Make no mistake about it: English Premiership defending champions Chelsea are neck-deep in relegation battle after buckling 1-2 to table toppers Leicester City on Monday night.

It’s been a disastrous league campaign for the Londoners so far, and with hopes raised by their impressive 2-0 win over Porto to top their European Champions League group on Wednesday, The Blues failed to show consistency once again as they allowed the homers to take control of the game in the early minutes of the game.

Leicester, coached by Claudio Ranieri who was sacked for Jose Mourinho during the beginning of Chelsea’s spell as a major force of the Premiership, needed to win to get back on top after watching Arsenal win away to Aston Villa on Sunday to go top.

They produced the required high tempo performance, forcing Chelsea to commit schoolboy errors.

They were rewarded midway into the first half when a beautifully whipped cross from the right flank was converted by goal machine Jamie Vardie, who flicked past Chelsea’s ’keeper Thibaut Coutois.

In the early hours of the second half, Leicester doubled their lead through a beauty of a goal from Mahrez. He bamboozled Chelsea’s defence before letting fly a curved shot from outside the edge of Chelsea’s box.

When substitute Loic Remy headed in a cross from about two yards in the 75th minute to reduce the tally, it proved to be no more than a consolation for Jose Mourinho’s men.

Leicester now lead the Premiership with 35 points, with Arsenal two points behind. Chelsea are marooned in 16th place, just a point above the relegation zone.

•Sourced from DailySports.com. Photo shows Chelsea players leaving the pitch in disgrace after a loss.