Cole Palmer didn't train before Chelsea's win over Leicester due to 'fever and diarrhoea' as Enzo Maresca defends struggling forward after penalty miss

The England attacker missed a penalty and once again failed to impress up top for Chelsea in their 1-0 win on Sunday, extending his goalless run to eight Premier League games. But it's a miracle he was on the pitch at all, with Chelsea boss Maresca revealing post-match that Palmer was not able to train the day before after suffering from a fever and diarrhoea. Palmer insisted on being involved even after struggling with this illness.

Asked why his forward wasn't at his best against relegation-threatened Leicester, Maresca responded: "It's very easy: Cole didn't train yesterday and during the night he didn't feel well. The reason why he didn't train yesterday is fever and diarrhoea in the last 48 hours. This morning, he woke up and he asked me, 'I want to be on the pitch because I want to help this team, this club to play Champions League'. This shows how these players want to bring the club where it belongs to."

Palmer's lack of potency up top — with his last Premier League goal coming against Bournemouth on 14 January — proves "he is human", according to Chelsea's head coach. And the Blues have managed to secure some crucial results even without their star player in his usual scintillating form; their narrow win against Leicester took them to fourth place in the Premier League table, two points ahead of Manchester City, and in line for Champions League qualification.

Chelsea's next Premier League fixture is a tough game against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge next Sunday. The Gunners' title hopes are looking slim after a disappointing result against Manchester United, but Arteta's side will still provide a stern test for Palmer and Co nonetheless, and their stellar defensive record means the England forward could be looking at another barren outing.