Chelsea vs. Norwich City: Torres, Drogba, Mata Player Grades

Chelsea got their second win of the Premier League season in an exciting 3-1 contest over newly promoted Norwich City at Stamford Bridge today. Goals from Jose Bosingwa, Frank Lampard and new arrival Juan Mata were enough to see the Blues through on their best performance of the season.

Jose Bosingwa got things started early with a laser from 30 yards out. Frank Lampard lined him up and the Portuguese right back took the chance. The ball flew past the Norwich keeper before kissing the right post and finding the back of the net.

The tandem of Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres was a constant threat on the Norwich goal throughout, but both finished with nothing to show for it. However, fans will be happy to see that the two proved they may be able to work together effectively.

In the 63rd minute a miscommunication between backup keeper Hilario, who is filling in for the injured Petr Cech, and center back Branislav Ivanovic gave Norwich a goal against the run of play. The two collided on the edge of the box, allowing Grant Holt to flick the ball into the net.

Only minutes later matters got much worse for Chelsea as Drogba challenged Nrowich keeper John Ruddy on a cross. Ruddy went to punch the ball out with two fists and connected on the side of the Ivorian’s head, knocking him out instantly and sending his flailing body crashing to the ground.

Medics rushed out to assess his injuries. After many tense minutes and being given oxygen, he showed some signs of movement. The Chelsea website describes his injury as a “mild concussion” and with no serious damage.

Ten minutes later, Drogba’s substitute Nicolas Anelka would get free on a counter and feed the ball to the on-rushing Ramires. Ramires would get behind the back line and tap the ball around Ruddy before being brought down for a penalty and giving Ruddy a straight red card.

Lampard stepped up to the ball and put the penalty home to give Chelsea the lead back, like he has so many times for the club.

Playing with only 10 men, Norwich was at the mercy of Chelsea’s passing. In extra time, an errant pass from Norwich’s Ritchie De Laet found Chelsea’s latest arrival, Mata. The Spaniard gathered the ball and coolly slotted it home around the Norwich backup keeper to give him his first goal as a Chelsea player in his debut game.

Chelsea got a much-needed win today over a lesser side. Though they at times looked to be struggling, there were many more positive moments than not.

New arrivals Mata and Romelu Lukaku looked excellent and have justified their price tags so far. With the big match against Man U just two weeks away, Chelsea are going to want to muster a bit of momentum before they make the trip up north. The win today was a good way to start that.

Player Grades

Hilario: B-

Many people see his goof in the second half as the defining moment of his performance. The truth is that Ivanovic must share some of the blame and that he was exceptional in the first half when the defense broke down. It is still a rare and invaluable commodity to have a backup keeper the likes of Hilario.

Ashely Cole: B-

Cole showed a bit more in the way of what fans and his coaches expect of him, but he still was not all there. In one particular instance he got caught too far up field and allowed Norwich in behind him. He has been doing this much too often and not as effective in the attack as Villas-Boas expects.

Branislav Ivanovic: C+

Defensively, he was sound in the air and on tackles. However, his failure to back off a ball that one can only assume an experienced keeper like Hilario would have called him off of led to Norwich’s only goal. He had a chance to redeem himself in the final minutes with a free header, but uncharacteristically put it wide of the net.

John Terry: B

Another game where his name was not called often, but his impact was huge. Played a solid game defensively, providing positional coverage that kept the Norwich attack confused for much of the contest.

Jose Bosingwa: B+

His opening strike was sensational and showed the amount of confidence he is currently playing with. His dribbles up the right side wreaked havoc on the Norwich midfield and cut up the back four. Now all he has to do is prove that he can continue this form against better competition.

John Obi Mikel: C

Mikel was inconsequential for the better part of this match. His name was rarely called and he did not have any real influence on the lead ups to the goals. With that said, he also did not make and dire mistakes.

Frank Lampard: B+

Lampard has struggled throughout Villas-Boas’ reign. Some say he is getting too old. Others that he cannot play in this system. Today he proved all his critics wrong as he would finish the game with a goal and an assist. He seemed more comfortable in the deep midfield than any game before, supplying crisp passes and smart moves. If he can keep this up Chelsea can worry less about the transfer of Modric.

Ramires: A-

For the third game in a row Ramires has proven to be the most valuable player on the team. No one plays with as much intensity or energy, as his tackles and passes command the midfield. Today his speed proved to be the decisive point in the match. Essien is gone for another four months at least. The worries about who will fill his role for that span has more than adequately been answered.

Didier Drogba: B

Drogba was his normal self on the ball; physical and quick. But today was really a test of whether he and Torres could effectively play well together. The answered appears to be yes. The two were in sync on most plays and often fed the ball to one another for a scoring chance. Often only inches separated their passes from being goals and in the hands of the keeper. If this relationship can continue to grow opposing teams will have quite a time trying to figure how to contain the two.

Fernando Torres: B

Similar to Drogba, this was a game to measure how he could play with the big Ivorian. The two were supportive of one another and played well. Drogba’s size and ability to flick on the ball almost gave Torres a clear run on goal a few times.  Torres stopped carrying the ball and played more as a striker running on to it. In that role he was much more successful and much more threatening.

Florent Malouda: C+

Was decent with the ball, but untimely finished the game with not much to note. His dribbles helped open up space, but his passes were off more often than not. With Mata now present he can’t afford many more poor games or he could quickly find himself on the bench.

Juan Mata (68th minute for Malouda): B

Chelsea’s new arrival made his impact felt immediately netting a goal and showing a bit of spark that had Villas-Boas paying almost £30 million. Though his goal was a gift, he scored it nonetheless. His passing was spot on and his speed made the whole team look more dynamic. For all the good he did he will have to prove that he can continue it against a better side that is fielding a full 11 men to really win over the hears of the Chelsea fans.

Nicolas Anelka (71st minute for Drogba): B+

Anelka came on after Drogba’s horrendous collision. Within 10 minutes of his introduction, he got the ball up ahead on a counter and provided an perfectly timed pass to Ramires, which led to Lampard’s penalty. For someone who at the beginning of Villas-Boas’ reign was expected to be one of the first players out, he has shown his worth and will continue to be a part of the boss’s plans for games to come.

Romelu Lukaku (83rd minute for Torres): A

Despite being the only sub that did not have his hand directly in a goal, to come on in your first game at age 18 and immediately out muscle and dribble the defense is quite some feat. His being touted as the world’s next great striker was on display within minutes of entering the game. His "A" grade is more for the promise he showed for the future than what he produced today.