Chelsea vs Norwich City: Memorable Meetings

Having survived the tedium of the international break, it is time to look ahead to a return to domestic action again as Norwich City face a trip to West London to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Prior to the start of the season, it would have taken a brave man to predict that by the time the two sides met twelve games in City would actually be above Chelsea in the league table. This is indeed the case, however, and judging by the standings anyone would be forgiven for describing the game as a ‘six pointer’ affair.

Norwich have been no strangers to Stamford Bridge in recent times, and, while success has been minimal, I take a look at the more memorable visits.

Chelsea 0 - 0 Norwich City - 4th May 2014

Norwich entered their final away game of the season in a thankless situation - 3 points adrift in the relegation zone, with a far inferior goal difference to Sunderland in 17th and with a final day visit of Arsenal looming over them. Essentially, our trip to Stamford Bridge was a must win and, basically, Norwich fans were resigned to our fate. For the majority, the game was a pride mission - and Neil Adam’s City side more than delivered. A Chelsea victory would have taken them top and such an outcome was widely expected, but Norwich - who won twice away from home all season - frustrated the hosts with a defensive display unbefitting of a relegation outfit. Earning a 0-0 draw, Norwich ended a run of eight successive away league defeats and gave fans a very slim glimmer of hope for survival. City had been defeated in their previous six visits to the Bridge and, while the point proved to be of little significance as defeat to Arsenal a week later confirmed our demise, the draw was one small highlight in an otherwise bleak season.

Chelsea 3 - 1 Norwich City - 27th August 2011

As just our second away match back in the Premier League following back to back promotions, this game represented our first match up against a top four side in over 6 years. Duly, we entered with much trepidation. Such trepidation, however, was proved to be misplaced as Norwich matched the riches of Chelsea in a performance that stands out, for me, as one of our best during Paul Lambert’s reign. When Jose Bosingwa’s long range effort beat John Ruddy with just a few minutes on the clock it looked like it would be a long afternoon for City, but, having survived the early onslaught, we began to find our rhythm. We displayed a level of “quick, intelligent and intuitive football” (as described by the Telegraph) that was unbefitting of a side who were plying their trade in League One just 18 months prior, and, at times, Chelsea couldn’t cope. When Grant Holt equalised mid-way through the second half following a Hilario and John Terry mix up it was no more than we deserved.

You know when as supporters you get those goals that stick in your mind simply due to the level of insane euphoria that greeted it hitting the net? That was one of those goals. I can vividly remember the celebrations in the Upper tier of the Shed End to this day.

Unfortunately, and rather unfairly, a late Frank Lampard penalty and subsequent red card for John Ruddy, followed by a third goal from debutant Juan Mata, meant that Chelsea ran out 3-1 winners. It was, however, one of those few defeats that did very little to dampen spirits as with that level of performance against the very best, you just knew that we would be okay that season.

Chelsea 2 - 3 Norwich City - 12th September 1992

Following a surprise flying start to the season, the Canaries headed to Stamford Bridge in the unfamiliar position of being perched on the top of the Premier League table. It looked like the trip could have served to burst City’s bubble, as we quickly found ourselves two goals behind following strikes from Mick Harford and Andy Townsend. However, with thanks in part to some calamitous goalkeeping from Dave Beasant, Norwich staged a remarkable comeback. Firstly, Mark Robins gave City a lifeline as his feeble attempt trickled past Beasant, before the English goalkeeper was caught embarrassingly out of position allowing Robins again to poke home an equaliser. In a day to forget for the now Reading goalkeeper coach, Beasant, somehow allowed a scuffed David Phillips effort to squirm through his grasp to complete a hat trick of howlers - saving the worst till last. City held on for victory, earning the second of what went on to be 3 successive victories at Stamford Bridge in 3 years. `While we could not maintain our position at the top of the table, we went on to finish a lofty third which to date is the clubs highest ever league finish.

It’s a shame that I couldn’t include more victories, but that is mainly because there really are very few! In all of 21 visits to Stamford Bridge, Norwich have come out victorious just four times - 3 of which came in the aforementioned spell between 1991-1994, with 1994 actually being the last time City ran out winners at the Bridge. About time for another day of Canary delight at Stamford Bridge this Saturday, 21 years on, then?

With Alex Neil at the helm, you can never say never.