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

Full time: Leicester 0-3 Chelsea

As one-sided a league game as you might see all year. Chelsea sweep aside Leicester with a fine display, all the more impressive as it comes after a week in which Diego Costa fell out with senior members of the club's coaching staff. Marcos Alonso scored the opening, might be credited with the second, while Pedro netted a fine third. Leicester were total rubbish, to be frank about it, and need Riyad Mahrez back from the Africa Cup of Nations pronto.

Well that is all we have time for on this Premier League live text. We'll be back tomorrow with the game of the weekend; Manchester United vs Liverpool from 4pm. Until then however, have a very good evening.

Champions of England? Champions of nothing today Leicester City. They do record a shot on target however as Christian Fuchs' volley is saved by Courtois. They won't go down this season, but they'll come mighty close on this evidence.

Marcos Alonso named man-of-the-match by broadcasters BT Sport, though I'm not sure he will be awarded that second goal given it took multiple deflections on its way to goal. The dubious goals panel will be onto that.

Are we about to be given an insight into life after Diego Costa? Michy Batshuayi coming on for Chelsea.

This performance completely justifies Antonio Conte's swift and clinical decision to drop Diego Costa and instead leave the Spaniard on the sidelines as he is left to consider his actions this week. The Italian has called it perfectly and what has followed has been one of Chelsea's most polished displays of the campaign.

GOAL! Leicester 0-3 Pedro (Pedro)

Victory complete for Chelsea, and it is hard to describe how dominant they have been today. Pedro releases Willian with a delightful flick and he gets the ball back head into an empty net. Leicester blown away.

Chelsea turning on the style now and Marcos Alonso almost completes his hat-trick as Moses digs out a cross and he takes it on the volley and is flies just wide of Schmeichel's left-hand post. So close.

Gary Cahill must have seen Andy Carroll's goal from earlier and tries an audacious bicycle kick which hits Morgan and goes behind. Almost a spectacular third for the Blues.

Okazaki on for Leicester. The Foxes have offered virtually nothing going forward in this game. It has been a bit of an evening to forget for Claudio Ranieri's men.

GOAL! Leicester 0-2 Chelsea (Danny Drinkwater own goal)

The way Leicester have approached this game you fancy that might be that. Chelsea double their lead as Alonso strikes goalwards from a cleared free-kick and via deflections off Danny Drinkwater and Wes Morgan the ball goes beyond Schmeichel. Might even be an own goal.

Leicester having come from behind to win in the Premier League since October 2014. Leaders Chelsea won't make it easy as they get the second half back underway.

Half time: Leicester 0-1 Chelsea

A clash between the champions and champions-elect has failed to catch fire as yet, against the back drop of Diego Costa's absence. The Blues lead through another Spaniard, Marcos Alonso, and in truth have been relatively comfortable. Chances have otherwise been at a premium and it has not been the greatest watch.

Half a chance for Chelsea as Hazard and Luiz combine to set up Pedro but he skews his effort over the bar. Good opportunity.

A flashpoint at last. James Vardy wins the ball in the channel and his cross in the box can't find a Chelsea player but it forces Courtois to turn the ball away. David Luiz almost put the ball through his own net as he tried to cut the cross out, but withdrew just in time.

Not a particularly inspiring half of football this. Very uninspiring, you haven't already guessed. The Foxes have looked deflated throughout.

Game has slowed down a little since the opening flurry from Chelsea, who themselves have retreated into their shell a little. Not seen much of Eden Hazard as yet.

Leicester putting some tackles in at last as they look to disrupt this fast start from Chelsea. Jamie Vardy getting more into the game would be a good place to start.

Chelsea the fast-starters strike again.

Marc Albrighton with two great crosses. The first beats Vardy, who looks a bit ring rusty it must be said, before the second finds Ben Chilwell on the run but he directs his header wide.

Marcos Alonso slots home to put Chelsea ahead.

Slick opening from Chelsea here and Leicester's crowd have been subdued somewhat in the opening exchanges.

GOAL! Leicester 0-1 Chelsea (Marcos Alonso)

It takes the Blues just six minutes to answer any questions over their ability to cope without Diego Costa. Azpilicueta's cross is only half cleared by Albrighton and the loose ball runs to Alonso who with his unfavoured right-foot curls into the corner.

Leicester on it from the off and Courtois has to punch out Musa's shot from the angle. Without Mahrez, it's a bit game for the summer signing who has had a limited impact.

Minute's applause for Graham Taylor beautifully observed and we're underway at the Kind Power.

Teams out at the King Power Stadium. A depleted Leicester take on a Diego Costa-less Chelsea. Could be an interesting evening.

Is this linked to Diego Costa's future? Bamford has only made six appearances this season for Burnley.

Former Chelsea manager meets the current boss at Stamford Bridge.

Antonio Conte's third manager of the month award finally brings about a curse of sorts with the news that he has fallen out with leading scorer Diego Costa, who misses just his second game of the season. Victory this evening would certainly prove they can survive without him.

Full times across the country in the Premier League in the 3pm kick-offs. Wins for West Ham, Arsenal, Burnley, Hull and Stoke, while Watford and Middlesbrough drew at Vicarage Road. Recap on all the goals here.

Antonio Conte on Diego Costa absence: " Diego stopped in the training session. During the week he did not train with us. This is not the first time we do not play without Diego. We prepared very well."

Claudio Ranieri on Sky Sports: "We've improved, but must keep going. We play the league leaders, we want 3 points and I think it will be a good match. Chelsea are top of the league because they have a top manager and many top players. Big challenge, but we are ready."

So, as expected there is no Diego Costa for Chelsea. Eden Hazard will be deployed in a false nine role.

Leicester start new signing Wilfred Ndidi, while summer addition Ahmed Musa is also in. Jamie Vardy returns.

Teams in from the King Power Stadium.

Some interesting additional news on Diego Costa.

Team news on the way, but how do we expect both sides to line up?

Jamie Vardy returns for Leicester after suspension but Leonardo Ulloa is missing for Leicester. Riyad Mahrez, Islam Slimani and Daniel Amartey are all at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Diego Costa has been dropped after a training ground row with Antonio Conte. Nathan Ake could feature after being recalled from his season-long loan spell at Bournemouth, but John Terry is suspended.

Is Chelsea's title bid about to fall apart? Diego Costa's row with Antonio Conte has breathed new life in the Premier League title race, with the Spaniard out of today's game with a fitness concern, amid reports he is subject to a £30m offer from China. How the Blues respond amid the furor will tell us everything we need to know about their character, not least their ability to cope without their top scorer.

Leicester's need is perhaps more desperate than it was the last time these two sides met at the King Power Stadium. The Foxes are nestled just above the drop zone and badly need a win, similar to the one they claimed against Manchester City, in order to strengthen their bid to stay in the top four.

All the team news, build-up and updates ahead of the 5:30pm kick-off on the way.