Chelsea close in towards winning the English Premier League title

Leicester: Chelsea took another step towards winning the English Premier League title as second-half goals from Didier Drogba, John Terry and Ramires helped them overturn a half-time deficit to win 3-1 at in-form Leicester City.

 

Jose Mourinho’s side can now secure the crown if they beat Crystal Palace on Sunday after overcoming a scare against a side who looked far from relegation contenders on this evidence.

 

Leicester, who had won their previous four games, struck just before the break through Marc Albrighton and looked value for their lead until Chelsea raised their game in the second half.

 

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho admitted he had been far from happy with the first-half display, though, he had to restrain himself from revealing what he said to the players at the break.

 

“If I repeat on television what I said it will be ‘peep peep peep’. Too many peeps!” said the Portuguese. 

Mourinho, who has regained some of his lustre since returning after a largely underwhelming spell with Real Madrid, said Palace would not be a walkover on Sunday.

 

“Stamford Bridge is ready to celebrate but if I can ask something from them it is to not celebrate,” said Mourinho. “We all want to win on Sunday but it will be a difficult game.” His Leicester counterpart Nigel Pearson graciously said Chelsea would be worthy title winners and insisted his side would still avoid an immediate return to the second tier.

 

“There is a feeling we are capable and have given ourselves a better chance of avoiding relegation,” siad Pearson. “Tonight is a setback because when you go ahead you expect to push on but we came up against a side able to take advantage of their quality in second half.”

 

Leicester started well and Jamie Vardy headed straight at Petr Cech from Albrighton’s cross before the former’s snapshot from 25 yards just missed the target. 

Leicester were dealt a blow when midfielder Andy King, on his 300th appearance for the club, was forced off with an early knock and replaced by Matty James.

 

The hosts shortly afterwards suffered another injury with Robert Huth coming off after an innocuous challenge at a corner with Ritchie De Laet coming on to necessitate a switch to a flat back four.