London: Diego Costa and Eden Hazard scored in the second half as Chelsea finally broke down Leicester’s stubborn resistance for a 2-0 victory in the Premier League on Saturday.
The newly promoted visitors had threatened a major upset until Costa controlled a deflected pass from Branislav Ivanovic in front of goal and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel in the 63rd minute. It was Costa’s second goal in two league games for Chelsea, having joined from Atletico Madrid in the offseason.
Hazard then put the result beyond doubt with a solo effort in the 77th, cutting in from the left and sending a low shot inside the far post.
There was instant improvement from Chelsea at the start of the second half, with Branislav Ivanovic in particular pushed much farther upfield.
First, though, Leicester had their own moment to turn this game. David Nugent might have liked to look away.
With 53 minutes gone a pass from Hammond put Nugent in on goal, only for Courtois to make a fine low save with his legs.
At the other end, Ivanovic continued to rampage down Chelsea’s right, and it was his burst that made the opening goal after 63 minutes.
Leicester missed a couple of good chances before Costa’s opener, including the one when David Nugent came clear through on goal but had his shot sadly saved by the onrushing Thibaut Courtois. (Reuters)