Chelsea clawed their way back into the Premier League’s top four with a gritty 1-0 win over Leicester City at Stamford Bridge, thanks to Marc Cucurella’s second-half stunner.
The Spanish left-back, on fire with five goals this season, rifled a 25-yard left-footer past Foxes keeper Mads Hermansen on the hour mark—his second in two league games after Southampton. Cue the Blues fans erupting!
It wasn’t all smooth sailing. Chelsea huffed and puffed early, with Cole Palmer fluffing a golden chance to break his nine-game goal drought.
The England star, perfect from the spot with 12 prior penalties, saw Hermansen deny his low drive after Victor Kristiansen tripped Jadon Sancho.
Palmer’s misery stretched on—he’s now blanked in eight straight matches—before being hooked for Tyrique George with an eye on Thursday’s Conference League clash with Copenhagen.
Leicester, scrapping at the bottom, nearly nicked a freak lead when Tosin Adarabioyo’s header pinged off his own bar. But that was their highlight reel.
Enzo Maresca’s men flipped the script after halftime, with Cucurella’s belter leapfrogging Chelsea over Manchester City by two points. Leicester? They’re stuck second-bottom, level with Ipswich on goal difference, six adrift of safety.
Chelsea’s top-four fight got a boost, but Palmer’s dry spell looms large.
