Premier League
ChelseaChelsea1LeicesterLeicester City1

Chelsea 1-1 Leicester City: Wilfred Ndidi secures hard-earned point

By Neil JohnstonBBC Sport
Wilfred Ndidi scored his first Premier League goal since January
Wilfred Ndidi scored his first Premier League goal since January

Frank Lampard said managing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for the first time was the "stuff of dreams", despite Wilfred Ndidi's second-half header earning Leicester City a deserved point.

Chelsea took the lead when 20-year-old midfielder Mason Mount scored a memorable first goal for the Blues after robbing Ndidi of possession just outside the Foxes penalty area before beating Kasper Schmeichel with a low drive.

Lampard's side started with real intent, Spain forward Pedro volleying into the side-netting and France midfielder N'Golo Kante denied a goal against his former club by Christian Fuchs' fine challenge either side of Mount's goal.

Leicester were much better after half-time and secured the point their second-half dominance warranted when Ndidi got between Spain right-back Cesar Azpilicueta and France defender Kurt Zouma to head in from a corner.

Both teams remain without a win, with Leicester on two points from two games, one more than Chelsea.

"It felt great, it is a special moment for me to come back to the club and manage them at Stamford Bridge," said Lampard, who was appointed Blues boss in the summer.

"For me it is a huge thing, but my focus today was on the match and trying to win.

"Thanks very much to the fans, I appreciate that, but I am here to do a job and here to try and win for the club and we can do better than we did today."

Blues fade again on Lampard's homecoming

Despite opening the season with their biggest Old Trafford defeat against Manchester United since 1965, there was a carnival atmosphere inside Stamford Bridge to welcome a Chelsea icon returning to manage the club he spent 13 years playing for.

Lampard's image adorned the front cover of the programme, while the 41-year-old was greeted by the sight of a huge blue-and-white 'Welcome Home Super Frank' banner when he emerged from the tunnel before kick-off.

Chelsea 1-1 Leicester City: Blues need to be more clinical in winning positions - Lampard

Flames from black boxes leapt into the sky as Stamford Bridge reverberated to the sound of Chelsea fans singing 'Super Frank Lampard'.

There were placards and scarves too and it was not long before the veteran of 648 Chelsea appearances was punching the air in celebration when Mount punished Ndidi's hesitancy after the Nigeria midfielder received the ball from Jonny Evans.

Despite the heavy 4-0 defeat, Chelsea had started the game well at Old Trafford last week, hitting the woodwork twice before falling away badly.

Chelsea faded against the Foxes too, especially in comparison to the aggressive start they made in the upbeat atmosphere created by Lampard's return - although their midweek Super Cup exertions in Turkey may have been a factor.

While Leicester failed to muster a shot on target in the first-half, Chelsea managed three in the opening seven minutes including Mount's goal, which was a superb low finish that left Schmeichel flat-footed.

Fuchs' challenge to deny his former team-mate Kante was pivotal, while Mount headed another opportunity at Schmeichel before Leicester responded strongly to take the shine off Lampard's return.

A banner at Stamford Bridge welcoming Frank Lampard
Chelsea fans displayed a banner welcoming their new manager back to Stamford Bridge

Maddison inspires Leicester

Leicester are without a Premier League win in four games in a run that stretches back to last season, but their impressive second-half showing will leave Brendan Rodgers with optimism for the season ahead.

As poor as the Foxes were in the first half, they dominated after the interval and there will be a touch of disappointment they did not go on to seal victory.

Having managed just one shot in the opening 45 minutes, Leicester had 11 attempts in the second half of the match.

There are now few survivors from their legendary 2015-16 title-winning side, but in James Maddison, Rodgers has a player around whom he can build another impressive Foxes team.

The 22-year-old was the stand-out player in the game, not content merely to distribute the ball intelligently but also threaten in the Chelsea box himself.

Maddison, who was called into the England squad last season, rounded Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga but from the byline could not pick out a team-mate to apply the finish.

However the set-piece specialist then delivered the corner that Ndidi headed home for the equaliser as Chelsea were caught cold.

The former Norwich player blazed a late chance to win the game over the bar but, while the game seemed to pass title-winning hero Jamie Vardy by, Maddison's energy and creativity bodes well for Leicester's future.

Man of the match - James Maddison (Leicester)

James Maddison was outstanding as Leicester came back strongly after half-time. He has has created 50 chances from set plays in the Premier League since the start of last season - the most of any player
James Maddison was outstanding as Leicester took control after half-time. He has created 50 chances from set plays in the Premier League since the start of last season - more than any player.

'We need to be more clinical' - what they said

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, speaking to BBC Sport: "It's very early for us. We have to be patient as we are working towards something.

"Two or three nil would have taken the game away from them but we didn't take those chances. That's the story of our season so far. We need to be more clinical, for sure. It is defining."

On the reception he received from Chelsea's fans: "This is home for me and I really appreciated the support. It's my club, I played here so long and I'm slightly disappointed we didn't get the win but I'm thankful to the fans."

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers, speaking to BBC Sport: "It is my fault, the mistake [that led to Chelsea's goal], because I ask my players to build in the game. But it was a brilliant response.

Leicester City's Brendan Rodgers blames himself for the mistake leading to Chelsea's goal

"We were outstanding in the second-half but didn't win the game. We came out with a positive mindset and had chances to put it to bed. The most important thing is getting the players into those positions."

Mount makes Chelsea history - the stats

  • Mason Mount became the first English player to score on his first home appearance for Chelsea in the Premier League since Paul Hughes did so against Derby County in January 1997.
  • Mount became the first English player to score for Chelsea under an English manager since Dennis Wise against Blackburn Rovers in May 1996 (Glenn Hoddle as manager).
  • Frank Lampard is the first Chelsea boss to fail to win any of his first three games in charge of the club since Rafael Benitez in the 2012-13 campaign.
  • Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers has faced Chelsea on 13 occasions as a manager but is yet to register a victory against the Blues.
  • Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi's goal was just his fifth in 90 Premier League appearances, and his first away from home.
  • After winning their first Premier League home game in 12 consecutive seasons between 2003-04 and 2014-15, Chelsea have failed to win three of their last five opening home games in the competition.

What's next?

Both teams are in action against newly promoted teams next, with Chelsea at Norwich on Saturday (12:30 BST) and Leicester at Sheffield United (15:00) on the same day.

Line-ups

Chelsea

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Arrizabalaga
  • 28Azpilicueta
  • 4Christensen
  • 15Zouma
  • 33Emerson
  • 7Kanté
  • 5JorginhoBooked at 37minsSubstituted forKovacicat 71'minutes
  • 19Mount
  • 11Pedro
  • 18GiroudSubstituted forAbrahamat 61'minutes
  • 22PulisicSubstituted forWillianat 71'minutes

Substitutes

  • 3Alonso
  • 8Barkley
  • 9Abraham
  • 10Willian
  • 13Caballero
  • 17Kovacic
  • 29Tomori

Leicester

Formation 4-1-4-1

  • 1Schmeichel
  • 21Ricardo Pereira
  • 6Evans
  • 4Söyüncü
  • 28Fuchs
  • 25Ndidi
  • 17PérezSubstituted forAlbrightonat 80'minutes
  • 8Tielemans
  • 20ChoudhurySubstituted forPraetat 73'minutes
  • 10Maddison
  • 9Vardy

Substitutes

  • 2Justin
  • 5Morgan
  • 11Albrighton
  • 12Ward
  • 14Iheanacho
  • 15Barnes
  • 26Praet
Referee:
Oliver Langford
Attendance:
40,629

Match Stats

Home TeamChelseaAway TeamLeicester
Possession
Home50%
Away50%
Shots
Home14
Away12
Shots on Target
Home5
Away3
Corners
Home4
Away5
Fouls
Home9
Away14

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Chelsea 1, Leicester City 1.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Chelsea 1, Leicester City 1.

  3. Post update

    Foul by Jamie Vardy (Leicester City).

  4. Post update

    Andreas Christensen (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  5. Post update

    Offside, Leicester City. Youri Tielemans tries a through ball, but James Maddison is caught offside.

  6. Post update

    Attempt missed. Tammy Abraham (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by N'Golo Kanté.

  7. Post update

    Foul by James Maddison (Leicester City).

  8. Post update

    César Azpilicueta (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  9. Post update

    Attempt missed. Kurt Zouma (Chelsea) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is too high. Assisted by Pedro.

  10. Post update

    Attempt saved. Youri Tielemans (Leicester City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Marc Albrighton.

  11. Post update

    James Maddison (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  12. Post update

    Foul by César Azpilicueta (Chelsea).

  13. Post update

    Offside, Chelsea. Mateo Kovacic tries a through ball, but Willian is caught offside.

  14. Post update

    Corner, Chelsea. Conceded by Çaglar Söyüncü.

  15. Post update

    Attempt blocked. Mason Mount (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Tammy Abraham.

  16. Post update

    Attempt missed. Mason Mount (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left from a direct free kick.

  17. Post update

    Foul by Dennis Praet (Leicester City).

  18. Post update

    N'Golo Kanté (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  19. Substitution

    Substitution, Leicester City. Marc Albrighton replaces Ayoze Pérez.

  20. Post update

    Foul by Jamie Vardy (Leicester City).

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