Chelsea secured a vital 1-0 victory over Leicester at Stamford Bridge to reclaim fourth place in the Premier League table.
Despite an unconvincing performance, the Blues found a way past a resilient Leicester side, with Marc Cucurella’s stunning strike proving decisive after Cole Palmer missed a first-half penalty.
The home side came into the match knowing that avoiding defeat would see them finish the day in fourth place, following Manchester City’s surprising 2-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.
However, head coach Enzo Maresca urged his team to push for all three points against a Leicester side fighting for Premier League survival.
Chelsea started brightly, dominating possession and creating early chances. Palmer, one of their key attacking threats, had a penalty appeal waved away before blasting a shot high and wide.
The breakthrough seemed imminent when Chelsea were awarded a penalty after Jadon Sancho was tripped by Victor Kristiansen.
However, Palmer, who had been flawless from the spot all season, saw his effort brilliantly saved by Mads Hermansen—marking his first-ever penalty miss in the Premier League.
Buoyed by that save, Leicester nearly took the lead when a misjudged charge from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez left the goal exposed.
James Justin’s cross found Tosin Adarabioyo, whose attempted clearance struck the woodwork, giving the visitors a brief moment of hope.
The first half ended with few clear-cut chances, aside from a lengthy stoppage after a head collision between Pedro Neto and Wout Faes, which required medical attention.
The second half remained cagey, with both teams struggling to create meaningful opportunities.
However, on the hour mark, Cucurella produced a moment of magic. Left unmarked on the edge of the area, the Spanish full-back took full advantage of the space, firing a precise shot into the bottom corner beyond Hermansen’s reach.
Chelsea managed the game well after taking the lead, limiting Leicester’s attacking threat while looking for opportunities to extend their advantage.
Despite late pressure from the visitors, Maresca’s side held firm to secure a crucial three points.
The victory moves Chelsea two points clear of Manchester City in the battle for Champions League qualification, intensifying the race for a top-four finish as the season heads into its final stretch.
