LONDON (AP) – Raheem Sterling’s first goal for Chelsea gave the 10-man Blues a 2-1 win over winless Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday.
Sterling’s second-half double proved decisive at Stamford Bridge as the hosts overcame an early penalty from England midfielder Conor Gallagher.
Head coach Thomas Tuchel was also absent as he was suspended following a clash with Antonio Conte in his opener at home against Tottenham, while Gallagher was sent off twice in the 28th minute Yellow card.
Chelsea were awarded an early penalty when Ruben Loftus-Cheek went down in the box, but referee Paul Tierney overturned Kai Havertz’s decision after he was ruled offside.
The visitors thought they had the lead seven minutes before the break when Harvey Barnes headed in but their effort was ruled out by a foul by Blues goalkeeper Edouard Mendy outer.
The hosts came close to breaking the deadlock four minutes later when Reece James fired in from Sterling’s cross and Jamie Vardy widened the other end after a superb performance by Yuri Tielemans.
A little more than a minute after the restart, Sterling broke the deadlock with a shot from the edge of the penalty area and was found by Cucurella.
The Blues brought in Cesar Azpilicueta at half-time, who went from a back four to three and looked more threatening.
Sterling doubled their lead in the 63rd minute with a James cross at the far post. However, the Foxes pulled one back three minutes later when Barnes beat Mendy at the near post.
Vardy fired a shot into the side net and Ayoze Perez came close as the visitors sought an equaliser. However, Chelsea kept their first home win.
Leicester defender Wesley Fofana has been left out of Brendan Rodgers’ squad amid reports that he is close to completing a move to Chelsea.
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