With Chelsea on their way to their third Premier League in a row, the Carrow Road were quickly shutdown after a first minute goal by Kenedy to mark his first topflight goal for The Blues.
With Norwich lining up with just three defenders at the back, was no clean sheet expected for the pink-wearing John Ruddy tonight. The game though was more balanced than a few would’ve thought for the starters, as the home side’s appetite to stay in the Premier League really was showing.
It only took 50 seconds for Chelsea to break the deadlock as the Brazilian forward – who was positioned to play fullback tonight – put a brilliant hit behind Ruddy leaving the Canaries fans shocked right form the beginning.
Alex Neil would’ve been in a big need of points as the English manager’s side are spectating the title race from the 18th place after losing six of their last seven Premier League games.
Most of the attention was set on the Chelsea youngsters Kenedy and Bertrand Traoré, who both were on top of their game and showed great will to prove Hiddink and the fans their worth.
José Mourinho used to play the two young promises on reverse positions compared to Hiddink’s view with Kenedy as a winger and Traore as a left-back. Seemingly, the better setting came to Hiddink’s way (just like the results as well).
Chelsea had plenty of half-way-there chances with Fabregas and Ivanovic both coming close. Bertrand Traoré was also set on a breakaway but lost the ball on a decisive moment leaving the Burkina Faso international frustrated, but even hungrier for more.
The home fans had a huge shout for an indirect free-kick to be given inside the Chelsea box, as it seemed that Cahill’s back-pass for Courtois – which the Belgian picked up to his grasp – didn’t take a touch from Jerome’s foot as thought. The ref though saw nothing wrong with the situation and let the play go on.
Just before the half-time Chelsea get away with a decisive off-side call as Bertrand Traoré’s flick through for Diego Costa is calmly finished by the Spaniard. Very unlucky for Norwich the offside not called, but also a beautiful goal from Costa. It was his tenth goal in 14 appearances under Hiddink – impressive.
The first half was mainly Chelsea’s dominance, with a few dangerous attacks also for Courtois and the Chelsea back four to clear. Ultimately Cameron Jerome was the only threat for the away defense as he was a slight problem for Cahill and Ivanovic to handle in air.
As the teams were back on the pitch to kick off the second half, it was all about Norwich’s response. Jerome got on the end of two great crosses which the Englishman should’ve put in, with the second one especially landing for his foot 5-yards out on goal only to end up shivering the bar. Chelsea were fortunate so far but not for long as the home side broke through after 68 minutes of play.
In the fear of Norwich possibly crawling back to the game, Hiddink unleashed his most favored John Obi Mikel and in-form Willian to replace the well performed Bertrand Traoré and not-so-well impressing Oscar. With 30 minutes on the clock the home side also put in more attacking force by bringing on Mbokani to partner the struggeling Jerome up front.
Norwich though did get back in it as Redmond struck a beautiful finish past Courtois from Hoolahan’s smart through ball, reawakening the Carrow Road. Chelsea reacted by bringing on Baba Rahman leaving Alexandre Pato to wait for his debut onto next time.
In the match’s dying minutes Norwich kept coming and coming, with Chelsea in need of a good save from Courtois to secure the three points for the Blues. 5 minutes of added time following a few Norwich player’s injuries wasn’t enough for the Canaries to get a point from the match, but gave Chelsea a real challenge tonight.
Chelsea gained their third domestic win in a row to climb on the eight position in the table, with Norwich however not finding their way out of the relegation zone. The Blues still have potential to be playing Europa League next season through the league, as they’re only five points away from reaching the fifth placed United.
Goalscorers (Assists): Redmond (Hoolahan) 68′; Kenedy 1′ (Hazard), Diego Costa 45′ (Traoré)
Bookings: Howson 13′, Bennett 39′ Klose 76′; Oscar 44′, Fabregas 73′
Norwich Substitutions:
36′ O’Neill on for Tettey
60′ Mbokani on for Bennett
Chelsea substitutions:
60′ Mikel on for Oscar
60′ Willian on for Traoré
68′ Baba Rahman on for Kenedy
