Chelsea capitalized on their top-four adversaries faltering over the weekend, carving out a marginal yet pivotal two-point advantage over fifth-placed Manchester City. Their hard-fought 1-0 triumph over a Leicester City side seemingly resigned to the abyss of relegation was far from a statement performance, leaving lingering questions despite the valuable three points.
Marc Cucurella’s decisive strike in the second half—his fourth in the Premier League this season—secured the spoils for the Blues, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown with Arsenal at the Emirates. With Mikel Arteta’s men unable to muster more than a 1-1 draw against Manchester United, a Chelsea victory in North London could potentially shrink the deficit to second place to just three points.
Of greater consequence, however, was Manchester City’s humbling defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest, an outcome that gifted Chelsea an opportunity to reclaim fourth place. The West Londoners now find themselves three points ahead of Brighton while managing to put daylight between themselves and Bournemouth as well as Aston Villa—both of whom squandered leads en route to draws.
The race for Champions League qualification has entered a feverish phase, with Chelsea also within striking distance of Forest. Yet, for all their gains, Enzo Maresca’s men remain mired in inconsistency, their lackluster display against Leicester doing little to instill confidence beyond the sheer importance of the result.
Chelsea might well have wrapped up proceedings with greater comfort, and on another day, they would likely have been awarded multiple penalties. Here, football.london dissects referee Tim Robinson’s pivotal calls that shaped the contest.
Palmer’s Early Penalty Claim Dismissed
In one of four controversial penalty shouts, Cole Palmer may have merited an even earlier spot-kick than the one eventually awarded. Barely two minutes had elapsed when he found himself felled by Luke Thomas inside the box.
Receiving possession just outside the right edge of the six-yard area after Jadon Sancho’s deft stab pass, Palmer maneuvered himself between Thomas and the goal before contact ensued. On initial viewing, the challenge from Thomas appeared clumsy—one that, under different circumstances, might easily have resulted in a penalty.
The Shed End erupted in indignation, with Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, and Enzo Fernández all voicing their fury. Thomas, visibly anxious, cast a wary glance over his shoulder before adamantly wagging his finger. The referee, however, saw no transgression and instead awarded a goal kick to Leicester.
footballjournalists.com verdict: This was a contentious call that could very well have gone Chelsea’s way. Thomas made no meaningful contact with the ball while impeding Palmer, who was poised to strike from close range. Though the Blues ultimately secured a penalty later on, this instance warranted serious consideration.
Sancho Wins a Penalty—But Was There Any Doubt?
Chelsea’s fortunes shifted 20 minutes later when Robinson did point to the spot. Sancho, once again influential down the right flank, darted into the area, feigned a retreat to lure his marker, and then pivoted toward the byline. Victor Kristiansen, unable to resist the temptation, lunged in and inadvertently planted his boot on Sancho’s foot. The referee had no hesitation.
footballjournalists.com verdict: Despite the ensuing drama, there was little room for dispute over this decision. Sancho, admittedly, exaggerated his tumble, contorting mid-air in theatrical fashion, but Kristiansen’s ill-timed step onto his toes was sufficient cause for a penalty. A reckless gamble that Chelsea duly profited from.
However, Chelsea’s talisman Palmer failed to capitalize, his tepid effort comfortably smothered by Mads Hermansen. The Leicester goalkeeper’s psychological ploy—delaying the spot-kick—appeared to unnerve Palmer, whose nine-game goal drought remains unbroken. Lacking his usual conviction, the shot lacked venom and direction.
Neto’s Shout Falls Into ‘Probably Not’ Territory
Pedro Neto’s intricate footwork nearly led to another spot-kick, but Robinson remained unmoved. Weaving his way through a forest of Leicester defenders, Neto flicked the ball between the converging figures of Boubakary Soumaré and James Justin. Opting to force his way through, Neto inevitably found himself entangled, hitting Justin’s heel before tumbling to the turf.
Justin, though facing the wrong way, managed the faintest of touches on the ball before inadvertently obstructing Neto with his thigh. The referee waved play on, and Leicester swiftly countered.
footballjournalists.com verdict: A marginal call. Justin’s slight contact with the ball complicates the decision, even if Neto didn’t feel it. There was undeniable physical contact, but the ball had already eluded Neto’s grasp and found its way into the possession of Leicester’s defenders. A close call, but likely the correct decision.
Coady’s Handball—VAR Sees No Foul Play
As Chelsea pressed for a second goal, Sancho unleashed a strike from the edge of the area, only for it to cannon off Conor Coady’s arm and veer wide. Echoing Justin’s earlier involvement, Coady was also turned the wrong way when the ball struck him, hitting him squarely on the elbow.
Chelsea’s players swarmed the referee in protest, but a swift VAR review dismissed any suggestion of wrongdoing. A livid Maresca remonstrated with fourth official Sam Barrott, his frustration palpable.
footballjournalists.com verdict: A subjective call, but one that ultimately aligns with current refereeing standards. VAR refrained from intervening, respecting the initial decision on the pitch. Coady’s arm was away from his torso, but his positioning suggested a natural attempt to block the shot. Had a penalty been given, it’s unlikely VAR would have overturned it. A fortuitous escape for Leicester.
Caicedo’s Lucky Escape From Suspension
Entering this fixture on the precipice of a two-match suspension, Moisés Caicedo’s inclusion was a gamble. Yet, the Ecuadorian midfielder was indispensable, exerting tireless control in the heart of Chelsea’s engine room.
Caicedo has been Chelsea’s defensive fulcrum, covering for teammates less inclined—or capable—of shouldering the defensive burden. His statistical prominence across multiple metrics underlines his influence: third in the league for progressive passes, third for tackles, eighth for interceptions, ninth for touches, and joint-second for yellow cards.
Despite his industrious display, he rode his luck late on. With seven minutes remaining, Caicedo cynically felled Wilfred Ndidi near the halfway line, disrupting Leicester’s build-up play. While it didn’t halt a clear goal-scoring opportunity, it was precisely the type of infringement that could have warranted a booking.
footballjournalists.com verdict: This was a close call that could have easily resulted in suspension-inducing consequences. Chelsea will count themselves fortunate, as a yellow card would have ruled Caicedo out of their pivotal clash with Arsenal. With fatigue setting in, his indiscretion was a reminder of just how fine the margins are at the top level.
Final Thoughts
Chelsea’s win was as vital as it was unconvincing. While they remain well-placed in the battle for Champions League qualification, the lack of a commanding display suggests sterner tests lie ahead. The officiating decisions on the day may have favored them in certain moments, but their performance levels must rise if they are to maintain their push toward the summit of English football.
