Chelsea 3-0 Leicester City: Premier League - As it happened

Full-time: Chelsea 3-0 Leicester City

All over at the Bridge and what an enjoyable afternoon for the hosts. Chelsea were as impressive as Leicester were poor.

If you wish to follow Arsenal vs Swansea, you can do so here. Or if you're a Spurs fan, you can follow that game, here.

Until next time!

It's a party atmosphere inside the Bridge, with Chelsea fans relishing the chance to see some of their much-hyped youngsters in action.

We're going to play three minutes of added time.

There's been a gulf in class today. May must feel a hell of a long time ago for Leicester City fans at the moment.

They have Spurs next in the Premier League, too.

That goal has prompted more changes from Antonio Conte. Loftus-Cheek comes on for Hazard and Aina for Moses.

GOAL: Chelsea 3-0 Leicester City (Moses)

That's 3-0 and it's a wow moment from Nathaniel Chalobah, who puts the goal on a plate for Victor Moses!

The forward has his third goal of the season after playing a one-two with Chalobah, who produces a no-look flick to put Moses through on goal and power the ball home.

The scoreline is no less than the Blues deserve.

Matic is the latest player to go close for the hosts, as he weaves his way through the defence before his deflected effort is well saved by Kasper Schmeichel.

Leicester's hopes of a comeback appear to be fading.

Ah, Kante comes desperately close to scoring against his former club! Costa crosses from the right side and the ball eventually makes its way back to Kante ... but his right-footed effort is expertly blocked by Wes Morgan.

Meanwhile, Andy King has come on for Albrighton.

It appears that Leicester have gone to a 4-4-2 for the time being. Some 20 minutes left at the Bridge - and I fancy there will be another goal.

It's subs galore: Pedro is replaced by Nathaniel Chalobah, who gets a very good reception.

For the Foxes, meanwhile, Slimani and Mahrez are on for Schlupp and Musa. Leicester are going for it still.

David Luiz has struck the frame of the goal for the second time today. This time it's against his own goal.

The Brazilian gets a toe-end to a right-wing cross, but is lucky to see the ball rebound off the upright.

Having said that, it might be time to sub Diego Costa, who stands on the cusp of a one-match ban. No immediate sign of a substitution, though.

End-to-end stuff at the Bridge now. This has become a really engrossing game - and one that surely has more goals in it.

Chelsea do not look like they want to squeeze the life out of the game, as they might have done under Jose Mourinho, say. Instead, they are seeking more goals.

Kante leads a brilliant break from a Leicester corner. The French midfielder dribbles up the flank and then hits a pinpoint left-footed path into Victor Moses, but his low drive is well stopped by the keeper.

That would've been a great breakaway goal, though.

To their credit, Leicester appear to be sharper and more aggressive in the early minutes of the half. Where was that approach in the first period?

Musa wriggles away from a Chelsea defender in the box, but his cross is weak and easily stopped by Courtois. Leicester are more competitive early in the second period, though. It's much, much better from them.

Schlupp tries to get past Moses in the Chelsea box, but again the ref is not interested in the appeal.

On a tactical note, the Foxes are definitely trying to mirror what Chelsea did in the first half by going to a three at the back. Meanwhile, Azpilicueta has become the first Chelsea player cautioned today for a foul on Musa.

By the way, both of Chelsea's goalscorers paid tribute to Willian - whose mother recently passed away - after they found the net. The Brazilian wears number 22 at Stamford Bridge, hence the hand signals.

The hosts have an early penalty appeal waved away. The ball struck Fuchs on the arm, I think, but he didn't appear to know anything about it.

Leicester have reverted to a back-three at the start of the half. Matching Chelsea like-for-like, therefore.

Back under way at the Bridge, then. More of the same or a Leicester comeback? We're about to find out...

Half-time: Chelsea 2-0 Leicester City

The hosts lead 2-0 and it could have been more. It has been one-way traffic from start to finish in the opening period. What can Leicester do to turn the situation around?

One minute of time to be added at the Bridge, where Chelsea continue to dominate.

Chelsea are already bringing out the flicks and tricks, such is their dominance. They're playing with a real swagger - which is a sharp contrast to their feeble displays against Liverpool and Chelsea before the international break.

At the other end, Vardy and Musa are cutting frustrated figures. Claudio Ranieri might look to change things at the break, because they've barely had a kick of the ball.

This is, perhaps, Chelsea's most impressive performance so far this season.

Their latest goal-bound effort is another thunderbolt from David Luiz, whose dipping, swerving long-range free-kick is well saved by Kasper Schmeichel.

A rare attack for Leicester up the right flank ends with Jamie Vardy hitting a shot across the face of the Chelsea goal. That's a bit better - but the Foxes are being hammered at the Bridge.

GOAL: Chelsea 2-0 Leicester City (Hazard)

Eden Hazard doubles Chelsea's lead at the Bridge! The brilliant Belgian rounds the keeper to slot the ball home after some shambolic defending from Leicester.

A through-ball should have been cut out - but it eventually, somehow, made it's way through to Hazard and he finished expertly.

This looks like being another long afternoon for the champions now.

If that Luiz free-kick had have found the net, it would have been a goal of the month contender - no doubt. Luiz got it to dip alarmingly after it went over the bar - and Kasper Schmeichel beaten at his post.

Huth catches Hazard with a late tackle and the former Chelsea man goes into the ref's notebook. He'll need to watch his step now.

The resultant free-kick, from all of 30 yards, is hit Ronaldo-style by David Luiz - and it smashes off the frame of the goal! What an effort that was. Sensational stuff from the larger-than-life Brazilian.

Leicester really are struggling to get a foothold in the game. Claudio Ranieri needs to find a way to get the likes of Vardy and Musa more involved in the game, because they're virtual spectators at the moment.

Antonio Conte, on the other hand, will be thrilled with what he has seen so far this afternoon.

Chelsea's formation and the angles it is helping to create means the hosts always seem to have good passing options. This has been a really positive, eye-catching start from Chelsea, with Kante, Costa and Moses to the fore.

Victor Moses, playing as a wingback, is proving to be a very useful outlet for the hosts. Their latest attack sees him dance past a couple of defenders before a cross just evades Eden Hazard at the back post.

An over-hit cross from Albrighton is about the best effort Leicester have managed so far today, which underlines Chelsea's dominance.

At the other end of the field, Chelsea are popping the ball around with a real confidence and swagger. Kante has been very good so far, by the way, playing the easy ball whenever he has it.

Chelsea seem quite comfortable with three central defenders and wingbacks in their system. Kante and Matic appear to be taking it in turns to press forward, too.

It's one-way stuff at the Bridge for the moment. Chelsea are beating their opponents to every 50/50 it seems and a second goal feels like it could come any moment.

This start is a marked contrast to the one Chelsea made against Liverpool earlier this season.

GOAL: Chelsea 1-0 Leicester City (Costa)

Chelsea lead at the Bridge and it's the in-form Diego Costa with the goal!

He runs off the back of Wes Morgan at the corner and plants a left-footed effort inside the post. All too easy for the Blues. Leicester looking down the barrel already.

Victor Moses goes flying up the right side and his deflected cross almost catches the keeper napping at the near post. Corner to Chelsea.

More good play from Chelsea, but Hazard's long range effort screws wide of the goal. A lively start from the Blues, still.

Cahill finds Costa infield and his first-time pass almost puts Hazard through on goal. Not quite, though.

The pattern of the game is clear: Chelsea are dominating the ball, while the Foxes are seeking to catch the hosts on the break. No surprise there, then.

And we're under way at the Bridge! Chelsea in blue and Leicester in a distinctive-looking red number.

The players walk out of the tunnel and go through the usual pre-match handshakes. The talking is done and dusted now - and kick-off is moments away.

Before then, a little more on the team news:

The stage is set at Stamford Bridge, then, as football fans welcome the return of the Premier League after the international break. It's a sea of blue inside the ground and the atmosphere seems to be building nicely.

Interestingly, Chelsea have a handful of young players on their bench this afternoon, including Loftus-Cheek, Chalobah and Solanke, all of whom have attracted praise for their performances with the youth and reserve teams.

I wonder whether they will be able to establish themselves under Antonio Conte? It's become a big talking point at the Bridge in recent years.

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri, according to the BBC: "I thought a lot about when we played seven matches in 22 days earlier this season, my team were tired so I have to change something. It is no risk, everyone is used to playing and doing their job.

"Chelsea are a good challenge, but not because they play 3-4-3, because of their players. We have to press and counter attack fast. For this reason I choose two very fast players up front."

Right, not long until kick-off today and for Antonio Conte, it's a chance to prove some of his critics wrong. Chelsea started the season in fine style, but faltered before the international break.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, according to the BBC: "In the last game we played a good game and we found a good, compact shape with this formation. There was a good balance and for this reason we keep it.

"You must find a solution for the team. This is the best fit for this team. John Terry is OK to play but it is normal that I have to consider the best for the team every time. I decided this team."

And those riches have helped Chelsea to acquire some of the most sought-after talent in world football, including the one-of-a-kind Diego Costa. The controversial Spaniard leads the line for the Blues again this afternoon.

In some none football-specific news this week, Chelsea announced a new sponsorship deal with sportswear giant Nike which they described as "the largest commercial deal in the club's history".

Nike will become the club's official supplier as of next season, with the Daily Mail reporting the deal is worth £60m a year.

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said: "This is an incredibly exciting and important deal for the club.

"Like Chelsea, Nike is known around the world for its excellence and innovation and we look forward to working together in what is sure to be a successful partnership. We believe Nike will be able to support our growth into new markets as well as helping us maintain our place among the world's elite football clubs."

Mind you, Chelsea aren't exactly short of a few quid at the moment...

By the way, the Chelsea players will be wearing black armbands today in honour of Willian's mother who sadly passed away this week. In case you missed it earlier, that's why the Brazilian is missing today's game.

As a reminder, Diego Costa stands on the cusp of earning a one-match ban if he is yellow carded this afternoon.

The Spanish striker has picked up four yellow cards in Chelsea's first six league games of the 2016-17 season, and while the Spain international came through unscathed in the victory over Hull City, it leaves him walking a tight rope against Leicester.

Ahead of the match, Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has pleaded with Costa to avoid being booked against Leicester, as that will rule him out of next week's clash with Manchester United.

"We know the situation," Conte told a press conference on Friday. "Diego knows the situation. It was the same before the Hull game. We must think to the present, and not look forward.

"Tomorrow he must fight in the same way he did in the previous games. I hope he pays attention and doesn't get another yellow."

So, John Terry has to settle for a place on the bench for the hosts, while Victor Moses gets another chance to impress the Stamford Bridge crowd.

Pedro, Diego Costa and Eden Hazard will be the men who are principally responsible for creating chances.

For the champions, Musa and Jamie Vardy will be looking to catch Chelsea on the break.

Breaking team news:

Here we go, then. The team news is in and it is as follows...

Chelsea: Courtois, Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill, Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso, Pedro, Costa, Hazard

Subs: Begovic, Aina, Terry, Chalobah, Loftus-Cheek, Batshuayi, Solanke

Leicester City: Schmeichel, Hernández, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs, Albrighton, Drinkwater, Amartey, Schlupp, Musa, Vardy

Subs: Zieler, King, Simpson, Slimani, Gray, Ulloa, Mahrez

The players have arrived at the Bridge and the fans are streaming into the stadium, too. Team news will be with us in a couple of minutes.

As we patiently wait for the team news to drop, a quick line from Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard, who has revealed he would prefer to play in the No. 10 role at Stamford Bridge.

The 25-year-old Belgian has been deployed on the left-hand side of Chelsea's attack since the arrival of new boss Antonio Conte – but Hazard admitted it is not where he really wants to play.

"I like to play as a No. 10," the Chelsea midfielder explained, according to ESPN. "I think I have more freedom offensively. For Belgium, we have full-backs who run hard and create a lot of space, which is good and I like to play there.

"I don't know if I will play there at Chelsea. You need to ask the manager! I play on the left hand side and I try to do the best I can."

In his pre-match press conference, Antonio Conte confirmed Chelsea captain John Terry will be available for the game at Stamford Bridge after recovering from an ankle injury.

However, the Blues boss refused to confirm whether Terry would be returned to the starting line up. "I prefer not to give away the line-up. I'll try to take the best decision for the team," the Chelsea boss explained.

Away from the focus on Conte, it's also potentially a very big day for a former title-winning Fox.

Prior to the game, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte laughed off rumours suggesting he is about to be sacked.

A flurry of bets was recently placed on the 47-year-old Italian losing his job at Stamford Bridge – but the Italian insisted on Friday (14 October) he was baffled by the speculation.

"I'm trying to find who put the money on!" Conte quipped during his pre-match press conference, according to the BBC.

"It's very difficult to talk about this situation because I am focused on my work to improve the team. I have a good relationship with the team so I take this with a smile."

Pre-match thoughts

Claudio Ranieri: "We played seven matches in 22 days. I have to rotate a little more my players."

The ex-Blues boss added: "The last match at Chelsea was special with the guard of honour, but Saturday is an important match and we must react."

Pre-match thoughts

Eden Hazard on Antonio Conte: "He is good. We started well with three wins, then we suffered two defeats after the international break and then we won again.

"He has tried to bring confidence to the players. We are fit because we ran a lot in pre-season! You need to do this to stay at the top. We want to improve with this manager."

Preview

Leicester are currently in 12th place in the Premier League, having won just two of their seven games thus far.

The Foxes have lost the last two away games, which were against Liverpool and Manchester United, and manager Claudio Ranieri will be keen to avoid a third straight away defeat.

Preview

Chelsea are going through a slump after starting the season with three consecutive wins. The Blues have won just one of their last three Premier League games, including losses to Liverpool and Arsenal.

As a result, Italian boss Antonio Conte is under pressure to get them back to winning ways sooner rather than later. He will, therefore, be glad to have John Terry back in the squad for their clash against the Foxes.

On the other hand, Willian will be absent for the game after being granted compassionate leave following his mother's death recently.

Good morning and welcome to IBTimes UK's live coverage of Chelsea's home clash against Leicester City, the current Premier League champions.

The international break has come and gone in the blink of an eyelid and domestic action is back on the horizon once again.

We'll bring you plenty of pre-match build-up and the all-important team news before the 12.30pm kick-off at Stamford Bridge.