Iheanacho makes history but Leicester City’s Champions League hopes suffer a huge blow

The Nigerian international scored his 12 league goal of the season, but it was not enough to prevent the Foxes from avoiding defeat at Stamford Bridge

Kelechi Iheanacho came off the bench to score for Leicester City, but it was not enough as they suffer a 2-1 loss to Chelsea in their Premier League clash on Tuesday night.

The ex-Manchester City man knew he could make history by becoming the first player to score on all days of the week in a single Premier League season and he did just that.

Both sides had met three days earlier in the FA Cup final, with Youri Tielemans strike handing Leicester the win at Wembley.

Iheanacho started that game, but he started from the bench on Tuesday night, with James Maddison selected in his place.

Leicester started on the back foot as Chelsea were all over them in the first half, but the Blues could not find a breakthrough- although they had two goals disallowed and a penalty shout ignored.

However, their dominance eventually paid off just a minute after the break as Antonio Ruediger bundled the ball home from close range.

It got better for Thomas Tuchel’s men as they were awarded a penalty in the 66th minute, which Jorginho successfully converted.

Knowing their top-four hopes is at stake, Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers introduced Kelechi Iheanacho on the hour mark just before Chelsea got their second.

Nonetheless, Iheanacho made his presence felt as he pulled one back for the Foxes after receiving a pass from his countryman, Wilfred Ndidi.

It’s Iheanacho’s 12th league goal of the season, but more importantly, he is now the first player in the competition’s history to score on all days of the week in a season.

The FA Cup winners pushed forward for an equaliser following Iheanacho’s goal, but Chelsea defended well to hold on for an important win.

It’s a result that damages Leicester’s hopes of finishing in the top four this season. The two sides went into the encounter with Champions League football at stake, and in the end, Chelsea are now in control while Leicester could now miss out in similar circumstances to last season.

The Foxes will leave the top four should Liverpool get the three points against Burnley tomorrow night. And having stay inside the top four for most parts of the season, it would be a disappointing end to their campaign.