Matchday #13
Chelsea vs Norwich
The Blues came into this game against Norwich without a win in three games knowing another defeat was unimaginable. After the much improved performance in the last Premier League outing against Stoke City, Chelsea were looking for much of the same but with a different result. Norwich, struggling in the league themselves with 4 defeats in their last 5 league games would have felt confident that they could provide an upset at Stamford Bridge, but Mourinho’s men could not allow that. A Diego Costa goal in the second half was enough to see the Blues put the desperate Canaries back in their cage and send them back to East Anglia with nothing of merit.
The game started brightly for Chelsea with the starting lineup providing a real surprise at left back. Instead of relying on the ever dependable Cesar Azpilicueta, Mourinho entrusted young Brazilian Kenedy in this unsuited position. If that raised eyebrows, what may have sunk hearts for some Chelsea fans was the reappearance of the imposter who has posed as Branislav Ivanovic for the beginning of this season. Fully fit and back in the lineup, the Serb needed a sound game to restore belief amongst fans that he can return to the player who dominated the right flank last season. However It was on the left flank where a Chelsea player, Kenedy was showing his best after being given his first full Premier League debut. Confident on the ball, always probing forward and linking play, the young man was the brightest player of a half that saw Chelsea and Norwich trade blows in search of a relieving win. Chelsea frontmen Pedro, Hazard and Willian were dangerous in attack suggestive of the threat that they seem on paper. Half chances were created for both teams as Chelsea had crosses miss targets and Norwich had shots blocked. A key decision by referee Craig Pawson kept the scoreline safe from a Norwich breakthrough when he denied the Canaries a penalty. As Robert Brady ran into the Chelsea box, Chelsea wideman Willian chased after him and bundled into the midfielder’s back sending him to the floor. It could have easily been given, but was denied and the whole of Stamford Bridge breathed a sigh of relief knowing full well how fortunate they were.
At the other end Diego Costa had the best chance of the half for the Blues. A counter-attack gave Costa a one-on-one opportunity in the box against Norwich keeper John Ruddy which he looked certain to score. However as his shot was brilliantly saved by the feet of the Norwich stopper, whilst Costa was probably cursing his poor luck and form. The Spanish striker has struggled in front of goal as of late (going 6 games without scoring) and his decision-making has taken a knock. Where he should be running at the six-yard line, he pulls back to the edge of the area and where he should take a quick-fired shot, he hesitates, takes too many touches and wastes opportunities.
Though what English football has learnt of Diego Costa in the past year is that he is a fighter whose fire does not go out. His persistence paid off in the 64th minute, when an alert Fabregas lobbed a quick freekick over the Norwich back line into the path of Costa’s run. A neatly curled ball into the opposing corner of Ruddy’s net saw Costa score a much-needed Chelsea goal and bring his goal-scoring drought to an end. That goal brought with it promise of more as Chelsea looked hungry to cement this win. A chance for Zouma clipped the bar whilst Matic was ghosting past players in a effort to carve a chance for himself only to then be denied by Ruddy. Norwich’s best chance at an equaliser came shortly after the opener. A long shot from Brady was saved by Chelsea keeper Asmir Begovic who dived to his right in order to protect his clean sheet.
The game came to a close with Mourinho bringing on defensive options in Oscar, Azpilicueta and Ramires for front players, Willian, Pedro and Hazard. The Chelsea manager professed his team’s limitations, declaring the regaining of the Premier title as mission impossible. Instead, he preferred to remain realistic, stating his fourth place ambitions. It was a necessary dose of honesty. This is not the time to fill the team and fans with motivational speeches, false belief and empty promises. What is required in this time aren’t words at all but actions. Mourinho’s team needs points, and he needs to keep out of trouble with the FA, both require actions of control and professionalism; and on Saturday afternoon, the Portuguese manager and his team displayed just that. Focused solely on his team, with his team focused on a win; Chelsea took all three points to begin the climb slowly up the Premier League table in search of the desirable fourth position. With this professional job done, it is on to the next and three more necessary points. Come on you Blues!
The Blue Daze 