ENZO FERNANDEZ starred in Chelsea’s midfield as they clinched a vital win over Leicester City.
The Argentine showed that he should still be a starter for Enzo Maresca after being dropped for Romeo Lavia in recent matches.
Nicolas Jackson netted the opener for the Blues with a tidy finish after refusing to give up on a long ball.
The goal takes the Senegalese forward to eight in the Premier League, just six shy of his tally of all last season.
Chelsea made sure of the result with 15 minutes remaining as Fernandez headed in a rebound.
However, it was a quiet game for goalkeeper Robert Sanchez as he was a bystander for most of the 90 minutes.
And when he was called into action there was little he could do to stop Jordan Ayew‘s penalty.
SunSports’ Graham Hill has given his ratings for the Chelsea team…
He had a few shaky moments playing out from the back, which gave Leicester hope of getting back into the game before the break, but he will not be happy to have missed out on a clean sheet in stoppage time.
Booed on his second return to Leicester – but he refused to let it unsettle him, the fans could not put him off producing an assured display in the Chelsea defence.
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Controlled display at the back, he showed some superb vision at times but, apart from a spell in the first half, he was rarely troubled.
Cool, calm and collected in defence – even when Leicester threatened to get back on level terms. A controlled second half display helped keep the Foxes at bay.
Looked a threat out left going forward and created some of Chelsea’s best opportunities of the game – including their second goal and he knew how to frustrate Leicester when he needed to.
Booked for dissent at a time when Leicester almost came back into it, but kept his head to make sure Chelsea stayed firmly in command of the game.
Set up Jackson’s goal and is making a habit of providing key assists – this was fifth in his last three games.
Headed number two from close range for good measure.
Brought an excellent first half save from Mads Hermansen – who then stopped him scoring Chelsea’s second before the break.
Blocked a certain Palmer goal though.
Got some unwanted attention midway through the first half after a terrible challenge from Wilfred Ndidi – hit Maduke when he should have scored, otherwise he was excellent.
Peppered some shots in early on and proved a thorn in Leicester’s side, but drifted in and out of the game despite being part of a dominant Chelsea display.
The opening goal – his seventh of the season – rounded off a powerful run and clinical finish after some help from Fernandez in the build-up. Also had a hand in Chelsea’s second.
Chris Nkunku: for Joao Felix 81mins – 6
Romeo Lavia: for Caicedo 81 mins – 5
Jadon Sancho: for Maduke 84mins – 6
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: for Jackson 90 + 1mins – 5
