Chelsea: Tammy Abraham (3″, 68″), Mason Mount (17″)
Norwich City: Todd Cantrell(6″), Temu Pukki (30″)
First Half
Chelsea opened the scoring after just three minutes through Abraham’s well-taken goal, only for the hosts to equalise only 156 seconds later as local boy Todd Cantwell side-footed home from close range after some lovely build-up play.
It was Abraham’s first senior goal for the club and he celebrated by running straight to Lampard. There was a second to come after the break, when his low drive beat goalkeeper Tim Krul and secured all three points.
“I loved the celebration,” said Lampard. “I spoke to him before the game and said that I felt that today was the day for him. It was a bit of kidology before the game, really, but I do trust in him and I know that as a striker, a young striker, you do need that support and I genuinely mean that.
“He’s had a tough little period for reasons we all know and strikers get judged purely on goals at times and sometimes that’s slightly unfair. I just defended and supported him on that as much as I can. On playing, hopefully, he’ll see my belief on him in terms of selection. From the fact he is playing. The fact I want to do extra finishing and shooting with him every day. The finish today for first one was top drawer. I’ve seen him sky a few of those in training, but you keep going and then you catch one and you score.”
On the influence of Lampard, Abraham added: “I didn’t even know how to celebrate, so I just ran over to the management and the staff. It always gives confidence to me and the young boys when the coach believes in you.”
Goal
What a moment for Tammy yesterday. ???? pic.twitter.com/oSWSP2X65i
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 25, 2019
Two in two for @MasonMount_10! ???? pic.twitter.com/6aJtikpxZ4
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 25, 2019
Second Half
Unperturbed, the visitors came out punching in the second half, and Tammy Abraham’s second goal of the day – and his Chelsea career – finally decided matters.
Abraham’s second goal saw him become the youngest Chelsea player to score twice in a Premier League fixture since 1998, twisting and turning and tying Grant Hanley and Jamal Lewis in knots before firing an unstoppable drive past Tim Krul.
Norwich struggled to match Chelsea’s tempo after the break and had to wait more than 20 minutes for their first attack of the second half. Ben Godfrey hit the bar with a header from a corner soon after but manager Daniel Farke ruled change was needed, making a triple substitution with 10 minutes to go as his side searched for a late equaliser.
It worked to some extent, Norwich pushing Chelsea harder in the later stages than they had throughout the half but ultimately not able to find what matters.
Team
Team news is in! ????
What do you think?#NORCHE pic.twitter.com/6BYNDZ1G3b
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 24, 2019
Here's your City XI and subs for the early kick-off against Chelsea ⬇️ #ncfc
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) August 24, 2019
Head to Head
After Match
Frank's #NORCHE reaction, including high praise for one of today's unsung heroes! ???? pic.twitter.com/vnita25h4X
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 24, 2019
Daniel Farke – “We came pretty close, I think it’s small details that make the difference. The draw at half-time was probably the right result. “There were periods where Chelsea put us under pressure and dominated, but sometimes you have to accept that good sides like Chelsea are going to do that and dominate you. We hit the crossbar and created a few chances and it was a close game.
“In general the officials were not crucial for the result, but my feeling was that five minutes to add at the end was not acceptable. Chelsea are an experienced team and took their time and had two cramps in the final few minutes and pretended to be injured. “I would also expect the same of my players, so I don’t accuse them. But with all the VAR and injuries please add the time on at the end, this is the situation I was not happy with.”
