the season should garner enough points to remain in the division. Their winning run may be over, but this was the type of display that won't harm their momentum too much.
Chelsea's performance
Performance levels may have dipped in recent months, but the results keep on coming for the champions-elect. Again, Mourinho's side were disappointing in the first half this evening, but this time it looked like their lethargy could cost them. Leicester's goal right on the stroke of half time was deserved, and a repeat performance in the second half would have most likely postponed their title celebrations for another week at least.
The visitors could not get out in the opening exchanges and failed to seriously trouble Kasper Schmeichel in the Leicester goal throughout the first half. That all changed after the interval, however, with a tactical tweak from Mourinho making Chelsea look like a completely different side. They began getting a lot of joy down the right flank, which is where all three of their goals stemmed from. The early Drogba strike was important in turning the tide from the first half, and they should have been ahead moments later.
This Chelsea side is a patient bunch, however, and they wore Leicester down before two goals in the space of four minutes killed the game off. There were a number of decent efforts and openings along the way, but they needed a scrappy set piece to take the lead before Ramires's screamer sealed it. They by no means had things all their own way against a spirited Leicester, but their class shone through in the second 45 as they put in one of their better performance of recent times. They are just three points from a first title in five years now and, whether you think they are boring or not, they will certainly be worthy champions.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Willian: Vardy was a livewire throughout his time on the field for Leicester, but the game really swung in Chelsea's favour due to their dominance of the right flank in the second half. Willian repeatedly led breaks clear and had the beating of Paul Konchesky time after time. He may not have had a direct say in any of the goals, but he was instrumental in turning the tide after the break.
Biggest gaffe
It's a harsh one, but we're going to pick on Cesar Azpilicueta for his slip in the build-up to Leicester's goal. The full-back was well set to cut out Vardy's low cross from the left but fell at the crucial moment, allowing Albrighton to tuck the ball home with aplomb.
Referee performance
Mark Clattenburg won't have had too many easier games than tonight's this season. The official produced just one yellow card and there were no major talking points in either penalty area.
What next?
Leicester: The Foxes will look to drag themselves further away from danger when they face out-of-form Newcastle United at the King Power Stadium in Saturday's early kickoff.
Chelsea: Chelsea, meanwhile, host Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in a match that would see them clinch the Premier League title with a victory.
Barney Corkhill
