Chelsea have won for the first time four games and it took a 64th minute goal by Diego Costa to snatch the vital victory.
Jose Mourinho made a surprise change in the team to face Norwich, and it proved to be a master stroke. Kenedy came in for the unfailing Azpilicueta.
For obvious reasons, Chelsea had to win but the performance is what will please their fans. Here are five things we learned from the 1-0 victory over Norwich on Saturday.
1. Chelsea display was very encouraging
Jose Mourinho returned to the dug out after he was given a one match stadium ban in his side’s 1-0 defeat to Stoke City. Chelsea have been faltering in the early stages of the season, however their performances in recent games has improved steadily.
The players in blue were stringing tidy, short passes between themselves making advancements into dangerous areas on the pitch. Few goals were registered in the game but it’s largely to do with the profligacy of their main goals coring outlet, Diego Costa.
2. Pedro gone AWOL
The summer arrival from Barcelona has been far from his best following his majestic performance against West Brom early in his days as a Chelsea player.
Against Norwich, he was missing for most part of the first half as he was deployed on the left flank. His movement and touches have been poor compared to his first outing for Chelsea against the Baggies. It was in the second half that the Spaniard came to life, albeit shortly before he was replaced by Oscar.
3. Jose has found a new left back
If Baba Rahman watched the game against Norwich, he would be asking his agent to start he search for a new club whether permanently or on loan.
Kenedy was deployed in the left full back position and he produced an amazing performance that shocked the shocked the Stamford Bridge faithful. He was a marauding full back and gave Chelsea an outlet on the left to launch attach after attack. Even Azpilicueta would be proud of that performance.
4. Fabregas may be clawing his way back to form
Last season, Cesc Fabregas was the main source of assists for Cheslea as they thrashed teams on route to winning the title. This season has been a different script as his passes have been either wayward or lacked the penetrative forfeit had last season.
However, against Norwich the crucial goal was scored when the former Barcelona midfielder quickly passed the ball to Costa after the Norwich team were caught sleeping from a set piece. Costa latched onto the well floated pass to score the winning goal.
5. Is there a plan to search for penalties?
One of the clearest things one would pick from Chelsea’s games this season is the fact they have been very quick to go to ground in the penalty area. Mostly going down easily, they have been pushed off the ball and tackled in the 18-yard box.
The usual culprit has been Costa who could have scored a handful of goals had he not gone for the fall to earn penalties. Pedro also went down too easily against Norwich when he could have hit a shot from four yards. In times like these, Chelsea should be searching goals not favours from referees.
