Match Review 2011 - 2012

After the mid week loss to MK Dons, Norwich were trying to bounce back with a good performance against one of the favourites for the Premier League title, Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is never an easy game even against the best team in Europe Chelsea are always strong. Chelseas new manger went for a very strong team playing his 2 main strikers, Drogba and £50 million Torres upfront, new signing Mata started on the bench with Anelka and Lukaku. Norwich made 2 changes from the side that deservedly got a draw against Stoke, Wes Hoolahan and Whitbread came in and both wingers Elliot and Pilkington made way,Norwich started with the untested formation 5-3-2, Chris Martin kept his place in the team with Morison staying on the bench.

Chelsea started the game on the offensive with Ruddy doing well to push wide a strike from Ramires. Holt made his intention for the afternoon clear when he barged Terry into goal keeper Hilario. On 6 minutes Chelsea got a superb opener, the ball made its way across the pitch from the left, Bosingwa was in acres of space and with the Canary defenders unwilling to close him down he had the time and space to hit an unstoppable shot into Ruddy's far right top corner. Norwich seemed to weather the early storm and started to get thereselves back in the game,on 16 minutes Norwich created their best opportunity so far,an angled ball into the box from found Holts diagonal run but his attempted flick didn't come off, he might of tried to bring it down but i think he was running too quick. Norwich were having some great passages of play and were by no means second best. On 27 minutes Wes created a great chance for Chris Martin, but hi shot was well saved by Hilario the rebound was picked up by Martin,he layed the ball off to Naughton whose shot was tipped over the bar. In the next attack Holt pulled away from Ivanovic and got on the end of Naughtons cross but the keeper did well again. Lambert was forced into making his first change of the afternoon when the injured Whitbread had to be replaced by Pilkington. Both Drogba and Johnson had free kicks easily saved as the game was end to end until half time.

Overall after a dodgy 10/15 minutes Norwich looked every much a Prem team going toe to toe with big spending Chelsea and were unlucky not to be level.

Chelsea started the second half the stronger of the 2 teams forcing some early pressure, Norwich dealt with the resulting corners well as Norwich stood firm. Torres was booked on 56 minutes for a clumsy challenge on Barnett,Lambert made his second change of the game sending on Morison to replace Wes Hoolahan, Norwich got their deserved equaliser on 63 minutes,some really poor defending which saw goalkeeper Hilario come out of his goal for no reason and collide with Ivanovich, the ball looped up in the air and Holt expertly volleyed the ball over his shoulder into the unguarded net,the travelling Norwich fans went wild. Drogba was completely knocked out by a Ruddy punch as both went up for a cross. Drogba seemed to be unconscious before he hit the floor,the paramedics were working on him for a good 8/9 minutes. Chelsea made a double substitution with Mata coming on for Malouda and Anelka coming on for the hospital bound Drogba. On 73 minutes Norwich should've taken the lead,a great ball by Holt found Morison clean through on the left,he cut in towards goal but dithered on his shot giving Terry the time to make a great recovering tackle. Mata created a chance for Torres but his header was easy for Ruddy. On 76 minutes Torres should've been sent off for his second bookable offence, the ref seemed to bottle it and I'm in no doubt that if it had been a Norwich player he'd have gone. 3 minutes later came the turning point of the game, Chelsea broke well when the full of running Ramires latched on to a through ball,his touch was heavy into the area but just managed to touch the ball before going over the oncoming Ruddy. The ref pointed to the spot and sent Ruddy off. My thoughts are that Ramires played for the pen,but i think the ref called it right,but to send Ruddy off with Pilkington making his way to the line and Ramires going wide was a very harsh decision. C Martin was replaced by Rudd and Lampard smashed the pen down the middle of the goal. On 89 minutes Chelsea should have taken a 3-1 lead but some how Ivanovich headed wide of the goal from 5 yards out. There was 11 minutes of stoppage time,with the 10 men of Norwich still performing superbly under the circumstances. Nata had a shot that went well over,the nail in the coffin came in the 100th minute of the game,a poor pass from the until  excellent De Laet went straight to Mata who calmly shot under Rudd.

Overall a brilliant performance for the Norwich boys,they gave as good as they got against a top 4 Premier League team,lets not forget that Torres cost as much as our whole squad put together. I think today proved to everyone that Norwich as a club deserve to be in the top flight.

Chelsea: Hilario; Bosingwa, Terry, Ivanovic, Cole; Ramires, Mikel, Lampard, Malouda (Mata, 68); Torres (Lukaku, 83), Drogba (Anelka, 71). Subs (not used): Turnbull, Ferreira, McEachran, Alex.

Norwich City: Ruddy; Naughton, De Laet, Barnett, Whitbread (Pilkington, 30), Tierney; Crofts, Bradley Johnson; Hoolahan (Morison, 60); Holt, Chris Martin (Rudd, 81). Subs (not used): Russell Martin, Fox, Bennett, Jackson.

Score  3-1

• Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire)

• Attendance: 41,765

• Goals: Chelsea: Bosingwa (6), Lampard pen (82), Mata (90). City: Holt (63).

• Bookings: Chelsea: Bosingwa (36), Torres (56). City: Crofts (41), Naughton (58).

Barnett and De Laet kept Drogba and Torres quiet all afternoon.

Tierney dealt with the on rushing Bosingwa and attacked well when he could.

Crofts got through a tremendous amount of work in the midfield.

We created good clear cut chances against a formidable premiership defence.

Spirit and character was there for all to see.

Great to get Holty off the mark,the goals we need to stay up are more than likely going to come from him.

Didn't take big chances when they came,in the top flight that is the major difference between grabbing a point and losing.

Second week in succession where we shouldn't have had a man sent off.

HOLT            

scored his first Premier League goal and gave England captain Terry problems all afternoon

RAMIRES     

covered every blade of grass and got Chelsea back in front with the penalty when they needed it the most