Sunday, 4 May 2014
Norwich Holds Chelsea To Stalemate
Norwich City held Chelsea to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge to keep their hopes of staying in the Premier League alive after and all but end Chelsea's title race.
John Terry went close with a header and Chelsea twice hit the woodwork, but City's Martin Olsson also had a strong penalty appeal turned down.
A Chelsea victory was widely expected, but Norwich - who have only won twice away from home this season, frustrated the hosts and left Mourinho facing the prospect of a trophyless season.
A win for Liverpool at Crystal Palace on Monday will inevitably end Chelsea's title hopes while Norwich must beat Arsenal and hope Sunderland lose their last two games for them to remain in the top flight.
Going into the day's game, Victory would have moved Chelsea top of the Log, but a draw means Jose Mourinho's side sit third, a point behind leader, Manchester City and second placed Liverpool.
Mourinho made several changes to the side that was defeated mid week in the Champions League, Eden Hazard was surprisingly left on the bench while Salah takes his place, Ba also got the nod ahead of Torres who was also on the bench.
Indeed, the Blues could have fallen behind in the first 10 minutes, with Olsson having a convincing penalty appeal turned down, while Bradley Johnson nearly connected with the Swede's dangerous cross from the right wing.
But it was the hosts who came closest to breaking the deadlock. First an unmarked Terry headed straight at John Ruddy from six yards, then Andre Schurrle beat John Ruddy with a low, curling strike only to see it hit the woodwork.
The introduction of Hazard, whose commitment his manager questioned in midweek, and Luiz at the start of the second half added urgency and incisiveness to Chelsea's play.
And the double substitutions nearly had an immediate impact, only for the woodwork to come to Ruddy's rescue again, Luiz's swirling 25-yard effort striking the crossbar.
Norwich were forced to retreat further and further towards their own goal as the match progressed, but Chelsea were unable to get the better of the away team's compact and obdurate defence, as has been the case for them against many of the league's lower-placed teams this season.
Norwich even had the chance to snatch a dramatic winner through a Robert Snodgrass counter-attack, but the Scot man's effort was deflected behind for a corner by a last-ditch Gary Cahill lunge.
Hazard then forced a fine save from Ruddy but Norwich held firm to consign Chelsea to their worst points total under Jose Mourinho, with their maximum possible haul now 82 - one fewer than the Portuguese's previous worst of 83.
The draw ended a run of eight successive away league defeats for Norwich and a thumbs-up to the fans from stand-in manager Neil Adams at the final whistle suggests the Canaries still believe, but their chances of survival are very slim.
Even if Norwich beat Arsenal at Carrow Road next Sunday, Sunderland's superior goal difference means the Canaries must hope the Black Cats lose their remaining two matches - against West Brom on Wednesday and Swansea on Sunday - if they are to extend their stay in the top flight.
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