|
|
Played
August 27, 2011 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford Bridge — London
Referee: M. Jones
Attendance: 41765
August 27, 2011 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford Bridge — London
Referee: M. Jones
Attendance: 41765
Top of the Match
Grant Holt
Norwich City
Norwich City
Juan Mata
Chelsea
Chelsea
Flop of the Match
Fernando Torres
Chelsea
Chelsea
John Ruddy
Norwich City
Norwich City
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Chelsea 3-1 Norwich City: Debut goal from Mata and Lampard penalty reprieve Hilario after blunder
The Blues record another hard-fought victory, while the Canaries sink to defeat and end the game with 10 men after goalkeeper John Ruddy is sent off.
By Mike Slane
It was a game of ups and downs for Chelsea.
Frank Lampard and Juan Mata scored unanswered goals after goalkeeper Henrique Hilario's embarrassing moment as Chelsea defeated Norwich City 3-1 Saturday in a match that saw Didier Drogba stretchered off the field with a serious head injury.
Jose Bosingwa opened the scoring with a classy strike from distance before a Hilario clanger gifted Grant Holt an equalizer. But it was all Chelsea from that moment on as Lampard scored in the 82nd minute and Mata in the 101st.
Lampard's goal came on a penalty kick after Ramires was sent sprawling by goalkeeper John Ruddy, who earned himself an automatic red card. With Norwich's substitute keeper Declan Rudd in the game, Lampard drilled the ball straight down the middle to take the lead.
The penalty couldn't have come at a better time for Chelsea, which gave up an easy goal to Holt in the 63rd minute. Hilario came out of his goal too early to catch a cross and paid the price as the ball smashed off teammate Branislav Ivanovic allowing Holt to put it in the empty net.
Drogba had to be taken off after a mid-air collision with Ruddy left the striker out cold. The unfortunate incident brought forced a seven-minute delay of play.
Mata entered the game in the 68th minute as Drogba was being taken off for his debut with the Blues after completing the transfer from Valencia this week. Mata scored right before the final whistle as he took advantage of poor passing by the Norwich defense and finished a poachers effort. The winger clearly enjoyed his goal and ran to the stands to celebrate with his new fans.
Romelu Lukaku, another forward signed this week, entered the game in the 83rd minute for Fernando Torres.
Frank Lampard and Juan Mata scored unanswered goals after goalkeeper Henrique Hilario's embarrassing moment as Chelsea defeated Norwich City 3-1 Saturday in a match that saw Didier Drogba stretchered off the field with a serious head injury.
Jose Bosingwa opened the scoring with a classy strike from distance before a Hilario clanger gifted Grant Holt an equalizer. But it was all Chelsea from that moment on as Lampard scored in the 82nd minute and Mata in the 101st.
Lampard's goal came on a penalty kick after Ramires was sent sprawling by goalkeeper John Ruddy, who earned himself an automatic red card. With Norwich's substitute keeper Declan Rudd in the game, Lampard drilled the ball straight down the middle to take the lead.
The penalty couldn't have come at a better time for Chelsea, which gave up an easy goal to Holt in the 63rd minute. Hilario came out of his goal too early to catch a cross and paid the price as the ball smashed off teammate Branislav Ivanovic allowing Holt to put it in the empty net.
Drogba had to be taken off after a mid-air collision with Ruddy left the striker out cold. The unfortunate incident brought forced a seven-minute delay of play.
Mata entered the game in the 68th minute as Drogba was being taken off for his debut with the Blues after completing the transfer from Valencia this week. Mata scored right before the final whistle as he took advantage of poor passing by the Norwich defense and finished a poachers effort. The winger clearly enjoyed his goal and ran to the stands to celebrate with his new fans.
Romelu Lukaku, another forward signed this week, entered the game in the 83rd minute for Fernando Torres.
Follow MIKE SLANE on 
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EDT
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Robin van Persie
Striker Arsenal |
30 | 2 |
|
Wayne Rooney
Striker Man United |
27 | 6 |
|
Kun Agüero
Striker Man City |
23 | 3 |
|
Aiyegbeni Yakubu
Striker Blackburn Rovers |
17 | 4 |
|
Emmanuel Adebayor
Striker Tottenham |
17 | 3 |