Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez found the net as Chelsea cruised to a comfortable win at Leicester City.
The margin of victory could have been higher, though, with Noni Madueke having a goal ruled out in the first half after provider Marc Cucurella was adjudged to be offside in the build-up.
Then, after half-time, the England winger inexplicably failed to jump over the ball as Cole Palmer took aim at an empty net, with Madueke preventing his own team-mate from getting on the scoresheet.
Leicester reduced the deficit via a late Jordan Ayew penalty late on after Romeo Lavia tripped Bobby De Cordova-Reid in the area but Chelsea’s dominance was rarely challenged.
Simon Johnson breaks down the main talking points from Enzo Maresca’s return to King Power Stadium as Chelsea head coach.
Maduke’s goal-saving block (to deny team-mate Palmer)
Cole Palmer is increasingly used to players trying to stop him from finding the net these days but he is not accustomed to one of his own team-mates being one of them.
In the 54th minute of Chelsea’s win at Leicester, it looked certain that he would increase the visitors’ lead when they were still just 1-0 up.
A great move ended with Jackson’s shot being palmed straight to Palmer at the back post by Leicester keeper Mads Hermansen.
Palmer took aim at the unguarded near post, looked ready to celebrate but a jumping Noni Madueke was in the way and inadvertently diverted the shot out for a goal kick.
It was the kind of block one of Chelsea’s defenders would be proud of.
The players saw the funny side. Palmer laughed and joked with Madueke, Madueke rather sheepishly did the same.
Maresca did not seem quite as amused though. With the game still far from won at that point he looked a combination of frustrated, incredulous and anguished on the touchline.
Fortunately for Chelsea, it did not matter in the end.
Did Enzo Fernandez prove his worth?
It has not been the easiest of seasons for Enzo Fernandez but he has begun to give a little reminder to everyone why Chelsea bought him for £106million in January 2023.
This was Fernandez’s first start in the Premier League since October 6, when he struggled during a 1-1 draw at home to Nottingham Forest. While he has been a regular in the ‘B team’ instead, playing in the Carabao Cup and UEFA Conference League, this is a man that expects to play top-flight league football.
Romeo Lavia has been preferred in league games by head coach Enzo Maresca but the Belgium international was named on the bench against Leicester, perhaps a consequence of feeling a little discomfort in his hamstrings while away with Belgium.
Enzo Fernandez kisses the ball before kick-off (Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Fernandez provides more attacking threat than Lavia but does not offer the same defensive cover. For the first 30 minutes, his ability on the ball helped Chelsea dominate possession.
It also led to Chelsea taking the lead, the 23-year-old setting up Nicolas Jackson after the forward had robbed Wout Faes of possession.
That took his tally of assists for Chelsea and Argentina to five from his last six appearances: a good return indeed and one that shows also some growing confidence.
But as Leicester grew into the game, there were still reminders of why playing Fernandez is a risk for the defensive balance. On two occasions before half-time, he was caught upfield and could not get back, leaving midfield partner Moises Caceido isolated. It led to Leicester having two very good chances themselves.
His afternoon still ended on a high though, scoring the crucial second with a rare header. It was his first goal for Chelsea for nine months and a number of his team-mates, including some potential substitutes warming up, joined in the celebrations.
How was Enzo Maresca received on his Leicester return?
Normally, when a head coach returns to a club where he has enjoyed some significant success, they get a warm reception from the stands.
Maresca may have spent just one season in charge at Leicester but he masterminded their promotion from the Championship at the first attempt in May and they went up as champions.
You would never have known it though as he came back to the King Power Stadium for the first time since he left for Chelsea in the summer.
There was a nice greeting message from Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha in the matchday programme head coach Steve Copper too. There were also smiles and handshakes with staff in the corridors before the match kicked off.
But in terms of interaction with the Leicester fans, there was nothing. No grand announcement over the tannoy or a sign of cheers or boos he was in the technical area. It is almost as if they deliberately set out to try and ignore the fact that Maresca was now in the away dugout rather than the home one, although the Chelsea head coach enjoyed some warm exchanges with a few Leicester substitutes during a first-half VAR check for Madueke’s disallowed goal.
It is always a cause of frustration when a key figure, whether it be a player or manager, chooses to go elsewhere. Maresca was not hugely popular at the back end of last season when Leicester’s promotion looked in jeopardy. However, he still achieved what he was asked to do and yet you would have thought he was a stranger.
Maresca clearly was not perturbed. Indeed, when Leicester’s Harry Winks was injured early on, he was the one that ordered the Chelsea players to kick the ball out so he could get some treatment.
Enzo Maresca returned to King Power Stadium (Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)
What did Enzo Maresca say?
We will bring you this after he has spoken at the post-match press conference.
What next for Chelsea?
Thursday, November 28: Heidenheim (A), Conference League, 5.45pm UK, 12.45pm ET
Sunday, December 1: Aston Villa (H), Premier League, 1.30pm UK, 8.30am ET
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(Top photo: Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
