Norwich vs Chelsea – Two points dropped

Chelsea squandered their chance to close the gap on the top three when they drew 0-0 at Carrow road.

Norwich kept their first clean sheet of the season while Chelsea failed to score for just the third time in the league this season.

In the first 10 minutes of there was very little action with neither side being able to take control – Chelsea’s attack lacked creativity in the final third and fortunately Norwich’s counter attacks were easily dealt with by Chelsea.

Chelsea’s first chance came as a result of Torres’ shot from the outside of his foot in the 27th minute which was saved well by City’s goalkeeper Ruddy.

In the 34th minute, Lampard was forced off the field after sustaining a calf injury only to be replaced by Florent Malouda three minutes later. Chelsea’s playing style didn’t change as they maintained their 4-3-2-1 formation with Malouda and Mata switching positions occasionally.

Norwich created their best first-half chance in the 36th minute when Surman’s pass found Johnson who’s resulting shot was saved by Cech.

Chelsea’s best attack came in the 40th minute as Malouda cut inside brilliantly from the left and his resulting pass found Mata whose shot was saved well by Ruddy.

Neither manager made changes after a goalless, yet interesting first half as Chelsea failed to score any goals after creating afew decent chances. Immediately after the second half got underway, Bosingwa’s lethargy almost cost Chelsea a goal.

Chelsea continued piling misery on themselves with sloppy passes inside their own half – Luckily for them, Norwich didn’t capitalize on any.

Chelsea wastedtheir best chance in the game at the hour mark when Bosingwa’s low cross foundTorres in a dangerous position who shot the ball wide of the post. Torres, who had a bright game, should have converted the golden opportunity awarded to him.

A minute later, Ruddy made a brilliant save when Sturridge found Mata who shot at the nearpost.

Chelsea kept piling on pressure but none yielded any results. Two changes from Andre Villas-Boas saw Torres and Meireles make way for young Lukaku and Michael Essien.

Lukaku’s powerful Drogba esque run into the Norwich penalty area in the 80th minute was fruitless as the Norwich defenders cleared the ball well at the crucial moment.

With time running out, Chelsea missed their last real chance of the game as Mata spun inside the box and his resulting low shot ledto a good save from Ruddy whose deflection hit the post and went out.

The final whistle blew, and the Norwich supporters with their anti-Terry chants (which was of course was countered with ‘One England Captain’ by the travelling Chelsea supporters) celebrated as though they had won the match.

A point earned for the Canaries and two points dropped by Chelsea.

By Abhishek Easwaran