Match ends, Chelsea 0, Norwich City 0.
ChelseaChelsea0NorwichNorwich City0
Norwich's hopes of staying in the Premier League remain alive after they dented Chelsea's title ambitions with a hard-fought draw at Stamford Bridge.
John Terry went close with a header and Chelsea twice hit the woodwork, but City's Martin Olsson also had a strong penalty appeal turned down.
The draw means Chelsea's title hopes can be ended by a Liverpool win at Crystal Palace on Monday.
Norwich must beat Arsenal and hope Sunderland lose their last two games.
Victory would have moved Chelsea top, but a draw means Jose Mourinho's side are a point behind leaders Manchester City and second-placed Liverpool, having played a game more than both.
The Portuguese has long since made his desire for a new striker known and his case for summer recruits was strengthened by a toothless performance that was only partially improved by the introduction of Eden Hazard's inventiveness in the second half.
Norwich ended a run of eight successive away league defeats and a thumbs-up to the fans from stand-in manager Neil Adams at the final whistle suggests the Canaries still believe, but their chances of survival are very slim.
Even if Norwich beat Arsenal at Carrow Road next Sunday, Sunderland's superior goal difference means the Canaries must hope the Black Cats lose their remaining two matches - against West Brom on Wednesday and Swansea on Sunday - if they are to extend their stay in the top flight.
A Chelsea victory was widely expected, but Norwich - who have only won twice away from home this season - frustrated the hosts and left Mourinho facing the prospect of a trophyless season.
Indeed, the Blues could have fallen behind in the first 10 minutes, with Olsson having a convincing penalty appeal turned down, while Bradley Johnson nearly connected with the Swede's dangerous cross from the right wing.
But it was the hosts who came closest to breaking the deadlock. First the unmarked Terry headed straight at John Ruddy from six yards, then Andre Schurrle beat John Ruddy with a low, curling strike only to see it hit the woodwork.
The introduction of Hazard, whose commitment his manager questioned in midweek, and Luiz at the start of the second half added urgency and incisiveness to Chelsea's play.
| How can they stay up? | ||
|---|---|---|
| West Brom P36 Pts 36 GD -13 | Sunderland P36 Pts 35 GD -19 | Norwich P37 Pts 33 GD -32 |
| One point from their final two games against Sunderland and Stoke will mathematically secure safety. | One win against West Brom or Swansea would guarantee safety. A point is likely to be enough thanks to their superior goal difference. | Must beat Arsenal to stand any chance but also need Sunderland to lose both remaining games because of their goal difference. |
And the double substitutions nearly had an immediate impact, only for the woodwork to come to Ruddy's rescue again, Luiz's swirling 25-yard effort striking the crossbar.
Norwich were forced to retreat further and further towards their own goal as the match progressed, but Chelsea were unable to get the better of the away team's compact and obdurate defence, as has been the case for them against many of the league's lower-placed teams this season.
Norwich even had the chance to snatch a dramatic winner through a Robert Snodgrass counter-attack, but the Scot was thwarted by a last-ditch Gary Cahill lunge.
Hazard then forced a fine save from Ruddy but Norwich held firm to consign Chelsea to their worst points total under Jose Mourinho, with their maximum possible haul now 82 - one fewer than the Portuguese's previous worst of 83.
Line-ups
Chelsea
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 23Schwarzer
- 2IvanovicBooked at 57mins
- 3Cole
- 21MaticSubstituted forTorresat 73'minutes
- 24Cahill
- 26Terry
- 15SalahSubstituted forE Hazardat 45'minutes
- 8LampardSubstituted forDavid Luizat 45'minutes
- 19Ba
- 22Willian
- 14Schürrle
Substitutes
- 4David Luiz
- 9Torres
- 16Van Ginkel
- 17E Hazard
- 29Eto'o
- 33Kalas
- 40Hilario
Norwich
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Ruddy
- 2Martin
- 3Whittaker
- 4Johnson
- 24BennettBooked at 60mins
- 6TurnerBooked at 87mins
- 7Snodgrass
- 27Tettey
- 16ElmanderSubstituted forRedmondat 69'minutes
- 8Howson
- 23OlssonBooked at 90mins
Substitutes
- 5Bassong
- 9van Wolfswinkel
- 10Fer
- 11Hooper
- 13Bunn
- 17Bennett
- 22Redmond
- Referee:
- Neil Swarbrick
- Attendance:
- 41,602
Match Stats
Home TeamChelseaAway TeamNorwich
- Possession
- Home71%
- Away29%
- Shots
- Home23
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away3
- Corners
- Home5
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away17
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Chelsea 0, Norwich City 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. John Terry (Chelsea) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Willian with a cross.
Booking
Martin Olsson (Norwich City) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
David Luiz (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Martin Olsson (Norwich City).
Post update
Attempt saved. Bradley Johnson (Norwich City) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Michael Turner with a headed pass.
Post update
Attempt missed. Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Willian.
Post update
Attempt missed. Demba Ba (Chelsea) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Willian with a cross following a set piece situation.
Booking
Michael Turner (Norwich City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Fernando Torres (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Michael Turner (Norwich City).
Post update
Foul by John Terry (Chelsea).
Post update
Robert Snodgrass (Norwich City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Offside, Chelsea. Willian tries a through ball, but Eden Hazard is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Willian (Chelsea) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Eden Hazard (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Alexander Tettey (Norwich City).
Post update
Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Nathan Redmond (Norwich City).
