Raheem Sterling ignited his Chelsea career with a virtuoso second-half performance that inspired the 10-man Blues to victory at home to Leicester.

Both teams came into the game on the back of disappointing defeats the previous weekend and Thomas Tuchel, who was forced to watch the game from the stands thanks to his touchline ban, responded by tweaking his formation, if not the personnel within it.

But it looked as though those well-laid plans would go up in smoke when Conor Gallagher was sent off after less than half an hour for illegally halting two Leicester counter-attacks.

However, Sterling scored both his first and second Chelsea goals to lift the mood at a nervous Stamford Bridge and, while Harvey Barnes quickly hit back for the Foxes, the home side were able to hold on and move back into the top half of the Premier League.

How Sterling helped Chelsea bounce back

Chelsea were embarrassed in their previous outing at Leeds but Tuchel resisted the temptation to overhaul his starting XI, with only the suspended Kalidou Koulibaly - who was sent off at Elland Road - left out, and Trevoh Chalobah starting.

But the Blues head coach decided to move away from his tried and tested 3-4-3 formation in favour of a 4-2-2-2 that saw Gallagher employed as one of the sitting midfielders.

However, the England international never looked comfortable with his extra defensive responsibilities and picked up two quick yellow cards, leaving Leicester rubbing their hands at the prospect of playing with an extra man for over an hour as they searched for a first Premier League win of the season.

But Sterling had other ideas and came roaring out of the blocks for the second half. The former Manchester City forward opened his Chelsea account with a shot from the edge of the area that deflected off Daniel Amartey and looped over the luckless Danny Ward, then grabbed his second by tapping home Reece James' right-wing cross at the far post - something fans of his former club saw on numerous occasions.

Barnes hit back immediately for Leicester after playing a neat one-two with Jamie Vardy before drilling a shot past Edouard Mendy, who probably should have done better at his near post and looks like a goalkeeper out of form.

The visitors lay siege to their host's goal in the final 20 minutes but, with Vardy missing two great chances and Ayoze Perez hitting the underside of Mendy's bar, were unable to salvage a point and remain in the relegation zone.

What's next?

Chelsea travel to Southampton in the Premier League on Tuesday at St Mary's - kick-off 7.45pm - before hosting West Ham on Sunday September 4, live on Sky Sports - kick-off 2pm.

Leicester will welcome Manchester United to the King Power Stadium on Thursday - kick-off 8pm - before visiting Brighton on Sunday September 4 - kick-off 2pm.

Click Here For Official Team Sheet

Teams

Chelsea Mendy, James, Silva, Chalobah, Loftus-Cheek, Gallagher, Jorginho (c) (Kovacic 75), Cucurella (Chilwell 90+2), Mount (Azpilicueta 46), Sterling (Pulisic 75), Havertz
Subs Not Used Kepa, Ampadu, Hudson-Odoi, Ziyech, Broja
Booked Havertz
Sent Off Gallagher 28
Goals Sterling 47, 63

Leicester City Ward, Justin, Amartey, Evans (c), Castagne, Tielemans (Ndidi 89), Soumare (Iheanacho 55), Dewsbury-Hall, Praet (Perez 55), Barnes, Vardy
Subs Not Used Iversen, Albrighton, Thomas, Soyuncu, Mendy, Daka
Booked Dewsbury-Hall, Praet
Goals Barnes 66

Attendance 39,953

Referee Paul Tierney

VAR Andre Marriner