Juan Mata introduced himself to the Premier League in style scoring a late goal to put the gloss on a hard fought win over newly promoted Norwich, although the result was marred though as Didier Drogba suffered a serious head injury after Canaries keeper accidentally caught him in the face clearing the ball.
Chelsea took only five minutes to open the scoring with Boswinga exchanging passes with Lampard before spanking an unstoppable effort in off the post. The home side held that lead going into the second half only for Holt to equalise after a mistake from Hilario and silence the Stamford Bridge brigade.
The Norwich skipper cleverly hooked the ball into and empty net after Hilario had rushed out of goal only to run straight into Branislav Ivanovic who could only head the ball into Holts path. Minutes later Drogba was knocked out by Ruddy before substitute Steve Morison squandered a great chance hesitating at the vital moment after latching onto a ball over the top from Holt allowing John Terry to slide in and clear.
Chelsea made them pay as Ramires was brought down by Ruddy in the area and was immediately red carded. Lampard performed his duties from the spot lashing the ball past sub Declan Rudd.
Drogba’s injury required 10 minutes of added time and that allowed Mata to get his name on the scoresheet cooly rolling the ball past Rudd to break plucky Norwich’s resistance.
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