Leicester vs Chelsea LIVE: Premier League latest score and goal updates as Palmer starts and Maresca returns
Chelsea can stay third with a victory at Leicester as Maresca faces the side he helped to promotion last season
The Premier League returns as Chelsea visit Leicester City in the early kick-off, with Enzo Maresca facing his former side for the first time.
Maresca helped Leicester secure promotion back to the Premier League last season and the Italian then landed the Chelsea job following the dismissal of Mauricio Pochettino. Maresca has started brightly at Chelsea, with the Blues seemingly recovering from a turbulent spell to sit third in the table ahead of the restart.
Challenging for the top-four has become a real target for Maresca’s new side, while Leicester attempt to distance themselves from the relegation places under Steve Cooper. The Foxes have won just two of their first 11 games since promotion, with victories over Bournemouth and Southampton last month, but they are winless since.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have only lost to Manchester City and Liverpool in the league this season and could cement their position as top-four contenders with a victory at the King Power. Follow live updates from Leicester vs Chelsea in the Premier League below.
Leicester 0-0 Chelsea
11 mins: The early change for Leicester is confirmed, with Skipp replacing the injured Winks. Chelsea resume by taking control of the ball again.
The visitors increase the tempo and Caleb Okoli is required to make a big block at the near post to cut out Enzo Fernandez’s cross. Joao Felix snatches at the loose ball from the corner, which drafted back to the far post.
Horrible effort from the Portugal international, to be honest!
Leicester 0-0 Chelsea
9 mins: Leicester will of course try and use Jamie Vardy’s pace on the counter-attack, and Benoit Badiashile has to be sharp to cut out the through pass from El Khannouss.
Leicester get the break in play as Harry Winks goes down following a challenge on Fernandez. The former Tottenham midfielder is feeling his groin and looks as if he will be replaced by another former Tottenham midfielder, in Oliver Skipp.
Leicester 0-0 Chelsea
6 mins: Chelsea’s shape is a bit different today. Marc Cucurella is playing as the left winger with Joao Felix almost playing as a central midfielder, with Palmer as the No 10. Assured start from the visitors.
Leicester 0-0 Chelsea
4 mins: It is all Chelsea in these opening stages. Noni Madueke cuts inside and is bundled over by Bilal El Khannouss. Cole Palmer doesn’t go for goal and Levi Colwill’s header is cleared by Leicester.
Leicester 0-0 Chelsea
2 mins: Chelsea with an early spell of possession in the Leicester half, with some touches for Wesley Fofana. The former Leicester defender is booed by the home fans.
Joao Felix shimmies clear of Wout Faes and almost picks out Palmer with the low cross. Mads Hermansen collects and holds.
KICK-OFF! Leicester 0-0 Chelsea
1 mins: Cole Palmer gets us underway. The Premier League is back, with plenty of games to come between now and the New Year. The TV cameras focus on Jamie Vardy and Palmer before kick-off. Andy Madley is today’s referee.
Leicester vs Chelsea
Alright the players are in the tunnel and we’re almost ready to go! Enzo Fernandez takes the captain’s armband for Chelsea. It’s a big game for the Argentina international and World Cup winner, who had dropped out of Enzo Maresca’s starting team before the international break. He returns in place of Romeo Lavia today.
Leicester vs Chelsea
Enzo Maresca speaking ahead of Leicester vs Chelsea, to TNT Sports. He confirms Malo Gusto is ill and Pedro Neto picked up a knock with Portugal.
On team news: “Malo unfortunately during the night felt bad. Pedro had a kick with the international team. It’s it getting better but we decided not to risk it today.”
On his return to Leicester: “It’s a fantastic feeling. We had a fantastic season here and we are very thankful. It’s both sides. We know they and they know us very well. We will make some small adjustments.”
Can Chelsea improve international break trend?
Chelsea have won one of their previous seven Premier League games following an international break, drawing three and losing three.
That includes the 2-1 defeat at Liverpool last month, but Enzo Maresca’s side did beat Bournemouth 1-0 in September.
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