Chelsea's John Terry (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Leicester City in their Premier League match at the King Power Stadium in Leicester Wednesday. — Reuters LEICESTER — Chelsea staged a second-half comeback to beat Leicester 3-1 Wednesday and move to within three points of capturing the Premier League trophy.
Jose Mourinho's side holds a 13-point lead and can clinch a first league title in five years by beating Crystal Palace at home Sunday.
Marc Albrighton's goal in first-half injury time raised relegation-threatened Leicester's hopes of a fifth straight win, and it sparked Chelsea into life.
Veteran striker Didier Drogba equalized in the 48th minute for his first goal in 20 games, captain John Terry prodded in from close range in the 79th and Ramires slammed in the third four minutes later.
“Almost there,” said Terry. “We've been the best side all season ... the players and manager deserve a lot of respect, we've been great all year.” Chelsea is unbeaten since Jan. 1 and has only lost twice in the league all season.
“I think it is phenomenal what they are doing,” said Mourinho, who has batted away suggestions in recent days that his team is boring. “Top of the league since Day 1 — it's not easy.”
Chelsea has four games left to secure a second trophy of the season, having already won the League Cup. But Terry said the team was keen to do it in front of its own fans Sunday.
“It will be nice to do it then,” he said. Leicester remained one point clear of the relegation zone after a remarkable recovery from being in last place at the start of the month.
In the first half, Leicester's movement and quick passing troubled Chelsea, with speedy forward Jamie Vardy running clear and crossing for Albrighton to sidefoot home in the third minute of injury time.
But Chelsea dominated the second half, with Leicester unable to swing the momentum back its way having made two early substitutions because of injuries to Andy King and Robert Huth.
Drogba steered in a cut-back from Branislav Ivanovic, and Chelsea created numerous openings before Gary Cahill glanced on a corner and fellow center back Terry pounced after the ball was parried by Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Ramires clinched victory by meeting a pass from Cesc Fabregas with a fierce, rising left-foot shot from just inside the area.
Oscar was an unused substitute for Chelsea, three days after going to hospital after a knock to the face in the 0-0 draw against Arsenal. — AP
