Norwich City produced an excellent display as they bowed out to Premier League champions Chelsea on penalties at Stamford Bridge. The Canaries produced a superb defensive performance to keep a strong Chelsea side at bay and created great chances of their own.
Both sides rattled the crossbar in the opening half, as Drinkwater’s effort was tipped onto the bar by Gunn and Oliveira’s half-volley skimmed the bar. Batshuayi gave the Premier League side the lead when Norwich failed to close down Kenedy and was allowed to fire in a cross, leaving an easy finish from the Belgian. The Championship side responded extremely well, with Murphy striking the post and Maddison forcing Caballero into a superb save. Jamal Lewis eventually equalized deep into injury time as the game went into extra time. Gunn had to make a few excellent stops, twice denying Morata and made a brilliant one-handed save off a Willian shot.
Norwich probably sniffed a win as Chelsea were down to 9 men, the referee sending Pedro and Morata off in a space of 4 minutes. However, nothing happened and Oliveira’s miss in the shootout proved costly as Chelsea squeaked past them. Manager Daniel Farke would be extremely proud of what he saw in the 120 minutes and must now prepare for Sheffield United in 2 days’ time.
Following are the player ratings for Norwich City in their hard-fought yet disappointing loss against Chelsea.
Angus Gunn- 8/10
Excellent throughout, especially in the extra time where he kept his side in it with strong saves.
Grant Hanley- 7/10
Went missing for Chelsea’s goal but solid display otherwise.
Christoph Zimmermann- 7.5/10
A very good display from the German, making blocks and tackles throughout.
Timm Klose- 8/10
Apart from a sound defensive display, produced a wonderful cross for Lewis’s goal. Rarely caught out of position.
Ivo Pinto- 7.5/10
Heroic display from the Canaries’ captain, but had to do a lot better to prevent the first goal. Came off injured with cramps in extra time, sadly.
Harrison Reed- 6/10
Overrun as Norwich were almost entirely on the backfoot and first player to be taken off by Farke.
Mario Vrancic- 7/10
Tidy in possession, played some incisive passes whenever he had the chance.
Jamal Lewis- 7.5/10
Hardworking display as he barely got a chance to go forward but scored a lovely, looping header in off the post.
James Maddison- 6.5/10
Couldn’t do much as a creative force but forced Caballero into a very strong save in the second half as Norwich chased an equalizer.
Nelson Oliveira- 5.5/10
Hit the crossbar but couldn’t do much else. Missed his penalty that eventually decided the shootout.
Josh Murphy- 6/10
Similar to his striking partner, couldn’t impact the game much but hit the post in the second half.
Substitutes
Wes Hoolahan (Reed 82’) – 5.5/10
Overrun in extra time.
Todd Cantwell (Hanley 86’) – 6/10
Defended well as Chelsea looked to finish the game, but taken off in the second half of extra time.
