3 takeaways from Leicester's top-spot return at struggling Chelsea's expense

Sumptuous finishes from Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez helped leapfrog Leicester to the top of the Premier League table via a 2-1 win, compounding more misery on reigning champion Chelsea, who now sits just one point above the relegation zone.

It is a scenario that was inconceivable a month or so ago. Leicester, who narrowly avoided relegation last season and was widely predicted to drop in 2015-16, and Chelsea, overwhelmingly the best team in England in the previous campaign and tipped by many to successfully defend its Premier League crown, have ultimately swapped roles.

It is the prominent story in what has been a topsy-turvy term, but the tale must now be told with a straight face: the Foxes mean business, and Jose Mourinho is in danger of not being able to reverse the fortunes of his morale-sapped side.

Here are the three biggest takeaways from a gripping tie at the raucous King Power Stadium:

Ranieri must keep squad together

Everybody wants a piece of Vardy.

If you believe some reports, Hollywood heartthrobs are being touted to play the role of the slight Sheffielder on the big screen - but Vardy's star is no brighter than on the football pitch, as shown by his composed, volleyed finish on 34 minutes.

Manchester United would be foolish to not attempt to add Vardy's work rate to its shot-shy strikeforce in January, as would Monday's opponent Chelsea, but Claudio Ranieri will be desperate to see no departures from his squad during the transfer window.

That also includes Mahrez, who is four years younger than Vardy and has proven the most enterprising winger in the top-tier so far. Not bad for a lad who cost just £400,000 and should demand a fee at least 50 times that amount in the market. His strike was beautiful and showed his supreme confidence as he toyed with Cesar Azpilicueta before swerving the ball in beyond Thibaut Courtois.

Does this crisis go beyond Mourinho's skill set?

Mourinho has tended to land jobs at clubs with extensive resources, where he can be afforded plenty of freedom in the transfer market to form a world-class squad.

His expensively assembled ranks stormed to the title last season, looking far stronger than any of the teams who were supposed to challenge them at the top. Suddenly, the backbone has gone, and Mourinho has been handed the heady task of motivating a bunch of leaden-footed millionaires.

He's never faced this problem.

Skipper John Terry's harsh words about Robbie Savage's right to comment on his performances in November may have raised a chuckle in the press room, but it spoke volumes both of the Englishman's ego - a League Cup title and lengthy top-tier career apparently equates to very little - and also his struggles in accepting criticism.

If this is the captain's attitude, it reverberates around the dressing room. The squad needs to accept its inadequacies and improve quickly. Mourinho needs to share some home truths fast, or there will be no remedy to this incredible slump.

Wholesale changes to the lineup have to be made. Loic Remy, an underused yet talented striker, scored Chelsea's consolation in the east Midlands and is one player who should be given a run.

It's not all Mahrez and Vardy

Leicester's goal-plundering attacking duo are certainly the main protagonists in their club's rise, but the collective effort from the Foxes is phenomenal.

Danny Drinkwater has been fantastic in midfield, but his early withdrawal through injury did not halt the Foxes' assault. N'Golo Kante was industrious and embarrassed several highly decorated players from the opposition. Marc Albrighton, a winger who was perhaps unfairly phased out at Aston Villa, played with such enthusiasm and was a constant thorn in Branislav Ivanovic's side.

Chelsea looked overawed by Leicester's pressing for much of the game. The fitness and commitment from this team of misfits will be winning fans around the globe.