Don't rush headlong into it, DD - we appreciate there's much research that needs doing on these threads
Can't complain at the score. Not long after scored their 2nd I was just sat waiting for the 3rd and 4th to go flying in as we lost any control for that period. 2nd half - did not keep the ball well enough on those rare occasions when we had possession in the Chelsea half and looked to be running in to cul-de-sacs most of the time. Overall, reasonably happy to run a top 6 side close (the scoreline at least) but there is a lot of work to be done to tighten up at the back (no surprise there, that was always going to be a concern)
Cracking game and the sort of performance l was hoping for. Great that Cantwell got the opener and Pukki got his 5th (take that Lawro!). Aarons was a bit late getting to Abraham for the first goal. Hanley didn't do well on their last two goals but he also did well in other situations. Clearly he's not the CB we'd choose to play against Abraham but we had no choice. If we can run Chelsea that close then we can beat others in this league, for sure.
The heart and work rate was great, the blocks were fantastic. Bodies on the line. Both goals were well worked. We did look like we could have grabbed another goal. Which was encouraging. Impressed again by Godfrey, Pukki and Cantwell. Encouraged by Kruls performance. I just thought we were poor again at marking, and really sloppy with our passing. Which was a shame. Don't often see us play like that. I'm happy we only lost by one. At times it felt a little Liverpool-ie, the amount of pressure they had to absorb for periods. Was a pretty fair result really, and we didn't look a push over.
Pukki got very little service so the goal was a good return. Is it my imagination or was that a replica of the winner against Millwall? I am quite happy with 3-2.
Agree with all the above. No shame in losing to Chelsea and plenty of encouragement in the performances. You can highlight a few individual errors, which do make me think a couple of players succumbed to nerves. Trybull and Leitner were not as assured as usual. Hanley taking some justified criticism. He does do some good stuff, but you can’t avoid the fact that we have conceded four goals across three games where he should have done a lot better. That’s very expensive. Thought Krul could have done better for the third, he seemed slightly wrong footed, but put in some other cracking saves.
Hanley getting the sort of comments Krul & Cantwell got last year, alot undeserved. We were far from our best today Buendia, Aarons & Lewis were some way off their best. On some of the times that Hanley looked poor it was because the gap between him and Godfrey was too wide. I thought Godfrey and Krul were our 2 best players today.
Agreed - Godfrey was sublime and belies his till tender years. No wonder ManUre and Spurs were allegedly sniffing around.
Interesting stat from the BBC website Norwich's Todd Cantwell (one goal, two assists) has already been directly involved in as many Premier League goals in three games as he was in 24 Championship appearances last season.
Given a bit of a lesson in how to press without leaving gaping holes, today. Chelski bossed most of the game and we didn't seem to have the legs to play our game in the 2nd half. Resorted to hoofball in an attempt to keep the ball away from our goal, as opposed to patiently going for an equaliser. (Mostly because Chelsea didn't let us play, I might add) Aarons, and Buendia both pretty sub-par imo. Stiepermann and Hanley not up to this level in my book. Hanley gets turned inside out far too easliy. I hate that we always have a scapegoat, but he REALLY ISN'T good enough for the PL. Im sure you all know that, but im just giving my opinion. On the positive side, at least Pukki got another goal and we created a couple of first half chances. Ah well, on to Wet Sham! OTBC!!!
From Paddy's pointers - https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/canaries-chelsea-paddy-davitt-pointers-1-6234405 5. Crawley cup respite The Premier League feels all-consuming. Norwich were pulled into deep water in the manner Chelsea set about the task with savage intent. But after three games and when the dust settles the positive far outweigh the negatives. Farke's squad have a first league win on the board, they have players capable of scoring at this level and perhaps against the right opponents in the same volume they managed in the Championship. Farke will know the areas for concern but a League Cup trip to Crawley on Tuesday is a perfect opportunity for the fringe men to get a hit out. You would expect Ibrahim Amadou to get his first action in a Norwich shirt, while the likes of Mario Vrancic, Alex Tettey and Timm Klose are all playing catch up. Farke you can be sure will stress he wants to progress at the expense of the League Two hosts in midweek. But there is a bigger picture in play. Edit - after Wet Sham, we have Citeh at home and then some winnable games before we have to face ManUre Burnley - A Crystal Palace - A Aston Villa - H Bournemouth - A ManUre - H Brighton - A
Good game today. Even stevens first half,but outplayed 2nd half. Listened to Greg Downes after game on Radio Norfolk, and completely disagreed with his comments. According to him all our CB's are rubbish,and we should have spent big money on 2 new CB's. We should have spent £40+Million and invested in new players.What a twat.Good player,but crap pundit.
Interesting BB - as FML said earlier in the thread, 'Godfrey was everywhere' and had a header hit the post!!! Also, GH made some incredible blocks, especially in the 2nd half.
I sometimes think some of our supporters need a reality check,of who we are and where we came from. We were allways going to struggle against the Big 6 ,but I am confident we can pick up enough points off the others. Happy with the squad and proud of our ability to compete on a small budget.
To be fair I don't think we struggled against Chelsea, a bit unlucky not to get a point. Only teams I feel we will struggle is against Liverpool and Man City but feel like we can get points from any other teams.
Liverpool were gifted the first two goals at at Anfield (unforced own goal and a lucky deflection into Firminho's path in front of goal). Chelsea earned their goals today, as did ourselves. They're a top 6 side and will improve under Frank and they were desperate for a win today. Three points from our first three games puts us on course with two top six sides out of the way.