Marc Cucurella’s second-half strike from 25 yards moved Chelsea fourth in the Premier League after Cole Palmer missed the first penalty of his career in an unconvincing win over second-bottom Leicester City.
Wideman Cucurella’s fifth goal of the season sent his side above Manchester City, although visiting goalkeeper Mads Hermansen made history by becoming the first goalkeeper to deny Palmer from the spot following Victor Kristiansen’s 20th-minute foul on Jadon Sancho.
Leicester went closest to an equaliser when Tosin Adarabioyo headed against his own crossbar during a mix-up with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Cole Palmer thought he was going to score his first goal since January 14th…
Instead he missed his first penalty ever for Chelsea 🙃 pic.twitter.com/IdsVzdOymm
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 9, 2025
The Foxes remain six points from safety with a significant goal inferiority to fourth-bottom Wolves and 10 league games remaining.
Chelsea’s fourth successive home win means they are two points behind third-placed Nottingham Forest, as well as two clear of City and three above sixth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion.
Chelsea vs Leicester: Palmer penalty miss
Facing opponents on a run of four straight defeats without scoring, Chelsea fans could have been forgiven for expecting a straightforward afternoon when Palmer stepped up to take his 13th penalty for the club.
As it was, Hermansen’s exceptional save meant their nerves would have jangled when the woodwork prevented Leicester from ending that long wait for a goal shortly afterwards.
HUGE from Mads! 👏 👏 pic.twitter.com/bby0TXqjQG
— Leicester City (@LCFC) March 9, 2025
Another moment of individual brilliance – this time from the tireless Cucurella – spared Chelsea a surprise result, although they only required a point to move above City.
There was also the curious sight of the out-of-form, dissatisfied-looking Palmer being substituted during the second half as the 22-year-old’s run without scoring in all competitions extended to nine matches.
Palmer should perhaps have released Enzo Fernandez, who also sent a shot against the side netting, after breaking through for a promising opportunity.
Chelsea fixtures
Manager Enzo Maresca will have been relieved to see his players edge past his former team, and Chelsea are next in action when they visit second-placed Arsenal in the league next Sunday (1.30pm GMT).
Leicester will attempt to revive their lacklustre bid to avoid relegation when they host Manchester United – manager Ruud van Nistelrooy’s former club – on the same day at 7pm.