It wasn't an easy afternoon's work for Chelsea, but a long-range goal from Marc Cucurella ensured the Blues secured a 1-0 victory over Leicester City to move back into the Premier League top four.
The Blues controlled much of the contest and had a chance to break the deadlock midway through the first half after Jadon Sancho was fouled in the penalty area. Cole Palmer stepped up but, for the first time in a Chelsea shirt, didn't convert as Mads Hermansen produced a fine stop.
Leicester continued to frustrate the Blues in the second period but on the hour mark, Cucurella was given time and space to line up a shot from 20 yards, and the Spaniard found the far corner with expert accuracy. It proved enough to seal victory, although the Foxes certainly made it difficult for Enzo Maresca's side.
Early pressure
The Blues head coach made seven changes to his starting XI, one of which was Wesley Fofana's return from injury. The Frenchman had been sidelined since December 1 but began at right-back. Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella also came into the back four.
Enzo Fernandez replaced the ill Reece James in midfield and captained the side, and Jadon Sancho, Christopher Nkunku, and Pedro Neto were included in the Blues attack.
On a glorious spring afternoon in west London, the Blues immediately put pressure on the Foxes goal. It resulted in an early penalty appeal as Palmer went down in the penalty area under pressure from Luke Thomas, but referee Tim Robinson waved away the appeals.
Our first genuine attempt of the afternoon was produced by Palmer, who saw a 20-yard effort deflected narrowly wide. From the resultant corner, the England international received the ball short, wriggled into space, and fired toward goal. Yet his attempt was high and wide.
The Blues continued to probe Leicester's backline and, in the 19th minute, Jadon Sancho was clipped by defender Victor Kristiansen. A spot-kick was this time awarded.
Palmer stepped up but for the first time in his Chelsea career, didn't find the back of the net. That was because of Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, who flung himself left to push the ball wide of the post. It was a fine stop.
A scare
The Foxes then came inches away from an unlikely opener. There appeared little danger when a cross was fizzed into the 18-yard box, but Sanchez couldn't collect, the ball struck Tosin and looped agonizingly toward the Chelsea goal.
Fortunately, it rebounded off the crossbar and Levi Colwill displayed excellent defensive instincts to get back and leap above Jamie Vardy to clear.
Leicester grew in confidence as the half progressed and the Blues struggled to find a way through the visitors' defence. Moises Caicedo did force Hermansen into a routine stop and Fernandez drilled an attempt from 25 yards wide.
Nkunku did threaten with an attempt late in the half after Neto did well to cut the ball back, but Hermansen was able to flick the ball over the crossbar and the game was level at the interval.
Pushing hard
Maresca opted against a personnel change at the interval, but the Blues started the second period with renewed vigour. Cucurella saw an attempt blocked after a neat lay-off from Neto and Tosin was denied by Hermansen from a corner.
Sanchez was worked at his near-post by Vardy before Chelsea were back on the attack and Neto drilled an effort from distance that was deflected wide.
Yet just as Leicester appeared to have come through the pressure, Cucurella broke the deadlock. The move began on the right with Neto, who shifted possession inside to Fernandez. The Argentine fed Cucurella, who drove an effort toward goal that skimmed off the surface and beyond Hermansen.
With our lead established, the Blues took greater control of the contest. And with 20 minutes remaining, Maresca opted to make two alterations: Fofana was replaced by Trevoh Chalobah and Palmer was brought off for Tyrique George.
Another penalty claim came and went for the Blues after a Fernandez shot struck the arm of Conor Coady; VAR did review the incident but deemed the on-pitch decision of referee Robinson the correct one.
Leicester head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy made a triple substitution with seven minutes to play to try to force an equaliser. One of those introduced, Ricardo Pereira, did force a save from Sanchez with a shot from distance but it was easy work for the goalkeeper.
Josh Acheampong was introduced for Nkunku and the fourth official then showed six minutes of additional time would be played. Barring a couple of nervy moments, the Blues defended well and the final action of the game almost resulted in our second.
George battled excellently to clear the ball into the Foxes' half and then outmuscle Thomas to secure possession. He then slipped a pass forward for Fernandez, whose low drive was well-saved by Hermansen.
The final whistle was blown moments later. Our fourth consecutive home was secured.
What it means
Victory moves the Blues back into the Premier League top four with ten games remaining. Manchester City are two points behind (47) in fifth.
What comes next
In the week of our 120th birthday celebrations, the Blues return to action on Thursday evening as we take on Copenhagen in the second leg of our Conference League last-16 tie. Kick-off at Stamford Bridge is at 8pm.,
The teams
Chelsea: Sanchez; Fofana (Chalobah 73), Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Sancho, Palmer (George 73), Nkunku (Acheampong 89); Neto
Chelsea substitutes: Jorgensen, Antwi, Badiashile, Amougou, Lavia, Dewsbury-Hall
Goals: Cucurella 60
Bookings: Acheampong 90+5
Leicester City: Hermansen; Justin (Pereira 83), Faes, Coady, Thomas, Kristiansen (De Cordova-Reid 83); Ndidi, Soumare (Winks 65); El Khannouss (Buonanotte 73), Vardy, Daka (Mavididi 83)
Leicester City substitutes: Stolarczyk, Coulibaly, Okoli, Ayew
Referee: Tim Robinson
Attendance: 39,750