Norwich vs. Chelsea: Score, Reaction from 2016 Premier League Match

Chelsea hung on to beat relegation-threatened Norwich City 2-1 at Carrow Road in the Premier League on Tuesday. The Blues went in front when Brazilian Kenedy got a rapid opener in less than a minute before Diego Costa controversially added to the tally on the stroke of half-time.   

Nathan Redmond put the pressure on Chelsea after the break with a fine goal for the home side, yet the visitors managed to survive.

The result continues Chelsea's fantastic revival under interim manager Guus Hiddink, with last season's champions now up to eighth in the table and in sight of a European spot.

By contrast, Norwich have dropped into the bottom three on goal difference. The Canaries remain wide-open at the back while also struggling to find the net. It's a combination that usually spells doom come the end of the season.

Kenedy had been included in a Chelsea starting XI that also featured 20-year-old striker Bertrand Traore, per the club's official site:

Meanwhile, Canaries gaffer Alex Neil packed midfield. Jonny Howson, Wes Hoolahan and Alex Tettey were all included, per the team and Coral:

But Norwich's plans were undone in less than 40 seconds when Kenedy cut in from the left to place an expert shot into the net. Nobody has got off the mark as quickly this season, per the league's official site:

Still, Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard doesn't think Chelsea have made the most of the South American's talent:

Kenedy's goal was created by smart work from Eden Hazard. The winger had been underperforming, but like many, he's regained his form since Hiddink took over, as Squawka helped detail:

Norwich proved more resilient for most of the rest of the first half, although the home side could thank Traore for being wasteful. The 20-year-old showed the rawness of youth when his heavy touch let John Ruddy collect easily.

It took the experience of Costa to show Traore how it's done. He went through despite appearing clearly offside to lift the ball coolly over Ruddy for a two-goal lead at half-time.

Costa has been firmly back to his best since the turn of the year, as WhoScored.com noted:

The Blues could have been made to feel the pressure shortly after the break, but Cameron Jerome missed a glorious chance for the hosts. Johnson pulled no punches in summing up the wasted opportunity:

Jerome soon spurned another promising opener, a miss that prompted this question from BBC Match of the Day:

Fortunately for Norwich, Redmond showed more composure in front of goal. The winger raced on to Hoolahan's smart pass before rasping his shot into the net.

In response, goal hero Kenedy, who had been in some pain, was swapped for Baba Rahman as Hiddink rang the changes.

But there was a break in play when Norwich players Gary O'Neil and Robbie Brady were involved in an ugly clash of heads that left both players battered and bloodied.

Once things resumed, Redmond continued causing Chelsea a host of problems. His pace and delivery from wide areas led to more than a few scrambles in the away box late on.

But the Blues held on, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in commanding form.

Post-Match Reaction

Neil naturally focused his post-match ire on the dubious nature of Chelsea's winner:

But he also called on his side to make better use of their own chances:

By contrast, Hiddink was happy, with the result but found fault with his team's performance:

Still, the Dutchman is feeling confident enough to set a new, very achievable target for the Blues in the remainder of this season:

Chelsea will likely wonder what their league position would look like had Hiddink succeeded Jose Mourinho earlier, while Norwich will know their problems at both ends could mark a quick return to the Championship.