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Played
October 6, 2012 3:00 PM BST
Stamford Bridge — London
Referee:‬ A. Taylor‎
Attendance:‬ 41784‎
 
14′ Fernando Torres
Grant Holt 11′
22′ Frank Lampard
 
31′ Eden Hazard
 
76′ Branislav Ivanovic
 

Chelsea - Norwich Preview: Blues look to maintain unbeaten start to Premier League season

The league leaders welcome the Canaries to Stamford Bridge, and are looking to continue their good form from recent weeks against Chris Hughton's team

By Chris Teale

More On :  Chelsea FC, Norwich City, Chelsea FC vs Norwich City
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CHELSEA

Cech
Ivanovic, Terry, Luiz, Cole
Ramires, Mikel
Mata, Oscar, Hazard
Torres
NORWICH

Ruddy
Martin, Bassong, Barnett, Garrido
Snodgrass, Johnson, Howson, Pilkington
Hoolahan
Holt

The Blues have no new injury worries, so have almost a full-strength squad to select from.

Daniel Sturridge remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, but is well on the way to recovery and should be available in the near future.

For Norwich, both Sebastian Bassong and Anthony Pilkington are recovering from knocks, but should both be available to start the game, while Simon Lappin could be set for a return to the squad, but it is unlikely given his absence was due to ankle ligament damage.

Steven Whittaker looks to be nearing a comeback having picked up ankle ligament damage during a pre-season friendly, but this game will be too soon for him to make an appearance for the Canaries.

Beyond that, the Canaries have no new injury concerns, so have a strong squad available to manager Chris Hughton.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Chelsea are one of three teams still unbeaten in the Premier League this season, with Manchester City and Sunderland being the other two.
  • In their last 12 games at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, the Blues have won nine games and lost just one.
  • The Blues have won their last five consecutive games in all competitions against Norwich.
  • Eden Hazard leads the way in the Premier League assists chart with four so far this season.
  • Chelsea defender Ryan Bertrand (pictured) had a loan spell with Norwich in 2008, making 56 appearances and being dubbed "Plastic Bertrand" by the Canaries fans in reference to the Belgian singer.
  • With three points from their opening six games, Norwich have made their worst start to a Premier League season in their history.
  • The Canaries have conceded the most goals from outside the penalty area of all Premier League teams, with five finding their net.
  • Norwich lead the fair play charts so far in the Premier League, having picked up only two bookings.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Chelsea FC 3-0 Norwich City
    23.67 %
  • Chelsea FC 4-0 Norwich City
    15.43 %
  • Chelsea FC 3-1 Norwich City
    9.7 %
Head to Head
Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 26 Dec 2012 Norwich City 0 - Chelsea FC 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 6 Oct 2012 Chelsea FC 4 - Norwich City 1
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 21 Jan 2012 Norwich City 0 - Chelsea FC 0
  • Player Ratings
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 27 Aug 2011 Chelsea FC 3 - Norwich City 1
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Last Five Matches
Chelsea FC
24 May 2013Chelsea FC 3 - Manchester City 4FR
19 May 2013Chelsea FC 2 - Everton 1EPL
15 May 2013Benfica 1 - Chelsea FC 2EL
11 May 2013Aston Villa 1 - Chelsea FC 2EPL
8 May 2013Chelsea FC 2 - Tottenham 2EPL
Norwich City
19 May 2013Manchester City 2 - Norwich City 3EPL
12 May 2013Norwich City 4 - West Bromwich Albion 0EPL
4 May 2013Norwich City 1 - Aston Villa 2EPL
27 Apr 2013Stoke City 1 - Norwich City 0EPL
20 Apr 2013Norwich City 2 - Reading 1EPL
Odds
Returns: Chelsea £12.22 PaddyPower Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Returns: Draw £510.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Returns: Norwich City £3010.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Team News
Available Squads
1Petr CechGoalkeeper
2Branislav IvanovicDefender
3Ashley ColeDefender
4David LuizDefender
26John TerryDefender
8Frank LampardMidfielder
11OscarMidfielder
12John Obi MikelMidfielder
17Eden HazardMidfielder
9Fernando TorresStriker
10Juan MataStriker
22Ross TurnbullGoalkeeper
24Gary CahillDefender
28César AzpilicuetaDefender
34Ryan BertrandDefender
6Oriol RomeuMidfielder
7RamiresMidfielder
13Victor MosesMidfielder
1John RuddyGoalkeeper
2Russell MartinDefender
5S. BassongDefender
18Javier GarridoDefender
20Leon BarnettDefender
4Bradley JohnsonMidfielder
8Jonny HowsonMidfielder
14Wesley HoolahanMidfielder
17Elliott BennettMidfielder
27Alexander TetteyMidfielder
9Grant HoltStriker
28Mark BunnGoalkeeper
6Michael TurnerDefender
24Ryan Bennett Defender
7Robert SnodgrassMidfielder
12Anthony PilkingtonMidfielder
10Simeon JacksonStriker
5Steve MorisonStriker
Players to Watch
Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard
Position: Midfielder
Squad Number: 17
Games Goals YC RC
34 9 2 0
Hazard has caused havoc among Premier League defences so far this season, and if he is on form in this game the Canaries will have real problems. The Belgian has been a focal point of the Blues' attacking play, and will be crucial once again.
Grant Holt
Grant Holt
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 9
Games Goals YC RC
34 8 8 0
For the Canaries, the aerial threat of Holt will be key if they are to get through Chelsea's defence. The big striker has not hit the heights of last season's form that took him to the cusp of the England squad, but this game would be a superb time to recover.
Prediction
The Blues have started this season well in the Premier League, while Norwich have struggled somewhat under new manager Chris Hughton. With the attacking resources available to them, Chelsea should take an easy win on home turf.
Editor's Prediction
Chelsea 2
Norwich City 0
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Manchester United 		26 3
Luis Suárez Luis Suárez
Striker
Liverpool 		23 0
Gareth Bale Gareth Bale
Midfielder
Tottenham 		21 0
C. Benteke C. Benteke
Striker
Aston Villa 		19 3
Michu Michu
Midfielder
Swansea City 		19 0

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