Leicester City produced a brilliant performance to beat Champions Chelsea at the King Power Stadium last night increasing the pressure on Jose Mourinho.
Claudio Ranieri’s men returned to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-1 win over the Blues in a match which saw Chelsea drop to just one-point above the relegation zone.
Jamie Vardy’s 15th goal of the season before half time and Riyad Mahrez’ superb curling solo finish shortly after the break sealed the win for the Foxes.
Chelsea substitute Loic Remy pulled one back but Leicester defended valiantly to hold on and replace Manchester City at the summit of the table.
Mourinho’s job now hangs in the balance with his Chelsea side collecting just 4 wins from the opening 16 games.
Ranieri kept faith with the same eleven who started the 3-0 win away at Swansea last weekend and Mahrez, who scored all three goals at the Liberty Stadium, tested Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois inside two minutes with a curling effort from distance.
The hosts maintained their high-tempo start but suffered a blow when playmaker Danny Drinkwater was replaced in the 17th minute by Andy King after suffering a hamstring injury.
Chelsea settled soon after but then were forced into a change themselves when last season’s player of the year Eden Hazard had to be brought off after a clash with Vardy in the 31st minute.
Vardy inflicted further misery on Mourinho just a few minutes later when man-of-the-match Mahrez’ tantalising cross evaded the static Kurt Zouma and was volleyed beyond Courtois by the oncoming Vardy.
Chelsea came close to an immediate equaliser, but Nemanja Matic’s looping header clipped the crossbar and went behind.
Mourinho’s side were unable to get a shot on target in the first half and three minutes after the restart the Foxes made them pay.
Mahrez controlled the impressive Albrighton’s cross exquisitely before shimmying magnificently away from Cesar Azpilicueta and curling a fine finish into the opposite corner.
Chelsea’s first shot on target finally came in the 62nd minute, but, after being released by Cesc Fabregas, Costa was well denied by Kasper Schmeichel.
Chelsea came close from the resulting corner when the Dane failed to collect the initial cross in from Willian’s corner but Ivanovic was denied at the back post by a fine block from full-back Christian Fuchs.
Mourinho then switched to a three-man defence and Remy headed home a Pedro cross to halve the deficit with 13 minutes remaining, but Leicester held out a nervy final 10 minutes to a rapturous reception from the home fans.
After the final whistle, Mourinho spoke of feeling “betrayed” by his players in the defeat.
He said; “They deserved to win because they were better than us during a long period of time. I think we were the best team, I will say for 20-25 minutes, maximum 30 minutes. They were the best team for one hour.
“They were very consistent and very focussed. They didn’t make any mistakes. They were aggressive with everybody playing high intensity, high tempo with a great mentality. It was difficult for us and then we conceded two goals that are unacceptable to me because I know one of my best qualities is to read the game for my players.
“It is to read the opponent and identify every detail about the opponent. These two goals, the movement of Vardy between the two central defenders then the cross with the left foot. The Mahrez in the box one against one – I want one against two because I want the midfield player to close the best foot.
“(The) two goals are difficult to accept because I feel like my work was betrayed.”
With his side now 14 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, Mourinho was asked if his side’s top-four chances had gone;
“Yes. Clearly, yes”, he replied.
In stark contrast City manager Claudio Ranieri said he was “very satisfied” with his side’s performance and that his team must stay “grounded” when faced with the expectation their current position sees them in.
He said; “We played against the champions but we want to make a fantastic match for our fans because they believe, they are dreaming.
“It is good if they continue to dream but for us it was important to make a great performance with a fantastic spirit. (Also) tactically I am very satisfied. We concentrated for 95 minutes against the champions. That is not easy.
“For our fans we are top of the league, but for me and my players we need another five points. Don’t laugh. It is the truth.”
Leicester travel to Everton on Saturday looking to extend their lead at the top, whilst Chelsea host Norwich at Stamford Bridge.
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