Antonio Rudiger made light of Chelsea\u2019s failed striker search after his brace earned a 2-2 draw at Leicester.<\/p>\n
The defender\u2019s goals \u2013 his first for the Blues since October 2018 \u2013 ensured Frank Lampard\u2019s fourth-placed side stayed eight points behind the Foxes.<\/p>\n
Chelsea, who had their transfer ban lifted last month, failed to make a signing in January while forward Tammy Abraham played through the pain of an ankle injury at the King Power Stadium.<\/p>\n
Ben Chilwell\u2019s second-half strike had looked to have eased the Foxes\u2019 pain after a last-gasp exit to Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
He put the hosts 2-1 ahead after in-form Harvey Barnes had cancelled out Rudiger\u2019s opener.<\/p>\n
The hosts missed the chance to move 11 points clear of Chelsea but remain third, and are well on course to reach the Champions League.<\/p>\n
They had to cling on in the first half, though, as the visitors dominated without reward.<\/p>\n
Callum Hudson-Odoi missed his kick, Abraham just failed to get a touch on Reece James\u2019 teasing cross and Mason Mount shot narrowly over.<\/p>\n
Abraham wanted a penalty after 20 minutes when he went down trying to turn Caglar Soyuncu but, after a VAR check, his claims were ignored.<\/p>\n
Sluggish Leicester were second best and lived dangerously but Willy Caballero needed to be alert to deny Jamie Vardy after 25 minutes.<\/p>\n
Cesar Azpilicueta\u2019s ball was intercepted by Ayoze Perez who chested it down to Vardy only for Caballero to thwart the striker with his legs.<\/p>\n
The chance woke the Foxes from their slumber and, while Chelsea still looked slicker, Barnes ballooned over from 15 yards.<\/p>\n
Chilwell\u2019s drive gave Caballero brief concern before the Blues settled again, although Hamza Choudhury headed wide in injury time.<\/p>\n
Chelsea got the opener their first-half efforts deserved just 57 seconds after the break.<\/p>\n
It was too easy for the visitors as Mount\u2019s far-post corner was headed in by Rudiger \u2013 on his 100th Chelsea appearance.<\/p>\n
Yet their lead lasted just eight minutes, with Barnes grabbing a fourth goal in six outings when he cut inside and his shot arched over Caballero after clipping James.<\/p>\n
And 10 minutes later the Foxes completed the turnaround.<\/p>\n
Caballero started his first league game of the season after the error-prone Kepa Arrizabalaga had exhausted Lampard\u2019s patience.<\/p>\n
However, he went walkabout searching for Chilwell\u2019s cross and struggled to get back into position when Youri Tielemans returned the ball for the England left-back to sweep in at the far post.<\/p>\n
Tielemans\u2019 drive was then turned away by Caballero before another twist 19 minutes from time.<\/p>\n
Ricardo Pereira fouled Mount and the midfielder delivered a perfect free-kick for Rudiger to plant a brilliant header into the top corner from 10 yards.<\/p>\n
Leicester should have won it, though. Jonny Evans headed well wide before Barnes missed a golden chance with 11 minutes left.<\/p>\n
Vardy\u2019s cross found the winger unmarked with just Caballero to beat but he could only roll the ball inches wide of the post.<\/p>\n