Chelsea 1-0 Norwich: The one where World Cup winners play Scrabble

Looking for that triple word score

What a ridiculous let off over the weekend. After an absolute shoeing by Sheffield United on Saturday, Chelsea somehow remained in third. Leicester's second half implosion at Bournemouth not only worked in Chelsea's favour as a result - but also took the heat off as far as embarrassing performances go. Man United failing to hold on against a motivated Southampton side was a bonus.

Unsurprisingly, Frank Lampard rang in the changes from the defeat at Bramall Lane on Saturday. Olivier Giroud replaced Tammy Abraham up top. While Mason Mount and Ross Barkley make way for Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mateo Kovacic. Antonio Rudiger and Marcos Alonso were selected ahead of Andreas Christensen and Reece James.

That Pulisic-Giroud connection

Fikayo Tomori returned to the bench but didn't manage to make an appearance. Could we see the him handed a start on the weekend against Manchester United? No pressure or anything on the brilliant young Canadian.

Like many matches this season, Chelsea boasted all the possession, but Norwich proved a lot trickier to break down than in the reverse fixture. Having already been relegated, there's a certain freedom in how a team can play. Having no fans in the ground can only help that. Norwich didn't come to get a goal - they sat deep and made themselves difficult to break down.

'Just like this, Oli?'

However, the combination of Christian Pulisic and Olivier Giroud is difficult for anyone to contain for 90 minutes. After a number of efforts were blocked by Tim Krul or the crossbar, Captain America floated in a perfect cross for the Frenchman. And just like that, Chelsea took the lead before the break.

Tunnel cam footage released after the game showed Giroud instructing Pulisic exactly how he wanted that play to go. The lofted ball into the box so that Oli could do the rest. Love it when a plan comes together.

The only thing better than seeing the tunnel cam footage of the tactics to deploy this goal was the celebration itself. Not only did Giroud dedicate it to countryman and midfield angel N'Golo Kante. But it was a reference to their Scrabble games together. Scrabble! Other board games are available. It just doesn't get more wholesome than that.

Next up - Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final. Because playing them three times already this season wasn't quite enough. Fourth time a charm?

jb xx


RESULT: Chelsea 1-0 Norwich

GOALS: Giroud 45+3

CHELSEA XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Zouma, Alonso (James 80), Loftus-Cheek (Barkley 67), Jorginho, Kovacic, Willian, Pulisic (Hudson-Odoi), Giroud (Abraham 86)

STAR MAN: Olivier Giroud