Enzo Maresca’s return to the King Power Stadium saw Nicholas Jackson led brilliance outclass Leicester City to leave Steve Cooper’s side at risk of falling into the bottom three as Chelsea Won two goals to one.

Chelsea dominated their hosts for most of the game but a lack of sharpness in front of goal almost cost them late on as Leicester pulled a goal back through a Jordan Ayew penalty, leading to a nervous final few minutes.

After draws against Manchester United and Arsenal before the international break, Chelsea came flying out of the traps and Jackson punished Leicester for not clearing their lines in the 15th minute.

The visitors won a long Leicester kick-out and immediately started making their way back up the pitch before Fernandez found Jackson, who took a touch before flicking the ball past Foxes keeper Mads Hermansen with the outside of his right boot.

Chelsea continued to dominate and should have gone two up in the 54th minute, but Madueke ran ahead of the play and could not get out of the way of Palmer's close-range shot at an empty net, deflecting his effort wide.

Chelsea captain Fernandez spared his blushes in the 75th-minute, reacting quickest after Hermansen saved from Jackson to head home the rebound, but the Foxes did not give up.

By five minutes at the end of the first half, Leicester were second-best throughout, and were deservedly defeated, Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez scoring for the visitors, with the consolation coming through Jordan Ayew’s 95th-minute penalty.

The Chelsea dominance did not let up. For 35 minutes they penned Leicester back, and Hermansen was needed to deny Noni Madueke, the England winger then seeing a goal ruled out for offside.

But with 10 minutes to play in the half, City came alive. They’d not had a touch in the Chelsea box, never mind a shot, to that point, but went close when McAteer curled past the far post after a swift breakaway, with Wilfred Ndidi then slicing wide from Victor Kristiansen’s cross.

But that hope didn’t lead to a strong start to the second half. City were again on the back foot and were fortunate for a Chelsea mix-up, with Madueke blocking Cole Palmer’s goal-bound shot on the line as he looked set to gobble up a rebound and make it 2-0.

But from the next rebound, Fernandez made no mistake. Jackson beat Okoli to a cross and headed at goal, Hermansen parrying. But Kristiansen didn’t keep track of the Argentinian midfielder, who nodded in.

Nicolas Jackson once again proved that he can lead the line for the Blues. Jackson has received a lot of criticism since joining Chelsea last season. The Senegalese striker hasn’t always been the most prolific of goalscorers, with the Blues constantly linked with signing a more recognised name.

But Jackson continues to prove his doubters wrong. Jackson’s seventh goal of the season was no more than Chelsea deserved. Fernández had registered his fifth assist in three games and was proving elusive in an advanced role.

Palmer played a gorgeous ball to Marc Cucurella, only for a VAR check to show the left-back was offside when he crossed for Noni Madueke to fire home.

Leicester City have now lost four of their last five matches in all competitions. Chelsea are now third on the table, just a point shy of second place Manchester City.