Overview

Chelsea waltzed to an emphatic 7-0 win over Norwich City on the back of some of the most clinical finishing we have exhibited over the past few seasons. Almost every decent chance was converted into a goal, squandering only one chance over an xG of 0.25.

The performance could mark a turning point in Chelsea’s season in terms of confidence, for we’ve not had a performance as fluid and smooth as this one in a long while. There was also plenty of food for thought in terms of individual performances and how the selection of certain players positively influences the team balance, even accounting for the fact it was “only” against Norwich City.

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Match statistics

Stats are from fbref and understat.

Note: some statistics on the player charts might not corroborate with those presented in the “stats of note” sections. This is because the stats for the charts are obtained from a different source and not fbref. In most cases, the differences will be minimal. However, for this game, the difference between Opta and fbref seem significant in some categories such as passes into box and progressive passes. It remains to be seen if the difference is an one-off event and what has caused it.

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Individual ratings

Thomas Tuchel

Chose Chelsea’s most dynamic wing-back duo along with Hudson-Odoi in his natural position and was greatly rewarded for it, with the team looking razor sharp in the final third and finding solutions to Norwich’s block. It will be interesting to see if the same attack and wing-back pairing start the next league game as well.

This was perhaps the team’s first completely good performance since the Arsenal game. While we did not create a massive volume of chances, we were very clinical. One can never underestimate the confidence boost a 7-0 win will offer. The aim now is to repeat these performances against other (inferior) teams and build a healthy goal difference.

RATING: 9

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Édouard Mendy — GK

Was not called into action except for one instance where he pulled off a vital save.

Stats of note
1 save
1 cross stopped (2 faced)
2 passes completed over 40 yard (4 attempted)

RATING: 6.5

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Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Reece James — RWB

Scored a terrific goal and looked a constant threat in the final third. While his crossing was not needed, his dynamism and ability to stretch the defence with his running made a big difference.

Stats of note
1 goal
4 tackles - 2nd
2 clearances - 2nd
4 shot-creating actions - Joint 2nd
2 interceptions - Joint 2nd
26 pressures - 3rd

RATING: 7.5

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Trevoh Chalobah — RCB

Progressed the ball very well but was not asked to do much in the way of defending.

Stats of note
10 progressive carries - 2nd
5 passes into final third - Joint 2nd
2 aerial duels won (4 contested) - Joint 2nd
2 tackles - Joint 3rd

RATING: 7

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Thiago Silva — CB

Like Chalobah, Silva was not called into action much and had arguably his easiest afternoon of the season.

Stats of note
11 loose-ball recoveries - 1st
4 aerial duels won (4 contested) - 1st

RATING: 7

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Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Antonio Rüdiger — LCB

Was very involved offensively, both in open play and set pieces. Had his customary attempt to score from distance and it only feels like a matter of time before one goes in.

Stats of note
4 shots - Joint 1st
8 passes into final third - Joint 1st
4 shot-creating actions - Joint 2nd
4 touches in box - Joint 2nd
6 loose-ball recoveries - 3rd

RATING: 7.5

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Ben Chilwell — LWB

Continued his red-hot goalscoring streak — scoring in his fourth consecutive league appearance stretching back to last season. Could have done more in the way of passing and dribbling but it is not a major issue.

Stats of note
1 goal
4 clearances - 2nd
2 aerial duels won (4 contested) - Joint 2nd

RATING: 7

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Jorginho — RCM

Kept play ticking and progressed the ball with minimal fuss. Norwich applied no coherent pressure and Jorginho made full use of it, making merry in his time on the pitch.

Stats of note
1 assist
3 interceptions - 1st
4 shot-creating actions - Joint 2nd
5 passes into final third - Joint 2nd
6 progressive passes - Joint 2nd
7 loose-ball recoveries - 3rd
2 tackles - Joint 3rd

RATING: 7

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Mateo Kovačić — LCM

Would have been the clear player of the match if not for Mount’s hattrick. Looked in majestic passing touch, even creating big chances in the process. Norwich could not get close to him, with his ability to progress the ball with his passing or carrying. The only time they received a respite was when he made mistakes on the ball, of which there were not many.

Stats of note
2 assists
11 progressive passes - 1st
6 tackles - 1st
15 progressive carries - 1st
8 carries into final third - 1st
8 passes into final third - Joint 1st
2 passes into box - Joint 2nd
2 interceptions - Joint 2nd
22 pressures - 3rd

RATING: 9.5

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Mason Mount — RW/R-AM

Roared back into form in the most emphatic way possible. Scored the opener with a rocket from distance and looked very active all game — with and without the ball. While he still is not at the ridiculously high levels he reached last season (for which he still does not get enough credit for) this is a great start to get back to those levels.

Stats of note
3 goals
1 assist
3 passes into box - 1st
32 pressures - 1st
4 shots - Joint 1st
5 touches in box - Joint 1st
8 progressive passes received - 2nd
4 shot-creating actions - Joint 2nd
4 carries into final third - Joint 2nd
2 tackles - Joint 3rd

RATING: 9.5

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Kai Havertz – CF

Arguably the only (minor) disappointment in an exceptional show. Looked atypically quiet in the box and could not get into good positions. However, he has a solid record as a striker for Chelsea and there is no reason to believe why he cannot get back to those levels.

Stats of note
12 progressive passes received - 1st
5 touches in box - Joint 1st
2 carries into box - 2nd
2 interceptions - Joint 2nd

RATING: 6.5

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Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images

Callum Hudson-Odoi – LW/L-AM

Was given a rare start and made full use of it. Looked very direct in carrying the ball into space and picked up most of the ball-progressing burden, even more so than Mount. Most promisingly, he attacked space well without the ball and could have scored even more with proactive passing from midfield. However, he could have been better in 1v1 duels.

Chelsea have needed another final third ball-progressor for some time now, to ease Mount’s burden and to reduce our dependency on him. Ziyech was supposed to be the answer but has underwhelmed. Could Hudson-Odoi help in this regard? Only time (and Tuchel) will tell.

Stats of note
1 goal
3 carries into box - 1st
6 progressive passes - Joint 2nd
2 passes into box - Joint 2nd
4 touches in box - Joint 2nd
4 carries into final third - Joint 2nd
9 progressive carries - 3rd
7 progressive passes received - 3rd
2 tackles - Joint 3rd

RATING: 8

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Substitutes

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (64th minute) – His unselfish decision-making helped Mount secure his hattrick.

Stats of note
1 assist
2 aerial duels won (3 contested) - Joint 2nd
2 tackles - Joint 3rd

Hakim Ziyech (70th minute) – Looked very proactive but could not convert it into end product.

Stats of note
3 successful dribbles (4 attempted) - 1st
3 shots - 2nd
4 shot-creating actions - Joint 2nd

Ross Barkley (70th minute) – Attacked space well to receive a chance in the box but could not convert it — more down to the goalkeeper than him.