Antonio Conte’s side managed to hit back after a loss at home to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool they managed to knock the Champions of England out of the League Cup early this season. Shinji Okazaki gave the Foxes a two-goal lead that they managed to squander just before half time. They held on to a 2-2 score-line even as they went down to 10 men but an inspired half an hour Spanish genius Cesc Fabregas gave Chelsea a pass into the 4th round.
Leicester were not able to last the whole game as they dropped their intensity in extra time and the game ended 4-2 to the visitors on the night. Here are three players who were brilliant in this thrilling League Cup game.
Eden Hazard
The Belgian came in for Pedro in the 88th minute and changed the complexion of the game. He showed great confidence on the ball right from his first touch in the game and was a catalyst to Chelsea’s revival on the night. He made the Leicester defence scamper back in the dying minutes of normal time and was equally lively in extra time. He was involved in almost every attack in extra time and was relentless at the end.
The Belgian been superb all season for Chelsea and will surely be happy to get back to winning ways after the failures against Liverpool this past weekend.
Pedro
Arguably the best player for Chelsea in normal time, Pedro was full of energy right from kick-off and it was evident that he wanted to prove a point. He has not been used by Conte effectively so far this season and the former Barcelona man wanted to show the manager what he can add to the squad.
He was creative, quick and hard to catch, and made the Leicester defence uncomfortable on the night. His goal was disallowed (adjudged offside) but he was always knocking on the door in the final third. Though he gradually fell away and was replaced by Hazard, he was the one outlet for Chelsea that created some spark in the first hour of the game.
Cesc Fabregas
Obviously, the man of the match for this tie, Fabregas, who is reportedly up for sale in January, was given a rare start on the night by Conte. The manager revealed that he might still have a role to play in the squad this season and this game showed exactly why. He was not really at his best in the first half, seeming lethargic at times, yet, he picked up an assist for Cahill’s goal just before half time.
He grew into the game so much that he was the difference between the two sides on the night. He was moved into the number 10 role late in the game which saw him influence the play in a dangerous area in the final third. He was probing at a 10-man Leicester defence and broke it twice successfully. His goals were what gave Chelsea a pass into the next round and he deserves to take the credit.