PL: Chelsea reclaim top-four spot as Cucurella fires winner against Leicester

Chelsea climbed back into the Premier League’s top four with a hard-fought victory over Leicester City at Stamford Bridge, thanks to Marc Cucurella’s stunning second-half goal.  

The Spanish left-back, who has been in fine form, scored his fifth goal of the season, and his second in consecutive league games, after previously finding the net against Southampton.

His decisive strike came in the 60th minute, unleashing a powerful left-footed shot from 25 yards that beat Leicester’s goalkeeper, Mads Hermansen.

Before Cucurella’s breakthrough, Chelsea had been left frustrated, with Hermansen denying Cole Palmer from the penalty spot after Jadon Sancho was fouled by Victor Kristiansen midway through the first half.

However, the Blues persevered to secure a crucial win, strengthening their push for a Champions League place.

The miss ended Palmer’s 100% record from the spot – having scored his previous 12 – and prolonged the playmaker’s goalless run to nine matches in all competitions.

Leicester impressed during the first half and came close to opening the scoring in bizarre circumstances when Blues defender Tosin Adarabioyo headed against his own crossbar.

But that was as close as the Foxes came, with Enzo Maresca’s men improving after the break and claim the winner to leapfrog Manchester City and take a two-point advantage over the reigning champions.

Defeat for Leicester left them second bottom in the table, behind 18th-placed Ipswich on goal difference and six points adrift of Wolves in 17th.