Leicester 2-2 Chelsea: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Rudiger Grabs a Double in Thrilling Contest

​Two headers from Antonio Rudiger secured a point for Chelsea as they played out an enthralling 2-2 draw away to Leicester City in the Premier League.

The centre-back scored the first and last goals of the game, his second a glorious looping header over Kasper Schmeichel after Harvey Barnes and Ben Chilwell had combined to turn the match on its head.

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Frank Lampard's men spurned a host of opportunities in their search for the game's first goal, with the quality of Reece James' crosses proving problematic for ​Leicester's defence, who held out until the break thanks to a towering performance from Jonny Evans.

However, the Foxes' resolve gave way inside a minute of the restart, Rudiger rising highest at a corner to nod the visitors into a hard-fought lead.

It took less than a quarter of an hour for Brendan Rodgers' recruits to level matters when Barnes scored for the third ​Premier League match in succession, the winger's lashed shot looping beyond the clutches of Willy Caballero after deflecting off James.

Ben Chilwell,James Maddison,Ayoze Perez

Chilwell completed the turnaround soon after. Wandering into space at the back post, he got the perfect contact on the ball to send it into the top corner, the ​Chelsea shot-stopper scrambling across his line in a vain attempt to deny the defender.

However, Leicester's lead was equally short-lived, Rudiger netting with another header to once more tie things up at the King Power Stadium as the contest neared its conclusion. 


Leicester City

Key Talking Point

Wilfried Ndidi's injury deprived Rodgers of one of his most instrumental squad members, the midfielder's absence having a clear impact on the Foxes display.

​​​​The Nigerian is often handed the role of destroyer, disrupting opponents' play and retrieving possession for his team. Without him, Leicester looked vulnerable, with Chelsea taking a stranglehold in the opening stages of the encounter.

Wilfred Ndidi

For much of the game, Hamza Choudhury struggled to cope with the movement and passing of Jorginho and Mason Mount, which would ordinarily be Ndidi's job.

This should be a major concern for Rodgers. Yes, the Foxes recovered well, but they should have been put to the sword before they woke up on Saturday. They cannot be so reliant on the presence of one player.


Player Ratings

Starting XI: Schmeichel (6); Pereira (6), Evans (9*), Soyuncu (6), Chilwell (7); Choudhury (6), Tielemans (5), Maddison (7); Perez (5), Barnes (7); Vardy (6).


Substitutes: Iheanacho (5), Praet (6).


Jonny Evans

The opening period of the match belonged to two players - James and Evans.

The latter was given no time to rest, his services called up far too often from Rodgers' point of view. Rudiger's early goal in the second half changed the picture, the Foxes going through the gears to electrify the home crowd.

Jonny Evans

That gave Evans some much due respite, the Northern Irishman occasionally having to break up Chelsea attacks but rarely looking under any serious threat as his experience helped guide Leicester to another ​Premier League point.

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Chelsea

Key Talking Point

Lampard dropped £72m record-signing Kepa Arrizabalaga in favour of playing Caballero between the sticks. The Chelsea boss may well be back-tracking in light of the Argentine's showing in the Midlands.

Frank Lampard

Caballero had no authority in his own area, while his lack of composure was on full display for the hosts' second goal as he charged off his line and after a loose ball, leaving the goal unguarded for the grateful Chilwell.

This was a move that simply did not work for Lampard, who would be well-advised to stick with Kepa, regardless of his inconsistent form in recent months.


Player Ratings

Starting XI: Caballero (7); James (8*), Christensen (6), Rudiger (8), Azpilicueta (7); Jorginho (6), Kante (8), Mount (7); Hudson-Odoi (6), Pedro (6); Abraham (5).

Substitutes: Willian (6), Kovacic (7), Barkley (6). 


Reece James

There's no doubting James deserves a spot in this Chelsea side, Lampard's faith paying off as the defender produced another outstanding performance.

In the first half, he was head and shoulders above his teammates, ceaselessly bombarding the Leicester penalty area with measured balls from the right flank.

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Though James failed to register an assist in the Midlands, that was a result of wayward finishing from the attackers, rather than the starlet's deliveries.

Rudiger may have been at the double, but it was the efforts of the England Under-21 international that gave Chelsea a platform against Rodgers' side.

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Looking Ahead

Chelsea have some stern tests on the horizon as they face ​Manchester United and ​Tottenham Hotspur in their next two matches, before locking horns with ​Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the ​Champions League.

The Foxes also have a difficult fixture list in the coming weeks, with the Midlands outfit welcoming ​Manchester City to the King Power after their meeting with ​Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux next Friday.


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Source : 90min