In a massive step towards ensuring Champions League football next season, the Blues edged out a narrow 1-0 victory at home to Norwich City. Despite scoring only once through Olivier Giroud, the hosts looked in fine form throughout the game and would have nabbed a few more goals on any other day with the kind of performance displayed at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.
As soon as the whistle blew to commence the proceedings of the game, Chelsea FC looked certain to inflict pressure upon the Canaries. Frank Lampard’s side hogged up a lion’s share of the possession, however, could not translate the possession into goals for themselves.
The Blues forced Norwich City’s goalkeeper Tim Krul to make his first save of the night when Giroud latched on to a long ball played forward and attempted to strike it on the half-volley. The Frenchman’s effort was, however, tame as the striker could not get enough contact on the ball. Krul easily managed to save the ball, denying the Blues their first goal of the night.
In-form Christian Pulisic looked certain to add to his recent goalscoring spree with the American making a clever turn and shooting from close range. However, Krul was alert and made a great fingertip save to divert Pulisic’s effort onto the crossbar.
Just before the first-half came to end, Pulisic found himself on the left flank, with his teammates awaiting a glorious delivery into the box. The 21-year old managed to make a brilliant inswinging cross into the box which was met by a perfectly timed header from Giroud to give Chelsea FC the lead on the cusp of halftime.
Despite the flurry of attacks coming from either wing, the Blues were unable to put more goals past Krul, who displayed a great performance on Tuesday night.
Norwich City looked ready to pull one back after the second half started, with the visitors also solidifying their defensive tactics in the closing 45 minutes of the game. Krul made a series of fine stops to deny Marcos Alonso and Pulisic from getting on the scoresheet.
The win recorded at Stamford Bridge allowed Frank Lampard’s side to retain their third position in the Premier League table. Chelsea FC have gone four points clear of fourth-placed Leicester City, having played one game more than the Foxes.
MATCH STATS
SCORE: 1-0
Possession: Chelsea FC- 69% Norwich City FC- 31%
Corners: Chelsea FC- 8 Norwich City FC 1
Shots: Chelsea FC- 21 Norwich City FC- 2
Offsides: Chelsea FC- 0 Norwich City FC- 1
