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No Costa, no problem as Chelsea downs sorry Leicester

John Sibley / Reuters

Leicester - Chelsea made light of Diego Costa's controversial absence as the Premier League leader cruised to a 3-0 win at reigning champion Leicester City on Saturday.

Wing-back Marcos Alonso was the unlikely goal hero with a brace - just his second and third goals for the club - on either side of half-time before fellow Spaniard Pedro completed the scoring.

That gave Antonio Conte's men a comfortable win despite the absence of leading scorer Costa amid widespread reports of a training-ground row with fitness coach Julio Tous.

The Brazil-born Spain striker is also thought to be the subject of interest from China, although Conte claimed before kick-off that his omission from the squad was down to a back injury.

Victory was Chelsea's 14th in 15 Premier League games and was the perfect response to its 2-0 defeat at Tottenham, while for Leicester it was the 10th defeat of a sorry title defence.

Chelsea remains a strong favourite to replace Claudio Ranieri's side as champion after extending its lead over second-placed Tottenham to seven points.

In the opening moments Leicester gave the visitor a scare when Ahmed Musa, fresh from two FA Cup goals at Everton last week, got the better of Cesar Azpilicueta in the Chelsea penalty area.

His cross-shot was parried by Thibaut Courtois in the Chelsea goal and Jamie Vardy could not bring the rebound under control.

Chelsea was furious moments later when Robert Huth escaped any punishment beyond a free-kick for grappling with Willian, who appeared to be caught in the face by the German's hand.

But the visitor was celebrating moments later when Alonso put it ahead.

Azpilicueta's cross was miscontrolled by a sliding Pedro, but Eden Hazard helped the ricochet on to Alonso, who beat goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel with a composed finish.

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