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Leicester City 1-2 Chelsea:
N'Golo Kante strikes against former club after Alvaro Morata bags first Premier League goal away from Stamford Bridge
By Matt Barlow
Three wins on the spin and another goal from Alvaro Morata and Chelsea's summer crisis faded a little further into the distance.
True enough the Premier League champions did not have things all their own way at Leicester.
There were times when their nerves jangled in this high-energy duel but they survived the scares, defended like they really meant it and proved clinical in front of goal.
Record-signing Morata took his goal tally to three in three starts up front, Eden Hazard returned from injury with a classy cameo from the bench.
Tiemoue Bakayoko is looking stronger and fitter in tandem with N'Golo Kante, last season's Footballer of the Year, who scored Chelsea's second goal and was typically flawless in the heart of midfield.
Jamie Vardy, who looks back to his best, Craig Shakespeare's merchant of menace, pulled one back from the spot but Leicester could not summon the equaliser.
Antonio Conte marched across the pitch, punching the air after the final whistle as he was serenaded by travelling fans.
Once again, Conte is the king and his team have the power.
They stalk the Manchester clubs at the top of the table as if the internal strife generated by missed transfers, the exiling of Diego Costa and an opening-day defeat at home against Burnley never happened.
'The mentality was very strong and positive,' said Conte. 'We must be satisfied. It is a good day for the team, and for Alvaro.
'It is always important for the striker to score and, for me, very important to see he is improving and more involved in our idea of football.'
Shakespeare could not have asked much more of his team and it might have been different had Islam Slimani finished a glorious chance, moments before Morata broke the deadlock.
Morata had been denied by Kasper Schmeichel in the opening minutes and was let down by his own touch when Cesc Fabregas split Leicester's defence with a clipped pass.
Chelsea's record signing then saw two efforts blocked by Wes Morgan before he struck after the game had swung from one end to the other and back again.
First, Leicester launched a blistering counter-attack, when Kante was dispossessed by Slimani.
Riyad Mahrez carried the ball at speed to the edge of the Chelsea penalty box, feigned to release Vardy and pulled a reverse pass into the path of Slimani, who had continued his run.
There was only Thibaut Coutois to beat but the goalkeeper was composed, stayed on his feet with eyes and the ball and denied Slimani with a firm right hand.
The ricochet hit the Leicester striker and bounced behind for a goal kick. Seconds later, Chelsea were celebrating.
Cesar Azpilicueta delivered a curling cross from deep on the right and Morata peeled away into Morgan's blind-spot to apply a clinical header at the back-post.
'The big moments are not going our way,' said Shakespeare, having taken only three points from a daunting first four games which included fixtures against Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.
For Morata, it was a third goal since his £75million move from Real Madrid, all of them headers, and he has a fine understanding with fellow Spaniard Azpilicueta.
This goal threw the game open. Leicester careered forward and Shakespeare made a double-change at half-time 'to get his dribblers on the ball' but they could not prevent Chelsea easing further ahead.
Kante was the unlikely goal hero and appeared slightly embarrassed when his low drive from 25 yards found the net, via a slight deflection and a bump into the foot of a post.
There was little pace on the shot but it evaded Morata and Harry Maguire who may have hindered Schmeichel's view and was perfectly placed in the corner.
'It's always a pleasure to score but I keep it inside,' said Kante of his muted celebration. 'I want to respect my old team. I had an amazing year here but when I come I try to win and today was important.'
Two down but Leicester refused accept the inevitable and were back in the contest when Vardy read a back-pass from Azpilicueta and beat Courtois to it before he was tripped.
Over went the England striker and referee Lee Mason made the right call despite protests from Chelsea.
Vardy slammed in the penalty, his 11th goal in 17 Premier League appearances under Shakespeare, and the home crowd detected a chance to get something out of the game.
Andy King, on at half-time, headed wide and the champions were hustled from their stride by Leicester pressure.
Conte sent on Davide Zappacosta, signed from Torino on deadline day, for his debut, and Eden Hazard, his first appearance for his club since breaking an ankle on international duty in June.
The changes made a difference. Zappacosta almost scored and Hazard restored control with his quality in possession, drew the sting from the fight-back and Chelsea took the points.
LEICESTER (4-4-2): Schmeichel 6; Simpson 6, Morgan 6, Maguire 6.5, Fuchs 6; Mahrez 6, Ndidi 6.5, James 6.5 (Iheanacho 78), Albrighton 5 (King 46, 6); Slimani 4 (Gray 46, 6), Vardy 7.
GOAL: Vardy pen 62,
BOOKINGS: Ndidi
SUBS NOT USED: Hamer, Chilwell, Amartey, Ulloa.
MANAGER: Craig Shakespeare 6.
CHELSEA 3-4-2-1: Courtois 6.5; Azpilicueta 6, Luiz 6, Rudiger 6; Moses 6 (Zappacosta 73, 6), Kante 7.5, Bakayoko 7, Alonso 6; Pedro 6 (Willian 63, 5), Fabregas 6 (Hazard 78); Morata 7.
GOALS: Morata 41, Kante 50
SUBS NOT USED: Caballero, Christensen, Drinkwater, Batshuayi.
MANAGER: Antonio Conte 6.5
REF: Lee Mason 6
MOTM: N'Golo Kante
ATT: 35, 923
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Independent:
N'Golo Kante comes back to haunt Leicester as champions Chelsea take all three points at the King Power
Leicester City 1 Chelsea 2: A second-half Jamie Vardy penalty not enough for Foxes as goals from Kante and Alvaro Morata see Blues home
Tim Evershed
A rare N’Golo Kante goal on his return to Leicester City gave champions Chelsea victory over their predecessors at the King Power Stadium.
Kante struck five minutes after half-time with a low shot that appeared to take City keeper Kasper Schmeichel by surprise as it came though a crowd of players to find the bottom corner.
It was the French midfielder’s third Premier League goal doubling the visitors’ lead after Alvaro Morata’s first-half header had opened the scoring for Chelsea. Jamie Vardy pulled a goal back for Leicester who fell to their third defeat of the season.
Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare responded to a loss at Old Trafford with one change. Islam Slimani coming in for Shinji Okazaki to partner Jamie Vardy up front in a 4-4-2 system.
The champions also made one change with Tiemoue Bakayoko replacing Willian in midfield. More significantly Blues boss Antonio Conte was able to name Eden Hazard amongst his substitutes. The Belgian winger missed the start of Chelsea’s season after breaking his ankle while training with his national team in June.
Recent signing Danny Drinkwater was also on the bench enjoying a mixed reception on his immediate return to the East Midlands.
Chelsea started the brighter of the teams with Morata forcing Schmeichel into a save in just the second minute. Behind the Spanish striker Cesc Fabregas was linking well with Bakayoko and Victor Moses while Marcos Alonso was making inroads on the left flank.
The Spanish wing back almost picked out Morata with a cross from a tight angle but Leicester captain Wes Morgan intervened at full stretch to clear the danger.
It was midway through the first half before the home got a clear sight of goal. Jamie Vardy raced onto Riyad Mahrez’s through ball and dragged his shot past the far post.
At the other end Morgan was again called into action as Kante won the ball and his set Morata away. The Leicester captain slid in to send the Spaniard’s shot out for a corner.
An uncharacteristic mistake from Kante, who gave the ball away from a short corner, almost cost his side as Mahrez broke. The Algerian charged towards the Chelsea goal ignoring the run of Vardy to pick out Slimani, his weak shot was swatted away by Courtois.
And a minute later City were made to pay as Cesar Azpilicueta’s looping cross was met by Morata who guided a powerful, downward header past Schmeichel and into the bottom corner of the Leicester goal.
Leicester tried to hit straight back with a flurry of half chances from a corner but ran into some committed Chelsea defending. And it was Victor Moses who had the final say of the half as he stung Schmeichel’s hands with a long-range shot.
Shakespeare reacted by bringing on Andy King and Demarai Gray at the break with Marc Albrighton and Slimani making way.
Within five minutes of the restart the home side had fallen further behind. Kante was allowed time and space 25 yards from goal.
The two-goal lead lasted for quarter of an hour when a penalty offered the home side a route back into the match. Vardy seized on Azpilicueta’s weak back pass and was brought down by Courtois, who gave referee Lee Mason no choice but to point to the spot. The England forward converted the chance with a viciously struck penalty straight down the middle of the goal.
Shakespeare brought on £25 million striker Kelechi Iheanacho off the bench as his side searched desperately for an equaliser. But it was Chelsea who went closest to another goal as Hazard picked out Willian whose shot rolled inches wide of the home goal.
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Observer:
Chelsea hold on as N’Golo Kanté goal edges them past Leicester City
Leicester 1 - 2 Chelsea
Stuart James at the King Power Stadium
After spending the international break reading up on how to improve his understanding of English football’s vocabulary, Antonio Conte swapped a book and the Italian sunshine for three points and grey skies in the Midlands, as Chelsea continued their resurgence with a third successive Premier League victory.
These are still early days, but it feels as though normal service has been resumed with the Premier League champions, as the memories of that chaotic defeat at home against Burnley on the opening weekend of the season begin to fade. Chelsea are up to third in the table, winning matches without playing at their best and, on the evidence of what we have seen so far, will not be losing any sleep about Diego Costa’s absence when Álvaro Morata is in this sort of form.
The Spaniard scored for the third time since his club-record transfer from Real Madrid, expertly guiding a header beyond Kasper Schmeichel to set Chelsea on their way, and N’Golo Kanté marked his return to his former club with a rare goal as Leicester slipped to a third defeat in four matches.
Chelsea did not have everything their own way, however, and there were a few anxious moments for Conte and his players to endure after Jamie Vardy converted a penalty shortly after the hour mark to bring Leicester back into the game. A spell of late Leicester pressure ended with Vardy stretching every sinew but not quite managing to get a touch to a cross from the substitute Andy King that flashed across goal.
Chelsea should have been out of sight by that point. Davide Zappacosta could easily have marked his debut with a goal, but dragged a low shot inches wide of the far upright and Willian, another second-half substitute, ought to have scored in the closing stages when he had only Schmeichel to beat.
In the end, that profligacy never mattered as Chelsea held on for a win that Conte seized on as evidence that the champions are heading in the right direction. “It’s very important to follow our way and this way is to work,” the Chelsea manager said. “Despite our bad start against Burnley, and then a bit of difficulty, to do three wins in a row is important.
“The mentality was very strong, very positive, until the penalty because we were in total control. After the penalty, Leicester tried to put a bit of pressure but, despite this, we created many chances to improve our scoreline. We must be satisfied with that.
“We are trying to involve new players with the old players of last season and this is a process. We need time.”
Morata seems to be adapting quicker than anyone and is proving lethal in the air. His three Chelsea goals have been scored with his head and there was something particularly impressive about the way he steered César Azpilicueta’s superb centre into the bottom corner after drifting away from his marker, Wes Morgan. “A good day for the team and a good day for Álvaro,” said Conte.
The Chelsea manager also saw positive signs in the performance of Tiemoué Bakayoko, who lined up alongside Kanté in a midfield that overpowered Leicester in the first half. Leicester, though, still had their chances, in particular just before Morata’s goal, when Chelsea were hit on the counterattack as Riyad Mahrez released Islam Slimani. The Algerian was one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois, but the Chelsea goalkeeper came out on top, blocking the striker’s shot with his right hand. “The big moments aren’t going our way,” said Craig Shakespeare, alluding to that opportunity.
Leicester had only themselves to blame for Chelsea’s second, which arrived five minutes into the second half and just after Shakespeare had made a couple of substitutions to try to change the game. Kanté, who is not exactly renowned for his goalscoring ability, had so much time and space to look up and strike a 30-yard shot, which took a slight deflection and almost seemed to find the far corner of the net in slow motion.
To their credit, Leicester never surrendered and the home team got their reward when Vardy dispatched a penalty after he had been tripped by Courtois. But they had left themselves too much to do.
“We showed a lot of character and resilience,” said Shakespeare. “But we couldn’t quite find that breakthrough once we got the penalty.”
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Telegraph:
Leicester City 1 Chelsea 2: N'Golo Kante nets against former club as Alvaro Morata continues tidy start
Matt Law
Three successive victories and three goals for record signing Alvaro Morata. For a club that supposedly messed up the transfer window, Chelsea could be far worse off.
Antonio Conte’s men had to hang on to this latest win at times, following Jamie Vardy’s penalty, but there are signs that some of Chelsea’s summer business will prove to be very wise indeed.
Add in the fact that Eden Hazard returned from injury as a late substitute against Leicester City and it is clear that Conte’s squad is more than capable of making sure the Premier League title is not a contest between the two Manchester clubs.
Morata netted for the third time with his head in Chelsea colours and, in Europe’s top leagues, only Andrea Belotti has scored more headed goals than the Spaniard since August last year.
Diego Costa’s absence and possible return to the club next week still casts a shadow over Chelsea off the pitch, but, on it, Morata is proving there is plenty of life after last season’s top scorer.
And midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko showed signs at the King Power Stadium that Nemanja Matic will not be missed quite as much as those inside Manchester United would have you believe.
Bakayoko was a powerful presence in the centre of the pitch and looks like he can form a formidable partnership with N’Golo Kante, who netted a rare goal against his former club.
Morata versus Wes Morgan looked like being a key duel in the early stages of the game. The Spaniard had a shot saved by Kasper Schmeichel, but twice lost out to the Leicester defender in the space of three minutes.
First, Morgan got a foot to a Morata shot to keep it away from goal and the Jamaica international frustrated the 24-year-old again by blocking what looked to be a goalbound effort.
But Morata finally got the better of Morgan in the 41st minute to open the scoring for the visitors with a header from Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross.
Morata’s goal came barely a minute after Leicester had squandered their best chance to take the lead. Islam Slimani robbed N’Golo Kante on the edge of the Foxes penalty area and released Riyad Mahrez towards goal. The Algerian played the ball back to Slimani, but the striker’s shot was saved by Thibaut Courtois.
Most of Slimani’s first-half touches had provoked groans from the home crowd and it was no surprise that he was replaced at the break by Demarai Gray. Andy King was also sent on for Marc Albrighton.
But Leicester’s substitutes did not have the desired immediate impact, as Chelsea doubled their lead through Kante. The midfielder produced a shot from 25 yards more in hope than expectation, but his daisy-cutter caught out Schmeichel and nestled in the corner of the net.
Kante almost looked too embarrassed to celebrate at his old home, where he had only scored once for Leicester. It looked as though Chelsea were cruising to a comfortable victory, but there was a lifeline for Leicester just after the hour mark.
Under pressure from Gray, Cesar Azpilicueta tried to poke the ball back to Thibaut Courtois but Vardy nipped in and the Belgian tripped the England international. Referee Lee Mason had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Vardy fired the ball into the net to enliven what had been a relatively subdued home crowd.
As Chelsea attempted to slow Leicester’s momentum, Conte handed a debut to transfer deadline day signing Davide Zappacosta, who replaced Victor Moses at right wing-back.
The Italian lost his first challenge with Christian Fuchs, but Vardy could not quite get on the end of the left-back’s high cross.
Conte made his final change with 12 minutes remaining, as Hazard made his comeback from injury to make his first Chelsea appearance of the season.
Minutes after stepping on to the pitch, Hazard produced a brilliant pass to set up Zappacosta but his shot bounced just wide of the post with Schmeichel beaten.
And Chelsea felt they should have had a late penalty from which to make the victory safe, when another Morata header hit the arms of Harry Maguire.
The Chelsea players and Conte appealed loudly, but Mason this time allowed play to continue and the visitors managed to hold on to their one-goal advantage.
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Express:
Leicester 1 - Chelsea 2: Morata and Kante goals sink Foxes but no Drinkwater appearance
HIS name is still making headlines at Chelsea for all the wrong reasons.
By HARRY PRATT
But the message from Antonio Conte’s Premier League champions was delivered loud and clear: Life goes on without Diego Costa.
And who better to ram home that point at the King Power Stadium than the £60million hitman signed in the summer to replace unwanted Costa?
Certainly, Chelsea boss Conte, at the centre of the ugly feud with the club’s Spanish rebel, was jumping for joy when Alvaro Morata struck before half-time.
The former Real Madrid ace, 24, is more renowned for rattling in goals with his silky sharp-shooting feet.
Here, however, it was all about his ability to lose his marker Wes Morgan and then rise majestically to power in a sensational header. Indeed, Morata’s third goal in four games for the Londoners was one Costa has made a career out of burying.
So for the second season running at Leicester, Chelsea made light of not having Costa in their ranks.
Back in January Conte had axed the ex-Atletico Madrid forward for the first time following a training ground bust-up.
Many suspected that might seriously harm Chelsea’s title chances. Yet it did nothing of the sort as they beat Claudio Ranieri’s then champions in comfortable fashion.
This visit looked like being equally straightforward when a rare N’Golo Kante effort, against his former club, doubled the lead after half-time.
But Jamie Vardy’s reply from the penalty spot meant Conte and his team were forced to scrap until the end to record a third straight victory.
After, Conte hailed the impressive form of his top scorer and the way his side have recovered from their opening day debacle against Burnley.
He said: “Yes, it’s a good day for sure – for the team and for Alvaro.
“It’s always important for your striker to be scoring goals but even more important for me is the way he is becoming more involved in the way we play our football.
“Despite our bad start and some difficulty, to win three games in a row is impressive and important.”
Leicester’s Craig Shakespeare was keen to stay upbeat after this latest reverse – their third in a row. He said: “Performance wise, I thought we were good and we went to the end.
“When you go 2-0 down to a side of Chelsea’s calibre you can easily lose by three or four. But we fought back.”
Chelsea condemned their fans for ‘unacceptable’ racist chants during the win at Leicester.
A song celebrating Morata included antisemitic references aimed at rivals Spurs.
A spokesman said: “Both the club and the player request the supporters stop singing that song.”
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Sun:
Leicester 1 Chelsea 2:
Alvaro Morata and N’Golo Kante goals sink Foxes as Eden Hazard makes return from injury at King Power
Spanish striker Morata put Blues ahead before Kante doubled lead but Jamie Vardy penalty made for nervy ending
By Andrew Dillon and Anthony Chapman
N’GOLO KANTE scored his first Premier League goal since October to seal his old club’s fate and lift Chelsea into second place.
The pint-sized midfielder scores rare but spectacular goals and lived up to his reputation again with a 35 yard screamer in the 50th minute.
It certainly took City keeper Kasper Schemichel by surprise as he was left stranded as the low shot dribbled past his right hand and into the bottom corner of the net.
It's Kante's first league goal since a dazzling solo effort in the 4-0 hammering of Manchester United last season and it was enough to see off a second half fightback from Leicester.
Alvaro Morata had earlier headed Chelsea ahead with his third goal since making a £68 million move from Real Madrid in the summer.
But modest Kante, who drives a mini, will be the one grabbing the limelight for once with his incredible finish which secured three points for the defending champions.
And they sit just one point behind Manchester City for now at least as they get into gear after a shaky start to the season.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte had another Leciester old boy on the bench in Danny Drinkwater but brought on new left back Davide Zappacosta.
Eden Hazard also came on with 12 minutes left for his first appearance of the season as Chelsea's campaign seems to be finally gaining some momentum.
Conte's squad is now brimming with talent and is surely strong enough to handle the rigours of Premier League football and a return to the Champions League which starts on Tuesday with the visit of Azerbaijani's Qarabag to Stamford Bridge.
City boss Craig Shakespeare was forced into a double substitution at half time as his side looked like being overrun.
He brought on Andy King and unsettled winger Demarai Gray to give more bite in midfield but City gave themselves a glimmer of hope from the penalty spot.
Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois legged over Jamie Vardy in the 61st minute and the Leicester striker thumped home a shot from the spot to set up a tense final half an hour.
FACTS, STATS, GOALS AND LOLS
Leicester have now lost 12 of their last 14 games against Chelsea in all competitions
Chelsea have now won six of their last seven away matches against the Foxes
Leicester have only kept one home Premier League clean sheet against Chelsea in 11 matches
It’s Chelsea’s first away win in September for four seasons
The Blues have won 14 of their last 18 away matches in the Premier League
Leicester have now lost 10 of their 15 league matches against the established ‘top six’
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Mirror:
Leicester City 1-2 Chelsea: Alvaro Morata and N'Golo Kante secure points for Blues
Jamie Vardy halved the deficit to set up a nervy finish but Antonio Conte's side held on
BY JAMES NURSEY
N'Golo Kante's stunning long-range strike earned Chelsea the points and condemned his former side Leicester to defeat.
Alvaro Morata broke the deadlock with his third goal of the season for the Blues after a super Cesar Azpilicueta cross.
The Blues doubled their lead five minutes into the second half through N'Golo Kante, who drilled a low shot from range into the bottom left corner.
Thibaut Courtois gave Leicester a lifeline by tripping Jamie Vardy inside the box and the England striker buried the penalty by striking it powerfully down the middle.
Chelsea rode their luck late on but saw the game out for a third straight victory.
1. ALVARO MORATA ON FIRE
Real Madrid fans must be wondering if their club messed up selling Alvaro Morata after he continued his fine start in Chelsea colours.
Madrid have failed to win their opening two matches at Bernabeu for the first time since 1995 following today's draw with Levante.
But Spanish international Morata can't stop scoring for Chelsea following his £60million summer signing from the Spanish giants. Here he made it three goals in four Premier League matches with a clinical first half header after also scoring as a sub on international duty with Spain in their win over Italy.
2. N'GOLO KANTE SHOWS HIS CLASS
N'Golo Kante was deservedly crowned PFA player of the year last term as he won back to back titles after swapping Leicester for Chelsea.
Leicester players and fans appreciate his talents as much as anyone. And the midfield dynamo underlined his class back at the King Power with a fine low right-foot shot into the bottom corner from outside the box in the 50th minute to make it 2-0.
Ironically it was Wilfred Ndidi, bought to replace Kante, who failed to close him down quick enough as the French ace despatched a fine low finish. Kante also showed his class by not celebrating out of respect to his old club
3. ANTONIO NOT A WOLLY WITH A BROLLY
Blues boss Antonio Conte caught the eye with his touchline theatrics – especially when it started raining heavily.
The Italian donned a baseball hat and a Chelsea overcoat, as well as holding a fluorescent bib. It was quite a sight and at times he appeared to be directing traffic not his players.
But his players got the message loud and clear as Alvaro Morata headed his side infront.
4. Mahrez back on the grid
Riyad Mahrez's location on deadline day remains as mystery as he chased a transfer.
But the 2016 PFA player of the year was most definitely back at the King Power after being given permission to leave Algeria's camp in the international break in an ill-fated bid to get a big-money move.
It was like the title-winning days when Mahrez picked out Vardy with a defence-splitting pass in the 25 minute but the striker's first-time right-foot shot went wide. Mahrez also picked out compatriot Islam Slimani in the first half but the striker's effort was saved
5. Maguire a good investment
Craig Shakespeare said in the build up to this game that the £17million Leicester paid for centre-back Harry Maguire already looks a bargain.
He was referencing some of the other fees being offered elsewhere close to the deadline for other players with just 12 months left on their contracts.
Had City bought Maguire in August rather than June they could have expected to pay a lot more. Maguire has quickly earned an England call-up and looks at home in the Foxes' defence - often stylishly bringing the ball out from the back.
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Star:
Leicester 1 Chelsea 2: Alvaro Morata and N'Golo Kante on target
HIS name is still making headlines at Chelsea for all the wrong reasons.
But yesterday the message from Antonio Conte’s champions was delivered loud and clear: life goes on without Diego Costa.
And who better to ram home that point than the £60million hitman signed to replace him?
Certainly Chelsea boss Conte – at the centre of the ugly feud with the club’s Brazil-born rebel forward – was jumping for joy when Alvaro Morata struck before half-time.
The ex-Real Madrid ace is more renowned for rattling in goals with his sharp-shooting feet.
Here, however, it was all about his ability to lose his marker Wes Morgan and then rise majestically to power in a sensational header.
Morata’s goal was the type Costa has made a career out of, and it meant for the second season running that Chelsea made light of not having the wantaway forward in their ranks at the King Power Stadium.
In January Conte axed Costa for the first time following a training ground bust-up.
Many suspected that might seriously harm their title chances, yet they beat Claudio Ranieri’s then-champions comfortably.
This visit looked like being equally straightforward when N’Golo Kante doubled the lead against his former club after half-time.
But Jamie Vardy’s reply from the penalty spot meant Conte’s side were forced to scrap until the end to record a third straight victory, which keeps them right in touch at the top.
In contrast, Foxes boss Craig Shakespeare has now seen his men lose three on the spin.
And despite it still being early days, hovering just above the relegation zone on three points is not a position he or the club’s big-spending owners will expect to be in for much longer.
Both managers had spent the build-up attempting to disguise their unhappiness over their respective club’s late transfer business.
Conte – reportedly fuming at the failure to land Fernando Llorente, Ross Barkley and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – claimed he was delighted with the squad at his disposal.
One of those who did arrive on time, was Danny Drinkwater from Leicester.
The £35million England midfielder also featured heavily in Shakespeare’s pre-match chat as he expressed his “disappointment” at the departure. Given the strong benches, the overall picture did not look too bad for either.
Shakespeare again left £25million hitman Kelechi Iheanacho out of his starting line-up.
Conte did likewise with Drinkwater, Eden Hazard, Davide Zappacosta and Willian.
With Vardy leading the line in typical livewire fashion, Leicester set the pace.
But they had to wait until the 25th minute to carve out a genuine opportunity, when Matty James slipped in Vardy who fired wide.
Chelsea were far from convincing, but that changed in the closing stages of the first half.
Seconds after Islam Slimani was denied by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, the Blues struck with a lightning counter-attack.
And it was an opener made in Spain as Cesar Azpilicueta swung in a pin-point cross for compatriot Morata to nod in quite beautifully.
If that was frustrating for Leicester, their mood nosedived five minutes into the second period as Kante delivered a killer blow.
His 25-yard drive lacked pace but was deadly accurate, creeping through a crowded area and past Kasper Schmeichel’s despairing dive.
That should have been game, set and match but Vardy gave Chelsea something to think about when scored from the spot after he was tripped by Courtois in the 61st minute.
Shakespeare said: “When you go 2-0 down to a side of Chelsea’s calibre you can easily lose by three or four. But we fought back, got a penalty but just couldn’t get another goal.
“We knew our first six games would be tough. But we dug in and that’s a credit to my players.”
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