Move to a more defensive formation and two successive draws increased positivity at Norwich City but mauling at Stamford Bridge sees that come crashing down

Recap of the loss at Stamford Bridge, who is to blame for Norwich's poor form and who the Canaries play next

  • Match recap

Chelsea were top of the league coming into this with Norwich bottom and the gaping chasm in class was evident in abundance in this complete mismatch. In recent times, the Yellows have looked slightly more defensively sound with two 0-0 draws against Burnley away and then at home against Brighton and Hove Albion. That was not the case here. 

Every single time Chelsea attacked they looked like they might score and that had as much to do with their attacking prowess and intelligent movement as it did with Norwich's complete lack of ability and desire to do the basics correctly in West London. A consistent theme throughout was a lack of pressing against Chelsea's midfield which allowed them to do whatever it was they wanted to do. 

The hosts took the lead in the seventh minute when Mason Mount scored the opener from the edge of the box and were 2-0 up in the 18th minute when Callum Hudson-Odoi had all the time in the world to slot home and did so with an expertly taken strike.

Chelsea's third goal came just before half time when right back Reece James fired home inside the area. 

As bad as the first half was, the second was arguably even worse. Ben Chillwell scored with a great effort to make it 4-0 before a Max Aarons own goal just after the hour mark made it five. 

Ben Gibson compounded Norwich's misery when he was sent off for a second yellow with twenty five minutes to play. He will now miss the next game against Leeds.

The final two goals came in the final ten minutes. Mount had initially seen his penalty saved by Tim Krul but the Dutch goalkeeper was correctly judged by VAR to have been off his line and when the spot kick was retaken, Mount finished it with aplomb for his second of the game. Mount scored his third and Chelsea's 7th in the 91st minute. 

Embed from Getty Images Teemu Pukki sums up how it feels to be a Norwich City supporter this season. Getty Images: Photo credit Shaun Botterill.

  • Who is to blame for Norwich's poor form?

Prior to this season, Daniel Farke signed a new four year contract at Carrow Road and in the summer the Club signed a plethora of new players worth around £50 million following the sale of Emiliano Buendia to Aston Villa for around £35 million. Despite the investment into the team Norwich's start to this season has resulted in just two points, two goals and a goal difference of minus twenty one. 

The question seems to be - amongst those connected to Norwich City- is who or what is to blame for the results this season. 

Naturally the first person at a Club who gets the blame when in a poor run of form is the manager and it's a viewpoint that can easily be sympathised with.

Last time in the Premier League, Norwich at least had a way of playing, yes the team only finished on 21 points and were miles adrift at the bottom of the table but at the very least there was an identity to the teams play- there isnt even that now. The fans called the football on show "FarkeBall" with the team set up in a 4231 and playing fast attacking footall but that has completely gone. Although given the "naive" tag last time it's understandable that defensive resolve has been sought if not actually achieved given the 23 goals conceded in 9 games this season. 

The lack of wealth of the owners compared to virtually every other side in the Premier League is something that has to be taken into account as well. This season aside (because of the Buendia sale and the finance generated), Norwich are regularly bottom of the table when it comes to money spent. That is more of a football issue and Premier League in particular but the quality of player Norwich can sign compared to teams they're competing with has got to be taken into account.

At any other Club- even with the context of the Board's lack of money compared to the rest of the Premier League, a run of poor form like Norwich are on would result in a managerial change- it remains to be seen how long Daniel Farke has to try and turn this around.

  • Norwich's next game 

The Canaries take on Leeds United at Carrow Road on Sunday October 31st- kick off at 2pm. This game will be broadcast on Sky Sports.