Norwich City vs Chelsea Fc Report

 

England - Premier League

 

Norwich City

1 vs 3

Chelsea Fc

Played
October 6, 2013 1:30 PM WAT
Carrow Road — Norwich, Norfolk
Referee:‬ N. Swarbrick‎
Attendance:‬ 26840‎

 

68′ Anthony Pilkington

Oscar 4′

 

Eden Hazard 85′

 

Willian 86′

Top of the Match

Oscar
Chelsea Fc

Oscar
Chelsea Fc

Flop of the Match

Alexander Tettey
Norwich City

John Ruddy
Norwich City

Goal.com Rating Fans' Rating

Norwich 1-3 Chelsea: Willian screamer seals victory

Late goals from Eden Hazard and the Brazilian secured three points for Jose Mourinho's side after Anthony Pilkington had cancelled out Oscar's early opener

Getty

Late strikes from Eden Hazard and Willian fired Chelsea to a 3-1 victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road on Sunday.

Jose Mourinho's side, who have now secured their first away win in the Premier League this season, looked to be heading for a draw after Anthony Pilkington had cancelled out Oscar's fourth-minute opener.

But Hazard's goal, which was aided by poor handling from John Ruddy in the 85th minute, was added to 60 seconds later by Willian, whose first-time curled effort from the edge of the area wrapped up the three points for Chelsea.

VIEW FROM CARROW ROAD

By Theo Squires The quality between the two sides showed at Carrow Road after Norwich had done so well to deservedly draw level. While Chris Hughton brought on Gary Hooper and Nathan Redmond, Jose Mourinho was able to call upon Samuel Eto’o, Willian and Eden Hazard, and it was those changes that made the difference. Oscar was magnificent throughout, while Demba Ba would have done his first-team chances no harm as he provided a solid outlet when Chelsea opted to play the ball direct. Norwich deserved a point out of the match but they paid the price for not taking their chances, which were limited. John Ruddy should have done better with Eden Hazard's effort, while Willian's strike, his first for Chelsea, was a superb way to seal the three points and hand Jose Mourinho his first away win in the Premier League since his return to Stamford Bridge.

With Fernando Torres suspended, Demba Ba was handed only his second start of the season and the 28-year-old had an early penalty claim turned down after colliding with Sebastien Bassong inside Norwich's area.

Ba continued to threaten the hosts' defence and he was able to assist his side's opening goal as he controlled a long ball before laying off to Oscar, who drilled his effort low past Ruddy.

Ba almost instantly doubled that lead, forcing an excellent save from Ruddy with a side-footed shot from a tight angle. Norwich carved out a presentable chance of their own in reply, with Petr Cech keeping out Jonny Howson's attempt from close range.

Norwich also had promising chance before the end of the first half, but Howson could not engineer a shooting opportunity after Ricky van Wolfswinkel headed the ball on into a dangerous area.

Chelsea had been largely comfortable since taking their early lead, but they were given a scare just a few moments after the restart following an incident that set the tone for the second period.

Ramires' challenge on the breaking Pilkington had the home fans appealing for a penalty but, yet again, referee Neil Swarbrick waved away the protests.

Van Wolfswinkel then went close to getting himself on the scoresheet but he could only chest a bouncing ball wide with Cech out of position. However, Norwich did get the goal their endeavour deserved after 68 minutes.

Martin Olsson's cross from the left found the head of Van Wolfswinkel, and Pilkington succeeded where his Dutch team-mate had previously failed by getting ahead of David Luiz and guiding the ball into the back of the net.

Both managers made attacking substitutions in a bid to claim the win late on, but it was two of Chelsea's new additions who provided the decisive contribution.

When Alexander Tettey's failed attempted clearance from Oscar's pass fell into Hazard's path, the Belgian still had plenty to do - and his shot looked destined for the safety of Ruddy's arms. However, the Norwich goalkeeper allowed the ball to squirm under his body and trickle into the net.

Willian then scored his first Premier League goal since his move to Chelseaa minute later as his first-time effort from the edge of the area curled over Ruddy who could not get close to the strike.

The win fires Chelsea to third in the table, two points behind leaders Liverpool, while Norwich remain on seven points, two above the relegation zone. ------------------- goal.com