Chelsea defeated Leicester City to leapfrog the Brendan Rodgers side in the Premier League table.

Player ratings:

EDOUARD MENDY – 7

Didn’t have much to do as Chelsea pegged Leicester back in their own half.

But goalkeeper was cool and composed with some clever short kicks to keep his side on the front foot.

REECE JAMES – 6

Deployed at centre-back again, presumably keeping the spot warm for Andreas Christensen ahead of the Champions League final.

Wasn’t able to do his usual damage going forward but kept Jamie Vardy on a tight leash and helped bulk up midfield during attacking phases.

THIAGO SILVA – 7

Reliable and solid, Silva might just be the league’s best-ever free transfer.

The Brazilian oozed class yet again with some well-time tackles and was also a constant set-piece threat up the other end of the pitch.

ANTONIO RUDIGER – 9

Looking more and more comfortable on the left of the three.

Rudiger had the confidence to pull off some brilliant forward runs, and his excellent performance was rewarded with a goal.

CESAR AZPILICUETA – 6

Veteran Spaniard looked blunt going forward against defensive Leicester, constantly failing to beat Thomas and instead being forced to turn back inside for an unimaginative pass.

However, he kept a tight ship at the back and made sure James had proper cover in his battle with Vardy.

N’GOLO KANTE – 7

Energetic and dynamic as he burst from box to box in typical fashion.

However, Kante was forced off injured in the first half and Chelsea will be sweating over his fitness for the Champions League final.

JORGINHO – 7

Has been looking more tired as the season has gone on but put in a good showing tonight.

Passing was very tidy and netted a VERY cheeky penalty for 2-0.

BEN CHILWELL – 6

Got himself into good attacking positions but final ball was always lacking.

Made sure he was constantly harassing Castagne whenever possible, creating extra space for Chelsea’s forwards.

MASON MOUNT – 8

Here, there and everywhere in the final third for the Blues.

Mount led from the front and bamboozled Leicester with an array of tricks and incredible displays of pace.

TIMO WERNER – 8

A real livewire up front, his runs were too much for Leicester’s backline.

Scored twice – even though both were ruled out – and even won a penalty, but needs a goal to stick if he’s to continue up top next term.

CHRISTIAN PULISIC – 7

Chelsea’s speedy maestro tormented the Foxes as he drifted in a free role.

Another Blue who could do with a goal, Pulisic did struggle to get his shots away properly.

SUBS

MATEO KOVACIC (for Kante, 32’) – 5

Looked rusty after finally making his comeback from injury and indecisiveness on the ball saw Leicester pull one back late on.

Some more sloppy play then saw the Foxes miss the chance for a heart-breaking equaliser.

KURT ZOUMA (for Azpilicueta, 87’) – N/A

OLIVIER GIROUD (for Werner, 90′) – N/A

Antonio Rudiger has identified the reason Chelsea lost their heads with Leicester, saying they wanted to punish the Foxes for disrespecting them.

Both clubs face a charge of failing to control their players after a bench-clearing touchline melee during Tuesday night’s 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge.

But Rudiger, who sparked the sensational scenes by shoving Ricardo Pereira in the back after a foul on Mason Mount, claims they were motivated by payback.

Scuffle #CHELEI Mike Dean does what he does best. VAR check complete. pic.twitter.com/B54b4otjTY

— ImNotADj🎧 (@mpatimedia) May 18, 2021

Chelsea lost the FA Cup final to Leicester and were furious when footage emerged of Foxes defender Daniel Amartey throwing their pennant on the floor.

Rudiger said: “We wanted to show to them because top four was on the line and unfortunately some people from them don’t know how to celebrate.

Trending video of Amartey throwing Chelsea into 3rd and champions league qualification.
Mason mount/Pulisic/Mike Dean
Rudiger/Werner#CHELEI pic.twitter.com/ayoPz4bflX

— Saßu (@SabuDaniels) May 18, 2021

“We had to punish them for this. After we lost the final we talked with each other, that it’s a massive game coming up and we are on it.

“Some people from them gave us a bit more motivation. Congratulations to them, they won.

“Celebrate and everything. But don’t disrespect club history. This is a bit bigger than you.”

You tell them @ToniRuediger! 👌#ChelseaIndia #CHELEIpic.twitter.com/2eotqYsXkw

— Chelsea India (@ChelseaIndia) May 19, 2021

Photo Credit: ChelseaFC/Twitter

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has reacted to the 30-man brawl involving the Blues and Leicester after tensions flared at Stamford Bridge.

The west London club gained revenge for their FA Cup final defeat with Jorginho’s winning penalty in a 2-1 win boosting their top-four hopes.

Yet the late melee should see both clubs receive sanctions as players, subs and coaches squared up and grappled with each other.

Tempers boiled over when Antonio Rudiger pushed Ricardo Pereira – who was booked for a challenge on Ben Chilwell – with even Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers trying to separate warring stars.

Sub Daniel Amartey, who was accused of ‘disrespect’ for chucking the Chelsea pennant to the Wembley floor, was the only man booked for the scuffles.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said: “I know there was an incident, but I didn’t talk about it before the match or in any meetings. But I think the players were well aware.

“I’m not into these things too much because it can sometimes give you too much energy, too much a feeling for revenge. I don’t like this at all.

“We prepared for a super important match and did what we do, how we play football. We wanted to do it at the highest level possible and this is what we did.

“We needed the intensity and hunger that make us a difficult team to play. There’s nothing more I can say about it.”

Scenes at the end were reminiscent of an acrimonious night in 2016 when Chelsea and Tottenham clashed at Stamford Bridge as a draw handed Leicester the Premier League title.

Leicester hitman Kelechi Iheanacho said: “Antonio Rudiger went aggressively on Ricardo Pereira and that is what caused the fight. I was telling him to calm down.”

Chelsea leapfrogged Leicester into third place and will finish there if they beat Aston Villa on Sunday.

Tuchel said: “It was an outstanding performance but the job is not done.

“The return of the fans made a huge difference. The speed in our game, the hunger, the ambition.

“It was a very strong performance and I’m delighted the team can present itself like this in front of our fans.

“We played courageously, high intensity, aggressively. Happy to have the win. But I need to repeat – it’s not done.”

Mount,Silva and Azpilicueta when they realised it was Amartey 💙💙💙💙Honestly I love this Bluessssss passion and fighting spirit 💙💙💙🔥🔥 #CHELEI pic.twitter.com/EbrXt32fdm

— Lampard💎 (@Akuetieme_lawal) May 18, 2021

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel confirmed N’Golo Kante foresaw a problem so was replaced as a preventative measure.

Kante felt an injury coming on so asked to be subbed against Leicester.

The French World Cup winner was replaced by Mateo Kovacic after just 32 minutes but Tuchel was confident it was just a preventative measure.

After the game, the German said: “N’Golo is not injured. He told me – and I understood him right in French – he went out before an injury.

“He felt his hamstrings and was worried that he would get injured if he continued to play.

“The job is not done yet!”

Reports in England claim that the two Manchester clubs are poised to offer Harry Kane £80million in wages to tempt the Tottenham striker.

The Three Lions captain is thought to be keen on a better shot at winning trophies, having drawn a blank so far in his career

According to The Sun, they are both prepared to hand him a five-year contract with a £300,000-a-week basic salary — £70k up on his Tottenham deal, which still has three years to run.

Chelsea are also in the hunt for Kane, 27, but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has placed a massive price tag on the Prem’s 22-goal top scorer.

And it is understood the battle for Kane’s signature is set to be a straight fight between the two Manchester rivals, who believe they offer him the best chance to win trophies.

There would be further bonuses for goals scored and success on the pitch, making Kane one of the Prem’s best-paid players.

Prem champs City are thought to be Kane’s preferred option.

But United feel the England skipper can be one of the final pieces in their jigsaw.

When quizzed after the 1-1 home draw with Fulham on Tuesday evening, boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “I can’t say we’re not signing a striker.

“We’re building towards a better squad. Hopefully we end up with a stronger squad when we start next season and be more consistent to challenge the one in front of us.”

He added: “I can’t comment on other teams’ players or what has been speculated.

“I want to show Tottenham the respect they deserve.”

Kane’s Spurs exit is poised to spark an exodus of stars from the Londoners.

Chelsea beat Leicester 2-1 at Stamford Bridge with an impressive performance and avenged Saturday’s FA Cup Final loss.

In what was an eventful first half, the Blues had two goals disallowed, both of which were scored by Timo Werner who was caught offside and found to have handled the ball on separate occasions.

Thomas Tuchel’s men protested for a penalty on Werner, who was quite the centre of attention in the first 45 minutes, when Youri Tielemans grounded him by kicking the back of his foot inside the box only for referee Mike Dean to award a foul the other way.

The west Londoners got unlucky as N’Golo Kante, who was a constant threat for his former team, had to be replaced by the returning Mateo Kovacic as a precaution ahead of the Champions League Final.

But the hosts wouldn’t be denied in the second half as they opened the scoring after 47 minutes when Antonio Rudiger tapped the ball to the back of the net following a corner-kick by Ben Chilwell.

Jorginho doubled Chelsea’s lead from the penalty spot with a cool finish after Werner was fouled inside the box on 66 minutes.

Kelechi Iheanacho set the match on fire with a sudden strike just 10 minutes later but Leicester couldn’t find an equaliser.

Photo Credit: ChelseaFC/Twitter