“He’s a top manager, he’s a top man, ‘ he told Chelsea TV”.
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Due to their involvement in the Champions League, Leicester received a bye to this round, while Chelsea made a rare appearance in round two, where they overcame a spirited display from Bristol Rovers to prevail 3-2.
A second Marcin Wasilewski booking sent the Foxes down to 10 men as the clock ticked into added time at the end of the 90, and Leicester were made to pay for their numerical disadvantage right at the start of extra-time. It was Fàbregas, though, who did the most damage.
This will be the first time these two teams will face off this season and also the first time Antonio Conte will face Claudio Ranieri in the dugout.
“They showed the will to win – the will to go through to the next round”.
When the Blues were pinned back in their own half, as little as that happened, the Spaniard might as well have been out for a jog on a particularly dishearteningly cold evening during his efforts to press the ball.
For Conte, however, there was much more to endure than enjoy during that period.
The move that led to Azpilicueta’s goal began when a Leicester corner was cleared and the thought occurred that, last season, a certain N’Golo Kante might have been around to stop the break at source.
Two stunning goals, an assist and a starring role in a 4-2 victory over the reigning Premier League champions. His thoughtless dismissal severely reduced Leicester’s chances of stemming the tide as the tie entered extra-time; it would be a surprise if he was seen in the club’s colours again. His delivery evaded Gary Cahill too easily, cannoned off an unprepared Azpilicueta and looped back towards Okazaki at the near post.
Although Michy Batshuayi ought to have done better with a free header from Pedro’s cross, Leicester continued to threaten through the direct running of Musa, Jeffrey Schlupp and Gray. Okazaki at the double!
Another chance fell Costa’s way as time began to tick down at the King Power Stadium, but he was unable to find a way past Zieler, who again kept out the Spain global at his near post a few moments later.
It meant Chelsea have kept just one clean sheet in their past 12 away games, against last season’s whipping boys Aston Villa.
The Foxes are three men down in Kasper Schmeichel, Nampalys Mendy and Matty James, though the chances of squad rotation are high judging by the sides that Claudio Ranieri fielded in this competition a year ago. Despite the introduction of Costa midway through the second half, fortunes didn’t improve and was unlucky not to score shortly before being substituted.
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Diego Costa great impact from the bench.
