PRE-MATCH BRIEFING: CHELSEA V NORWICH CITY
The seven-game burst of games between international breaks comes to a halt as we entertain East Anglian opposition this weekend. Club historian Rick Glanvill and club statistician Paul Dutton study Saturday's fixture…
TALKING POINTS
The defending champions jolted back on track in the Champions League in midweek, but as we head into another international break it is further success in the Barclays Premier League that occupies everyone's minds. Roberto Di Matteo's side are targeting a fifth straight win, something not achieved since the six in August/September 2010.
David Luiz's sublime strike in the 4-0 win over Nordsjaelland brought our second direct free-kick goal in four days - an improvement on just one in all competitions last season (Frank Lampard's in the semi-final slaughter of Tottenham).
It was our highest scoring away win in Europe since Rosenborg in November 2007. The Brazuca himself said afterwards that - with the Blues top of the Premier League and the Champions League - 'everyone is happy at the moment.'
Though fine words butter no cherivia in October, stylish, resilient performances are convincing evidence that the integration of new young players is proceeding well, with the Spanish and Brazilians contributing significantly.
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While the Blues are in better shape at the opening of any campaign since the Double season, Norwich are enduring their worst ever start in the top flight.
City's slice of Rio is the playing of 'Samba De Janeiro' to klaxon each home goal. The bateria's drumming had a hollow ring when they pulled goals back while being battered by Liverpool 2-5. On the plus side they doubled their league tally with firsts of the campaign for strikers Steve Morison and Grant Holt.
Three of the same back five used on Saturday also shipped five on their most recent visit to west London, the opening day of the season at Fulham. Absent from both drubbings was ex-Spur Sebastien Bassong, who may be back this weekend.
Eleven goals have been conceded in his absence, against just two when he has been on the pitch.
This time last season the Canaries were perched proudly in the top half of the table. Early in the campaign they had clawed back to 1-1 at the Bridge and played well until John Ruddy's late dismissal helped the Blues ease to a 3-1 victory.
Chris Hughton has since replaced the popular Paul Lambert and after some swift, strident changes is searching for the right formation for the best players available.
Before last weekend's setback their games were low scoring at both ends. Having shipped five, Hughton will be looking for a strong reaction from his players. Perhaps he could venture a, 'Come on! Let's be 'avin' you!' Or is that a recipe for disaster?
This will be Chelsea's 12th game of the season, three more than City. Already 13 different Blues players have hit the net, just two fewer than the whole of the last season. Seven of the last ten goals have been scored by a Spaniard.
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Barclays Premier League fixtures
Saturday
Manchester City v Sunderland 12.45pm - Sky Sports
Chelsea v Norwich 3pm
Swansea v Reading 3pm
West Brom v QPR 3pm
Wigan v Everton 3pm
West Ham v Arsenal 5.30pm - ESPN
Sunday
Southampton v Fulham 1.30pm - Sky Sports
Liverpool v Stoke 3pm
Tottenham v Aston Villa 3pm
Newcastle v Manchester United 4pm - Sky Sports
| Barclays Premier League table | ||||
| Top | Pld | Gd | Pts | |
| 1 | Chelsea | 6 | 8 | 16 |
| 2 | Everton | 6 | 6 | 13 |
| 3 | Man Utd | 6 | 5 | 12 |
| 4 | Man City | 6 | 4 | 12 |
| 5 | Tottenham | 6 | 3 | 11 |
| Bottom | ||||
| 16 | Wigan | 6 | -6 | 4 |
| 17 | Southampton | 6 | -8 | 3 |
| 18 | Norwich | 6 | -9 | 3 |
| 19 | Reading | 5 | -5 | 2 |
| 20 | QPR | 5 | -9 | 2 |
Premier League Golden Glove
Clean Sheets
Cech (Chelsea) 4
Foster (West Brom) 3
Jaaskelainen (West Ham) 3
Click on tabs above for more briefing.
