Soccer-Resurgent Chelsea claim 3-1 victory at Leicester

LEICESTER, England (Reuters) - Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovacic got on the scoresheet as Chelsea continued their upturn in form with a 3-1 win at Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday.

After a dismal run of two wins in 15 games, Graham Potter's side have won three on the trot in all competitions and are 10th in the league standings with 37 points, while 16th-placed Leicester will now be looking over their shoulders with concern.

High on confidence following wins over Leeds United and Borussia Dortmund, the visitors bossed the opening spell of the game and drew first blood in the 11th minute when Chilwell's crisp left-footed volley beat goalkeeper Danny Ward at his near post.

Chelsea were guilty of taking their foot off the gas after their opener, with forward Joao Felix losing possession in his own half in the 39th minute. The ball broke to forward Patson Daka, who fired his effort past Kepa Arrizabalaga to level the score.

Leicester continued to press forward after the equaliser, but it was Chelsea who scored just before halftime when Enzo Fernandez played Havertz through with a delicate chip, which the German lobbed over the head of Ward and into the net.

The hosts did not let up in their intensity after the break and were denied an equaliser by a goalline clearance from substitute Conor Gallagher, before Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall miscued an effort from five metres to let Chelsea off the hook.

Chelsea made the most of their lifeline, as January signing Mykhailo Mudryk had a goal ruled out for offside before he turned provider for Kovacic, whose thumping volley sealed the three points for the London club in the 78th minute.

(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Davis)