Chelsea coasted to a 3-0 away win over Leicester City as Thomas Tuchel s team powered on at the top of the Premier League on Saturday.
Brendan Rodgers home side had twice defeated Tuchel s men in 2021 already, but the Blues raced into a two-goal lead this time as Antonio Rudiger and N Golo Kante struck in the first half.
The visitors remained utterly dominant after the break and added a well-deserved third through substitute Christian Pulisic against the hapless Foxes, who did not record a single shot until the 58th minute.
Chelsea, who collected a fourth successive away league win without conceding for the first time since December 2008, at least briefly moved six points clear at the summit.
50% Exactly 50% of Antonio Rüdiger s eight Premier League goals have come against Leicester (4), the only Premier League side the German has netted more than once against in the competition. Foxy.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)
No Premier League team had scored more headed goals than Chelsea this season (four), while no side had conceded more than Leicester (four) ahead of this game, and Rudiger s 14th-minute opener continued the trend.
Ben Chilwell, who rattled the crossbar after just three minutes against his former club, delivered to the near post where Rudiger deftly flicked into the top-left corner.
Ademola Lookman thought he had equalised but was denied by the offside flag, before former Leicester midfielder Kante drove forward and arrowed past Kasper Schmeichel in the 28th minute to double Chelsea s advantage.
Schmeichel produced a magnificent save after the interval to thwart Chilwell and, not to be outdone by his opposite number, Edouard Mendy responded with a similarly brilliant stop against Daniel Amartey.
Substitutes Hakim Ziyech and Pulisic then combined, but the latter could only poke wide.
However, the same combination proved fruitful when Ziyech found the United States international, who prodded through Schmeichel s legs from close range after 71 minutes.
Pulisic and Reece James saw late strikes ruled out for offside as Chelsea cruised to victory.
What does it mean? Classy Chelsea in cruise control
Chelsea offered Leicester, who have won just three of their last 19 top-flight meetings with the Blues, no chance as they maintained their unbeaten start in away league games this campaign.
Tuchel s side have triumphed in their last four Premier League games on the road by an aggregate score of 10-0 and this win gave them a six-point cushion over West Ham and Manchester City, ahead of their weekend games.
Kante comes back to haunt his old club
Kante had scored just two goals across a span of 51 Premier League games, but since then he has got as many in just six league outings after scoring against his former club.
Only Chris Wood (four) and Emile Heskey (three) have netted more times against Rodgers side as a former Fox than Kante (two).
Foxes talisman Vardy struggles
Rodgers, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United recently, can usually rely on Jamie Vardy, with the England forward just two goals away from equalling Ian Wright’s Premier League record of 93 goals scored after turning 30.
However, Vardy has only scored in one of his 10 Premier League games against sides at the top of the table – the forward managing just one shot against Chelsea as he headed over from a presentable opportunity in the second half.
Key Opta facts
Chelsea have won nine of their first 12 games in a Premier League season for the 10th different time, with the Blues finishing no lower than third in those previous campaigns and winning the title on five occasions.
Leicester are winless in their last 17 Premier League games against opponents starting the day top of the table (D2 L15), conceding 40 goals in the process (2.35 per game).
No side can point to more Premier League away wins at the King Power Stadium than Chelsea (5 – level with Tottenham and Manchester City).
Leicester have conceded in 11 consecutive Premier League games for the first time since Boxing Day 2016.
Of all players with 10 or more goals, only Andre Schurrle (82 per cent) has scored a higher share of Premier League goals away from home for Chelsea than Pulisic (67 per cent 10 of 15).
Chelsea wing-back James has been directly involved in eight goals in his last eight Premier League appearances (4 goals, 4 assists), after registering five goal involvements in his first 57 games in the competition. Here, he played the pass infield that set Kante off on his charge for the second goal.
What s next?
Chelsea host Manchester United next Sunday after Tuesday s Champions League home clash against Juventus. Leicester invite Legia Warsaw to the King Power Stadium on Thursday in the Europa League before Watford visit there three days later.
