Frank Lampard has secured his first win as Chelsea boss with a 3-2 victory over Norwich City.
Chelsea are successful in their third attempt in the Premier League with a 3-2 victory over Norwich City. Manager Frank Lampard, who was longing for the first victory, got off to a flier through Tammy Abraham’s strike in the 3rd minute.
However, the hosts equalized through their midfielder Todd Cantwell three minutes after the English striker opened the game’s scoring. For the second time, the Blues lead the game through a blistering counter-attack, finished off by the academy graduate Mason Mount. When Pulisic pulled the ball back, the attacking midfielder’s supreme touch took the ball away from the defender, to find the back of the net in a spectacular fashion.
The Chelsea defence was caught napping as the Canaries talisman Teemu Pukki slotted the ball behind the back of the net with ease. When an invitation was provided to run behind the defence, he timed the run perfectly to calmly slot the ball to see the net bulging. The hosts pressed up high to take the lead, but the Blues stood strong. In the second half, Tammy Abraham scored a delightful goal, which proved to be the winner. There were no real chances created until the final whistle.
We shall look at the five talking points as Frank Lampard and Chelsea earn a much-deserved victory.
#5 Norwich ran out of steam too early
Chelsea started the game on a higher ante, but it was the hosts who did a lot of running in the first half. The Canaries worked hard in the first half – an element which worked towards the blues favour.
Once the visitors found the back of the net for the third time, Norwich struggled to win back the ball. They did not stand a chance to equalize the score – helping Chelsea’s course in the match.
Since they were building the attack from the back, Norwich midfielders were worn out because of their immense attacking and defensive contribution. Under Frank Lampard’s helm, the opponents used this methodology, but it signifies the increasing fitness levels of Chelsea.
#4 Chelsea’s centre-backs are plodding
The Blues were left with Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, and Kurt Zouma following the departure of David Luiz. The German Antonio Rudiger has started to train after a lengthy lay-off – forcing Lampard’s plans to work with two inexperienced defenders.
The defence, as a whole, got exposed in the first goal, while the centre-backs were caught napping for the second goal. When Buendia sought for space, he found the talisman Teemu Pukki running behind the defence. The Finnish International made an excellent run to get into the penalty box. Kurt Zouma chased the striker, but the Norwich City star had too much pace.
Pukki placed the ball to perfection to equalize the scoreline. In games against Manchester United, Liverpool, and Leicester City, the backline struggled to cope up with the opponent attackers.
Opponents will take notes of the slowness of Chelsea centre-backs and desire to exploit it.
#3 Teemu Pukki shows his proficiency once again
Teemu Pukki came with a huge reputation following a 29-goal season with Norwich City in the Championship. The Finnish International, who found the back of the net against a stubborn Liverpool defence and a hat-trick past Newcastle United last week, continued his adroitness in front of the goal.
When Chelsea centre-backs were ball-watching, Teemu Pukki made an easy run behind the defence. Kurt Zouma chased him, but the striker’s proficiency came into play as he scored past Kepa Arrizabalaga with ease, by picking out a superb spot.
Teemu Pukki also set up the first goal – finding Todd Cantwell inside the penalty box. The midfielder slotted the ball past the Blues shot-stopper to make it 1-1. During the whole game, the striker picked out extraordinary positions to stretch Chelsea’s defence and cause havoc in the backline.
It was an extraordinary performance and Fakre will be hoping that the striker would carry the same form into the next game.
#2 Lightning Chelsea’s attack
The midfielders were too slow to react frequently, but the attackers were totally different. The Blues attackers consisted of Tammy Abraham, Ross Barkley, Mason Mount, and Christian Pulisic. Apart from the former Everton midfielder, the rest three were playing at full-throttle with their breakneck pace.
When the ball was carried by Christian Pulisic in the first half, Cesar Azpilicueta made an overlapping run. The Spaniard picked out Tammy inside the penalty box, who scored without taking a touch. As for the second goal, the combination of Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount were handy. The USA international’s sleek touch to pick out Mount was exquisite. The academy graduate took a touch to drag the ball away from the defender and find the back of the net.
There is a lack of experience in the forward department, but it could only get better with time.
#1 Tammy Abraham rises to the occasion
The English International showed some of his glimpses during the first three games and the wait for Tammy Abraham to break the deadlock finally culminates with a fantastic brace against Norwich City.
When Cesar Azpilicueta produced a top-notch ball, Abraham was facing the wrong side of the goalpost. But, he did not bother to take a touch to score his first goal in Chelsea colours. As for the second goal, he controlled the long ball to perfection and went past two defenders to pick out an excellent spot. Tim Krul had no chance because of the ferocity of the shot.
The striker has good strength – holding on the ball and pick out passes in the final third. Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, and Christian Pulisic have an abundance of pace, which would make life tougher for the opponents.
