Chelsea took a crucial step towards securing a Champions League spot with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Leicester City at Stamford Bridge. Marc Cucurella’s stunning long-range strike in the second half ensured victory for the Blues, who now sit fourth in the Premier League, two points ahead of Manchester City.
Despite the win, Chelsea’s performance was far from convincing. Cole Palmer missed a penalty, continuing his seven-game goal drought, and Leicester almost capitalized on Chelsea’s defensive errors. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s mistake nearly led to a Leicester goal, but Cucurella’s rocket in the 60th minute sealed the win.
For Leicester, their relegation fears deepened as they suffered a fifth straight league defeat, leaving them six points from safety. The Foxes, managed last season by Chelsea’s current boss Enzo Maresca, now face an uphill battle to avoid dropping back to the Championship.
At the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spurs staged a thrilling comeback from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth. After Tottenham’s midweek Europa League defeat to AZ Alkmaar, the pressure was on manager Ange Postecoglou.
Bournemouth took the lead in the 42nd minute when Marcus Tavernier finished off Milos Kerkez’s precise cross. Evanilson doubled the advantage in the 65th minute, slotting past Guglielmo Vicario after a brilliant assist from Justin Kluivert.
Tottenham responded almost immediately, with Pape Sarr’s misjudged cross looping over Kepa Arrizabalaga and into the net. The hosts completed their comeback in the 84th minute when Kepa fouled Son Heung-min inside the box. The South Korean stepped up and calmly converted the penalty, scoring his first goal in 10 matches.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins haunted his former club Brentford by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory. Watkins, jeered by the home fans, struck in the 49th minute with a deflected shot that went past Mark Flekken. Although he later assisted Morgan Rogers for a second goal, it was disallowed for offside.
With the Premier League race for the top four heating up, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Aston Villa’s performances could prove decisive as the season heads toward its climax.
