Through suffering to the stars! That’s the summary of Chelsea’s clash against Leicester at Stamford Bridge today. The Blues suffered a lot, but in the end, they managed not to reach stars but to note a significant victory – 1-0However, Enzo Maresca will have a lot of problems to solve, as his lads put in a bad performance against the penultimate Premier League team. An additional issue – and probably the key one – will be Cole Palmer’s severe downfall. The forward who led Chelsea during the season’s opening months and was once one of the best players in the league has been goalless since January 14 and hasn’t made an assist since December 1?!Behold, the new champion on a roll!On top of everything, he crowned another poor display with a missed penalty midway through the first half, and if it had not been for Marc Cucurella and his long-range winner, Chelsea would have dropped valuable points.Goals in back-to-back Premier League matches for Marc Cucurella 🐧#CHELEI pic.twitter.com/aDabXz4HNV— Premier League (@premierleague) March 9, 2025 Enzo Maresca’s half-time talk had to be strict and harsh, as his players’ first-half performance against the penultimate team in the league was embarrassing. As if they lacked willpower and motivation, the Blues were mild, and their game control only left a phoney impression of dominance.Boehly shruggs off fans’ protest with ‘grocery store‘ remarkThe only man keen on playing in the home crew was Cole Palmer, though his reasons were rather personal than team, as he wanted to break a terrible goalless run lasting since January 14. And after a few long-distance attempts, the forward got an ideal chance to net – a penalty!COLE PALMER’S PENALTY IS SAVED BY HERMANSEN!Palmer hasn’t scored a goal for Chelsea since January 14th 😳 pic.twitter.com/wPMl8vKGSY— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 9, 2025 However, instead of confidently smashing it home, the Englishman shot awfully, as Mads Hermansen stopped his effort! Following that moment, Palmer became invisible, while his decision-making was poor. And when “Cold” doesn’t play, Chelsea don’t play either.Moreover, Leicester could have taken the lead before the break, as Tosin Adarabioyo hit the bar of his own goal (?!) after a misunderstanding with the custodian Robert Sanchez. Still, the rivals remained goalless at the break.13 – Cole Palmer has missed a Premier League penalty for the first time with today’s the 13th he has taken, ending the best 100% success record from the spot in the competition in the process. Unlucky. pic.twitter.com/7zWs4fmj6K— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 9, 2025 And when the forwards – Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, and Jadon Sancho – couldn’t break Leicester’s wall in front of Hermansen, Marc Cucurella did it! At the hour mark, the Spaniard unleashed a precise effort from distance, finding the bottom-left corner of the Foxes’ goal – 1-0!⚽️ GOAL: Cucurella🏴 Chelsea 1-0 Leicesterpic.twitter.com/Rk1tLzCR04— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) March 9, 2025 At that point the Blues got what they wanted and practically stopped playing, while the visitors clearly did not have enough quality to threaten more dangerously and pursue the leveller. Thanks to this triumph, Chelsea closed the gap behind Nottingham Forest in third spot to two points, while Leicester remained six points away from the safe zone.PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 28SaturdayNott. Forest – Man. City 1-0 (0-0)/Hudson-Odoi 83/Brighton – Fulham 2-1 (1-1)/Van Hecke 41, Pedro 90+8 – Jimenez 35/Crystal Palace – Ipswich 1-0 (0-0)/Sarr 82/Liverpool – Southampton 3-1 (0-1)/Nunez 51, Salah 54 pen, 88 pen – Smallbone 45+1/Brentford – Aston Villa 0-1 (0-0)/Watkins 49/Wolverhampton – Everton 1-1 (1-1)/Munetsi 40 – Harrison 33/SundayChelsea – Leicester 1-0 (0-0)/Cucurella 60/Tottenham – Bournemouth 2-2 (0-1)/Sarr 67, Son 84 pen – Tavernier 42, Evanilson 67/19:30: (5.10) Man.Utd. (3.60) Arsenal (1.80)Monday23:00: (3.25) West Ham (3.50) Newcastle (2.30)***odds are subject to change***
