Norwich City 1-3 Chelsea: Player ratings as Blues end day of uncertainty with a win

Chelsea's first-team players managed to block out the off-field noise to earn a 3-1 win at Norwich on Thursday.

The Blues had been in the headlines after owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government, plunging the club into uncertainty. However, Thomas Tuchel played down short-term concerns prior to kick-off and his players duly delivered.

Chelsea made the perfect start when Trevoh Chalobah rose highest amid a crowd of Norwich players to meet Mason Mount's corner, and his header gave them a third-minute lead.

Kai Havertz nearly doubled their advantage moments later but Tim Krul's outstretched leg denied his swerving effort, while Timo Werner nearly flicked in the resulting corner.

But Chelsea didn't have to wait too long to find their second of the evening, with Havertz dancing away from the Norwich backline to tee up Mount, who emphatically fired into the roof of Krul's net.

Norwich's first-half chance came when centre-back Christoph Zimmermann made a foray into the Chelsea half, and his speculative strike deflected safely into the arms of Edouard Mendy.

The Blues should have added a third before the half-hour mark when Andreas Christensen's free header somehow went the wrong side of Krul's post.

Dean Smith made two changes at the interval to try and turn fortunes in Norwich's favour but they continued to leak chances, with Mount again testing Krul at his near post.

Chelsea's relaxed approach to the game saw Norwich at least get further up the pitch, but they still failed to trouble the presumably cold and bored figure of Mendy.

The Canaries first real sight at goal in the second period came midway through it as Pukki's deflected shot was pushed away by Mendy, and they were awarded a penalty after a VAR check found that Chalobah handled the ball in the build-up.

Pukki stepped up and slotted home to give Norwich hope of a late comeback in a game they had otherwise been all but out of.

Smith's side had their tails up and were now making a real fist of things, with Pierre Lees-Melou going close as the game entered the final ten minutes.

Chelsea squandered a great chance to totally kill the game when Mount flashed a teasing ball across goal, but neither Havertz or Timo Werner could get a touch on it.

Minutes later, substitute Romelu Lukaku was just unable to keep a cut-back from Ruben Loftus-Cheek on target.

However, Chelsea did manage to land that killer blow through Havertz, who fired into the top corner to secure the three points.

Here are your player ratings.

Norwich City player ratings

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Tim Krul (GK) - 4/10 - Poor guy has to play behind this shambles every week.

Christoph Zimmermann (CB) - 3/10 - Comfortable on the ball but got shredded by countryman Havertz plenty. Brought off after 45 minutes.

Grant Hanley (CB) - 5/10 - Didn't completely embarrass himself. In fact, he made several key tackles and blocks when the chips were down. Good job.

Ozan Kabak (CB) - 5/10 - Looked as clumsy as Frank Spencer in the first half but was much more assured in the second.

2. Wing-backs & midfielders

Max Aarons (RWB) - 5/10 - Had a testing first period but massively improved after the break.

Pierre Lees-Melou (CM) - 4/10 - Got stuck in a few times but that was about it.

Matthias Normann (CM) - 2/10 - Offered no help in trying to control the ball or win it back. Subbed at the break.

Kenny McLean (CM) - 3/10 - Attempted to find off-ball solutions when his team needed him to get on it.

Brandon Williams (LWB) - 3/10 - The highlight of his day will have been the fact people are still laughing at his hug with Christian Eriksen. Pretty bad on the football pitch.

3. Forwards

Teemu Pukki (CF) - 5/10 - Held his nerve from the spot but his involvement was otherwise scarce.

Josh Sargent (CF) - 3/10 - Far too easily beaten by Chalobah for the opener and proceeded to have a forgetful game.

4. Substitutes

Milot Rashica (LW, 46' for Normann) - 5/10 - Looked a little lively but not enough to totally spark a comeback.

Lukas Rupp (CM, 46' for Zimmermann) - 7/10 - Was the catalyst in helping Norwich get back into the contest.

Jonathan Rowe (RW, 84' for Sargent) - N/A

Chelsea player ratings

5. Goalkeeper & defenders

Edouard Mendy (GK) - 5/10 - Made a couple of decent saves. Booked for his failed intimidation of Pukki.

Trevoh Chalobah (CB) - 7/10 - Took his goal well after such a phenomenal leap to get above several Norwich players and his defending was largely exemplary - until he gave away a penalty, changing the complexion of the game.

Thiago Silva (CB) - 7/10 - Norwich gave Silva the freedom to carry the ball forward and ping it cross-field at will.

Andreas Christensen (CB) - 5/10 - His two centre-back partners were the stars, while the Dane enjoyed a quieter game.

6. Wing-backs & midfielders

Cesar Azpilicueta (RWB) - 7/10 - Attacked Norwich with real menace, which probably says a lot more about how bad the Canaries are. Brought off at half-time.

Jorginho (CM) - 6/10 - Norwich allowed him to play the game at his pace in the first half but he found it tougher after the break.

Mateo Kovacic (CM) - 7/10 - While Jorginho was calm in possession, Kovacic was aggressive with the ball despite Chelsea's comfortable lead.

Saul Niguez (LWB) - 6/10 - Slotted in well but Norwich eventually wore him down.

7. Forwards

Mason Mount (RF) - 8/10 - Mount had his fingerprints all over this game, flitting between the lines and across the front three to cause Norwich all sorts of trouble.

Kai Havertz (CF) - 8/10 - A joy to watch. Continually swapped positions with Werner as Chelsea tore Norwich apart at will.

Timo Werner (LF) - 5/10 - Looked menacing but as usual was all bark and no bite.

8. Substitutes

Ruben Loftus-Cheek (RWB, 46' for Azpilicueta) - 6/10 - Looked a natural at wing-back.

Romelu Lukaku (CF, 86' for Werner) - 6/10

N'Golo Kante (CM, 86' for Kovacic) - 7/10 - Grabbed an assist for Havertz.