Chelsea came back after the international break with an important victory on the road at Leicester City.
Chelsea secured a 2-1 away victory at the King Power Stadium on Saturday afternoon against Leicester, which consolidates third spot in the Premier League table for them.
The Blues opened the scoring in the early kick-off with Nicolas Jackson’s 15th minute strike. He provided an elegant finish with the outside of his boot. Afterwards, Enzo Fernandez doubled the visitors’ advantage with a header into an open net in the second-half.
Jordan Ayew pulled one back with his penalty kick in stoppage time for Leicester, but they didn’t have enough time to equalise.
Enzo Maresca has been working hard with Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson in training, something which is clearly showing on the pitch. It’s now seven goals in 12 Premier League appearances for him this season.
Emmanuel Petit on Nicolas Jackson goal
Emmanuel Petit was left waxing lyrical about Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson for the quality of his match-winning goal against Leicester.
“The first goal, Jackson challenged the ball, he looked strong physically, and you know, it looks hard to get the ball. The first touch to avoid the defender is brilliant, the way he won the ball, the first touch is beautiful, just remarkable,” Petit said via the Premier League’s official website (1:29pm, 23 November).
Rio Ferdinand thinks Chelsea’s Jackson is unfairly criticised. However, the 23-year-old centre-forward is now starting to receive widespread praise for his consistent performances.
Gianfranco Zola believes Chelsea’s Jackson is improving this season as the team around him gets better. In the win over Leicester, he showed his all-round game is of the highest standard.
Nicolas Jackson statistics vs Leicester
Jackson provided the moment of individual quality against Leicester with a fantastic finish inside the penalty box.
Here are Jackson’s individual statistics versus Leicester via Fotmob:
- Match rating – 8.2
- Minutes played – 89
- Goals – 1
- Total shots – 3
- Shots on target – 3/3 (100%)
- Successful dribbles – 1/1 (100%)
- Touches – 28
- Accurate passes – 6/8 (75%)
- Chances created – 1
It feels like Jackson is slowly becoming the kind of regular goalscorer to lead the line that Chelsea have craved for years.
