Norwich City vs Chelsea review : Match analysis, stats and the highlights

Chelsea are now a completely transformed side under the new boss Guus Hiddink who is yet to lose a Premier League match since his appointment and won back to back three Premier League games for the first time this campaign when they beat Norwich City 2-1 last night at Carrow Road.

The defending champions are miraculously back in the hunt for a top four finish and earn a Champions League qualification spot whereas an Europa league spot seems already to be within reach considering their recent run of form. They are now only eight points below the fourth placed Manchester City ( with 39 points from 28 matches) although they have played 2 more games than the Citizens. Hiddink is now aiming for bigger goals:

“Now with the ambition of Chelsea we must set a new target and see what we can do in the direction of Europe.

We have now won a few games in a row. We have to keep on winning. If everyone is on board and there are no big injuries, we’d like to go as high as possible towards the European spots.”

Canaries, on the other hand, are struggling with back to back defeats ( eight in their last nine games) as they are now in the drop zone with just 24 points from 28 appearances. Although they fought hard last night despite conceding an early goal when Chelsea youngster Kenedy scored within 39 seconds of the match. Diego Costa then doubled the lead on the stroke of the halftime, though he seemed to be in an offside position. Norwich came back stronger in the second half. Cameron Jerome hit the bar before Nathan Redmond pulled one back around 68 minutes of the game. But it was not good enough as the Canaries must find a way now to grab some points with just ten games remaining.

Lineup:

Norwich City: John Ruddy, Ivo Pinto, Russel Martin, Timm Klose, Ryan Bennett (D Mbokani 60′), Robbie Brady, Alexander Tetty (Gary O’neil 36′), Wesley Hoolahan, Johny Howson, Nathan Redmond, Cameron Jerome.

Chelsea: Thibaut Courtios, Cesar Azpilicueta, Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, Kenedy (Baba Rahman 69′), Cese Fabregas, Nemanja Matic, Bertrand Traore ( John Obi Mikel 60′), Eden Hazard, Oscar(Willian 60′), Diego Costa.
Norwich City vs Chelsea Match Facts:

    Chelsea have won three successive Premier League games for the first time since April.
    Eden Hazard ended a run of 17 Premier League games without an assist by setting up Kenedy for Chelsea’s opener.
    Kenedy’s goal is the quickest ( 39 seconds) goal of this Premier League campaign.
    Chelsea have seen 16 different players score a PL goal for them this season, a league-high tally.
    Diego Costa has scored or assisted 12 goals in his last 10 Premier League appearances (eight goals, four assists).
    Nathan Redmond scored his first Premier League goal since October.
    Wes Hoolahan has recorded his best season for assists in a Premier League campaign with eight.

Norwich City vs Chelsea Match Stats:

    Norwich City     Chelsea

Goals                         1            2

Possession                47%        53%

Shots (on target)       13 (2)      10 (2)

Passing accuracy      77%         81%

Corners                    4              4

Offsides                    3             2

Fouls conceded (Bookings)      17(3)      5(2)