The start of the second half in Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Leicester City was delayed due to two officials being forced to change their roles.

Nick Hopton and Mark Scholes began the game running the lines at the King Power Stadium, with Andy Madley the man in the middle and Leigh Doughty operating as the fourth official.

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However, there was a slight change to the refereeing line-up once the officials and teams emerged for the second half.

“Lee Doughty running the line over on the far side, the fourth official,” talkSPORT commentator Sam Matterface said.

“A change because of an injury to Mark Scholes. Getting ready to run the line in the Premier League.

“Not something he is used to doing so it will be interesting to see how he gets on.”

Unfortunately for Doughty, he got a crucial call wrong and was bailed out by VAR official Paul Tierney in second-half stoppage time.

Leicester forward Bobby De Cordova-Reid was knocked over by Chelsea’s Romeo Lavia inside the box and it looked to be a foul, only for Madley to blow his whistle to signal for offside as Doughty had raised his flag.

But replays soon showed De Cordova-Reid was comfortably onside and prompted Tierney to intervene.

After being informed De-Cordova Reid was onside, Madley pointed to the spot and Jordan Ayew stepped up to score a late consolation for the Foxes.

The first half was certainly a busy affair for the officials as Leicester looked to physically overwhelm Chelsea.

However, Foxes midfielder Wilfred Ndidi was rather fortunate to avoid being sent off for a nasty challenge on Chelsea superstar Cole Palmer.

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De Cordova-Reid was fouled by Lavia in second-half stoppage time[/caption]

Madley brandished a yellow card for Ndidi, but replays showed the Nigerian had caught Palmer on his Achilles with his studs.

VAR checked the incident but elected not to overrule Madley’s original decision of a yellow card as play continued.

It is understood Ndidi avoided further punishment as VAR deemed the challenge lacked intensity and the Leicester man came from a short distance.

However, former England international Darren Bent was left in disbelief Ndidi did not receive his marching orders.

“It’s awful,” Bent said on talkSPORT commentary.

“There’s intent there. The ball is nowhere to be seen.

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“I’m a little bit surprised they’re not going over to check it. Is it endangering an opponent? Yes.

“The fact the referee isn’t checking is a bit naughty. He’s got away with one.”

Ndidi wasn’t the only Leicester player to go into Madley’s book during the opening 45 minutes.

Boubakary Soumare and Oliver Skipp, who came on in the first half in place of the injured Harry Winks, had also received yellow cards.

Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo also picked up a yellow card in the 40th minute for dissent.

Madley didn’t pull out any cards in the second half until the 66th minute when he booked Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez for time-wasting.

Leicester manager Steve Cooper even ended up in Madley’s book two minutes after Sanchez.

Foxes defender Wout Faes was booked for a reckless challenge on Caicedo, but Lavia received the last yellow card of the day when he up-ended De Cordova-Reid in the box in second-half stoppage time.

The win for Chelsea keeps them in third on 22 points, although Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Brighton could find themselves level should they pick up wins.

As for Leicester, Steve Cooper’s side are in 16th but could drop into the relegation zone if Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace beat Manchester United and Aston Villa respectively.