Chelsea player ratings vs Leicester: Nicolas Jackson shines as Benoit Badiashile takes his chance

Evening Standard

·23. November 2024

Chelsea player ratings vs Leicester: Nicolas Jackson shines as Benoit Badiashile takes his chance

The striker scored one and created another as the Blues returned to winning ways

Chelsea returned to Premier League action with a 2-1 victory over Leicester City to give Enzo Maresca a happy homecoming on his return to the King Power.

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Back at his old club for the first time since steering them to promotion last season, Maresca was forced into a number of changes as the likes of Pedro Neto, Reece James and Malo Gusto all missed out through injury or illness.

However, Nicolas Jackson continued his fine form to open the scoring, before Enzo Fernandez marked his return to the league XI with a clinching second. Jordan Ayew’s stoppage-time penalty came too late to inspire a Foxes comeback.

Here’s how Maresca’s side rated at the King Power Stadium...

Robert Sanchez 6

A spectator for much of the first-half but awkward pass still almost put Caicedo in trouble. Booked.

Wesley Fofana 6

Booed from the outset against former club but unaffected shifting to right-back.

Levi Colwill 6

Never troubled against Jamie Vardy.

Benoit Badiashile 7

Handed a first league start of the season. On the front foot from the outset and some cross-field passing was excellent. Read the game well, too.

Marc Cucurella 6

Deployed as a conventional left-back to allow Felix space inside. Just offside in build-up to Madueke disallowed goal but cross created the second.

Enzo Fernandez 7

First Premier League start since early last month and assisted Jackson’s opener before scoring the clincher. His best afternoon for a good while.

Moises Caicedo 6

Kept the ball moving quickly in attempt to drag Leicester across the pitch. Booked for frustrated outburst.

Noni Madueke 6

Eventful. Had one effort well saved, another disallowed and then missed glaring chance for 2-0 on the counter before inadvertently blocking Palmer effort on the line.

Cole Palmer 6

Took a bit of a kicking, including nasty challenge from Ndidi. Not at his best but still should have had a goal, only for Madueke to block.

Joao Felix 6

First league start of the season in the absence of Pedro Neto. A couple of bright moments but decision-making was average.

Nicolas Jackson 8

Scored a brilliant opener, made of his own determination and finished clinically. Almost an assist for Madueke, before strength and header helped force the clincher.

Substitutes

Romeo Lavia (Caicedo 81’) N/A

Clumsy in giving away late penalty.

Christopher Nkunku (Felix 81’) N/A

Jadon Sancho (Madueke 85’) N/A

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Jackson 90’) N/A