It was a must win game for Mourinho and he had picked a very attacking starting lineup with the biggest surprise being the deployment of Kenedy in the left back slot. César Azpilicueta would be surprised by his exclusion but the idea of Mourinho was right. Ivanovic, who till now had a disastrous season, was also right away restored to the starting eleven after his injury.
He knew Norwich would offer very little going forward with five midfielders and hence the defensive full backs were not needed that much in this game.
It was a treat to watch Chelsea in the final third in the initial stages of the game. Apart from Pedro, the other midfielders and Costa really showed some slick and crisp passing. Chelsea finally displayed their gorgeous game which had made them the champions last season.
Chelsea bossed possession in this game. It was no surprise, given the opponents were Norwich, but it was the way that they moved the ball around pretty much the whole game that was fascinating. However, the only thing they lacked was the finishing.
Hazard showed some of his class in the game against Stoke City. However, he was even more threatening against Norwich. There were a few times when he collected the ball from deep and ran at the Norwich defenders through the center with such good close control.
There were so many moments in the game where he drilled some dangerous crosses in the center with no one there for those easy tap-ins. This was easily one of his best games for the champions this season and the Chelsea fans would be relieved to see last season's best player back in form.
Speaking about dangerous crosses, with no one to tap in makes us question the positioning of the forward Diego Costa. Time and again, Costa lacked movement in the box and was looking for those cutbacks wherein a gamble would have a provided a tap in for him.
However, the goal was from Costa was a mix of awareness and calmness. Fabregas, who also had a great game, released it quickly to Costa. Costa who missed a great opportunity in the first half, brilliantly finished this one against the excellent Ruddy.
The fact that Norwich defended deep and showed very little threat attacking wise should not take away any credit from them. For much of the game, they were able to keep Chelsea at bay with Ruddy being their best player in the game.
Chelsea were defensively still nervous whenever Norwich came forward and the mental fragility of the Chelsea squad was visible. The effort of Bassong was brilliantly blocked by Terry in the first half and had that gone in, it might have been a different scenario altogether.
Mourinho was a relieved man at the end of the final whistle. This was only Norwich but after three consecutive premier league defeats, Chelsea badly needed this victory. A defeat in this match especially at home would have serious repercussions. Victory is king but this time it was also the manner of their game that was impressive.
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| Diego Costa helps Chelsea get back to winning ways |
It was a treat to watch Chelsea in the final third in the initial stages of the game. Apart from Pedro, the other midfielders and Costa really showed some slick and crisp passing. Chelsea finally displayed their gorgeous game which had made them the champions last season.
Chelsea bossed possession in this game. It was no surprise, given the opponents were Norwich, but it was the way that they moved the ball around pretty much the whole game that was fascinating. However, the only thing they lacked was the finishing.
Hazard showed some of his class in the game against Stoke City. However, he was even more threatening against Norwich. There were a few times when he collected the ball from deep and ran at the Norwich defenders through the center with such good close control.
There were so many moments in the game where he drilled some dangerous crosses in the center with no one there for those easy tap-ins. This was easily one of his best games for the champions this season and the Chelsea fans would be relieved to see last season's best player back in form.
Speaking about dangerous crosses, with no one to tap in makes us question the positioning of the forward Diego Costa. Time and again, Costa lacked movement in the box and was looking for those cutbacks wherein a gamble would have a provided a tap in for him.
However, the goal was from Costa was a mix of awareness and calmness. Fabregas, who also had a great game, released it quickly to Costa. Costa who missed a great opportunity in the first half, brilliantly finished this one against the excellent Ruddy.
The fact that Norwich defended deep and showed very little threat attacking wise should not take away any credit from them. For much of the game, they were able to keep Chelsea at bay with Ruddy being their best player in the game.
Chelsea were defensively still nervous whenever Norwich came forward and the mental fragility of the Chelsea squad was visible. The effort of Bassong was brilliantly blocked by Terry in the first half and had that gone in, it might have been a different scenario altogether.
Mourinho was a relieved man at the end of the final whistle. This was only Norwich but after three consecutive premier league defeats, Chelsea badly needed this victory. A defeat in this match especially at home would have serious repercussions. Victory is king but this time it was also the manner of their game that was impressive.
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