A blunt
performance against 18th-placed Norwich saw Chelsea miss the chance to
return to the top of the Barclays Premier League ahead of the concluding
week of the season.
At
the end of a week which began with a win at Liverpool which resurrected
their title hopes, and then saw the Blues eliminated from the Champions
League, Jose Mourinho's men once again demonstrated their lack of
cutting edge.
The
goalless draw left Chelsea, who visit already relegated Cardiff next
weekend, one point behind leaders Manchester City and second-placed
Liverpool, who have two games in hand, while Norwich's relegation could
be completed on Wednesday.
A
draw between Sunderland and West Brom - two and three points above the
Canaries, respectively - on Wednesday would all but seal the Norfolk
side's fate as they have such an inferior goal difference that a win at
home to Arsenal next Sunday would be immaterial.
Anger: Branislav Ivanovic (centre) was booked for dissent in the second half
Doubt: Eden Hazard was fouled in the Norwich box but the referee blew for offside
Just like for Chelsea, Norwich's lack of firepower appears to have been their undoing.
The
Canaries have scored just 28 goals all season - 11 of them away from
home - and were denied the chance of a 29th from the penalty spot when
Martin Olsson was fouled in the area by John Terry.
Andre
Schurrle hit the post for Chelsea in a poor first half of a game
enlivened when David Luiz was introduced at half-time alongside Eden
Hazard.
Luiz
struck the bar soon three minutes after his introduction before the
Belgium playmaker thought he had been fouled for a penalty.
Ryan
Bennett swiped wildly at Hazard in the area, making minimal contact but
enough to put off the Chelsea forward and to give the Blues reason to
feel aggrieved.
There
was little to celebrate as the Chelsea players lapped the field at the
end of their final home game of the season, with some likely to have
played their final matches at Stamford Bridge.
The
futures of captain Terry, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole are still to be
clarified as they enter the final weeks of their current contracts,
with Mourinho often outlining his desire to keep the trio.
Disbelief: John Terry reacts to Neil Swarbrick's decision to blow his whistle for offside
Leader: Norwich City manager Neil Adams shouts instructions from the touchline during the second half
Battle: Bradley Johnson (bottom) goes through Ashley Cole in attempt to win the ball
Foul? Martin Olsson (left) is brought down by Ashley Cole and John Terry in the first half
Play on: Terry (centre) and Cole (right) slide in to the tackle, but get away without making a foul
.jpeg)
No comments:
Post a Comment